The South Korean government announced that it has established diplomatic relations with Cuba in Central America, a friendly country of North Korea. South Korean media have reported that the two countries proceeded with behind-the-scenes negotiations in consideration of the possibility of interference by North Korea.
According to an announcement by the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the missions of South Korea and Cuba to the United Nations agreed on the 14th in New York, USA, to establish diplomatic relations.
Exchanges between the two countries ceased after the Cuban Revolution in 1959, but in 2016, the then South Korean foreign minister visited Cuba and expressed his desire to establish diplomatic relations.
Furthermore, in June of last year, after the Yun Sung-ryul administration took office, South Korea announced that it would provide $300,000 in humanitarian aid to Cuba, which had suffered severe damage from heavy rains. It was showing.
On the other hand, Cuba is a friendly country of North Korea, and according to South Korean news agency Yonhap News, the two countries have proceeded with negotiations behind the scenes, taking into consideration the possibility of opposition and interference from North Korea.
The South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs says that the two sides will discuss opening an embassy in the future, emphasizing that the two countries will "prepare the foundation for expanding economic cooperation and supporting business expansion between the two countries."