Korea will push for trade agreements with African nations, while working to deepen ties in supply chains for critical minerals and manufacturing, Seoul's vice trade minister said Monday. "Amid challenges in the global trade environment, the collaboration between Korea and Africa serves as a wise choice that can foster growth for both sides and turn crises into an opportunities," Vice Trade Minister Park Jung-sung said in his opening remarks for the Korea-Africa forum on trade and industrial cooperation, according to his office. Park added that the government will actively push for trade agreements with African countries and "boost supply chain cooperation in critical minerals and the manufacturing sector." Monday's forum in Seoul was attended by some 100 officials from both sides, including foreign envoys from 12 African nations and business figures, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources.