Forum marks first year of formalizing South Korea's diplomatic relations with Cuba

SEOUL, August 12 (AJP) - Academic scholars, diplomats and other government officials gathered for a forum at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul on Monday.

Hosted by the university's Institute of Latin American Studies, the forum was held to celebrate the formalization of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Cuba about a year ago, with participants discussing ways to strengthen bilateral cooperation.

The two countries barely knew each other until the early 1950s when Havana provided assistance during the 1950-53 Korean War, though short-lived diplomatic relations were severed soon after the Cuban Revolution in 1959. But mutual exchanges resumed in the late 1990s as the Caribbean country adopted a more pragmatic foreign policy.

A breakthrough then came in February 2024, when the two countries agreed to establish formal relations, followed by the opening of embassies in Havana in January and in Seoul in June this year.

"This year has truly been a historic moment for both of our nations," said Cuban Ambassador to Seoul Claudio Monzón in his congratulatory remarks. "While we have already expanded cooperation in various fields, I believe there is still much more to be done. Academic cooperation such as this forum is one of the most important avenues for building our relationship."

"Agriculture and energy sectors are the two key areas with the greatest potential for cooperation with Cuba," said Han Byung-gil, president of the Korean Council on Latin America and the Caribbean (KCLAC). "Cuba's historical and cultural familiarity with Latin American countries like Brazil could offer valuable insights, which we can adapt into a model suited for South Korea," he added.

Many participants also expressed their hope that the forum would serve as a foundation for long-term collaboration between the two countries.

Im Yoon-seo lyseo0330@ajupress.com