During the 1950s, two countries fought together during the Korean War under the United Nations Command.

[4] To institutionalize these visits, in 1997 the two nations agreed to hold regular Policy Consultative Meetings,[6] where working groups focused on particular subjects of the relationship convene to negotiate shared rules and regulations.

[4] In 2005, Seoul hosted the Korea–South Africa Joint Committee on Science and Technology to promote cross-border scientific collaboration.

[4] South Africa largely exports unprocessed minerals, like ferro-chromium or platinum; semi-processed inputs like steel; and foodstuffs like sugar.

[4] Two growing areas of modern exchange include green energy, where South Korean and South African firms exchange solar energy and rare earth elements,[8] and bilateral investment.