Sudan hopes for a rush of South Korean companies into its mining industry, the African country's top envoy in Seoul said.

"(We) expect South Korean firms to participate in gold mining businesses (in Sudan)," Amb. Mohamed Abdelaal said in a recent interview at his office Wednesday.

Sudan has plenty of natural resources and produced more than 65 tons of gold last year alone, he noted.

"The amount is expected to reach 100 tons this year," the ambassador said.

He also raised the importance of more exchanges between the two nations in various fields.

There are many Korean cars on the roads of Sudan and a lot of people there use smartphones made by Samsung or LG, but they do not know much about Koreans, who have achieved rapid economic development, he said.

"This year, our embassy plans to push for more cultural exchanges," he said.

As to North Korea's fourth nuclear test, he said Sudan "does not take the side of any country" that makes such a provocative act.

Sudan forged diplomatic ties with North Korea in 1969 and South Korea in 1977.(Yonhap)