South African Ambassador Urges BTS Inclusion on Arirang Tour While Promoting Diplomatic Initiatives
Updated (2 articles)
Ambassador Mququ Requests BTS Appearance for Cultural Outreach In an interview with Yonhap, Ambassador Mququ said she wants BTS to join the upcoming Arirang world tour, describing the request as a “big assignment” and asking for connections to the group, even though South Africa is not currently on the itinerary [1]. She emphasized that securing the K‑pop act would boost cultural ties between the two nations [1].
Arirang Tour Schedule Launches April 9, Excludes South Africa BTS’s world tour begins on April 9 in South Korea and will travel to 34 cities, including Tokyo, Mexico City, Madrid and London [1]. The official schedule lists no South African stops, prompting the ambassador’s appeal [1].
Diplomatic Anniversary Plans Include South African Artists in Korea To mark 35 years of diplomatic relations, Mququ announced plans to invite South African musicians to perform in Korea, citing soprano Pretty Yende as a featured artist [1]. The cultural exchange is intended to complement the broader bilateral agenda [1].
Ambassador Highlights Critical Minerals Investment Opportunities Mququ pointed out South Africa’s leading production of platinum, manganese and chromium, urging Korean firms to localize operations and create jobs through industrial innovation [1]. She linked mineral investment to broader economic cooperation between the two countries [1].
South Africa Comments on U.S. G20 Exclusion and Global Balancing The ambassador expressed regret over President Trump’s decision to bar South Africa from the 2026 G20 summit in Florida, while reaffirming commitment to G20 principles [1]. She described the United States as a strategic partner after China and stressed realistic engagement with all major powers [1].
Timeline
2010 – Lula makes his last visit to South Korea to attend the G20 summit, marking a 16‑year gap before his next planned state visit [2].
June 2025 – Lula and South Korean President Lee Jae Myung meet on the sidelines of the G7 summit in Canada, establishing a diplomatic link that later leads to a formal invitation [2].
Nov 2025 – During the G20 summit in Johannesburg, President Lee formally invites President Lula to a state visit to South Korea, continuing dialogue from the earlier G7 encounter [2].
2025 – South Korea and South Africa celebrate 35 years of diplomatic relations, prompting plans to feature South African artists such as soprano Pretty Yende in Korea as part of the anniversary [1].
Feb 5, 2026 – President Lula accepts President Lee’s invitation for a state visit, with both sides coordinating details and announcing that the schedule will be finalized later [2].
Feb 12, 2026 – Ambassador Mququ tells Yonhap she wants BTS on the Arirang world tour, calling the request a “big assignment” and seeking connections to add South Africa to the itinerary [1].
Feb 12, 2026 – Ambassador Mququ urges Korean firms to localize production of South Africa’s critical minerals—platinum, manganese, chromium—highlighting job‑creation potential through industrial innovation [1].
Feb 12, 2026 – Mququ comments on U.S. policy, noting regret over President Trump’s decision to bar South Africa from the 2026 G20 in Florida, yet stresses that South Africa “is not naive about its relationship with the U.S.” while balancing ties with China [1].
Apr 9, 2026 – BTS’s Arirang world tour launches in South Korea, visiting 34 cities including Tokyo, Mexico City, Madrid and London, but South Africa remains absent from the schedule [1].
2026 (planned) – Lula’s state visit to South Korea is expected later in the year, pending final scheduling, to deepen trade ties as Brazil remains South Korea’s top South American partner [2].