Expanding Diplomatic Foundations in Latin America... Ministry of Foreign Affairs Establishes Public-Private Cooperation System

[Asia Economy Reporter Lim Cheol-young] On the 2nd, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs signed a memorandum of understanding on mutual cooperation with four Latin American research institutions, including the Korea University Institute of Spanish and Latin American Studies, Busan University of Foreign Studies Latin America Center, Seoul National University Latin American Institute, and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Latin America Institute.

Based on the memorandum of understanding signed this time, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Latin America Division and domestic Latin American research institutions agreed to concretize cooperation in areas such as △ consultations on Latin American affairs and policy advice, △ support for the advancement of our future generations into Latin America, △ activation of academic and human exchanges, and △ sharing of information and materials related to Latin America.

Hwang Kyung-tae, Director of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' Latin America Division, stated, "The four institutions that signed the agreement are Korea's representative Latin American research institutions, regularly publishing academic journals and leading the development of Latin American studies," adding, "If each institution closely cooperates based on the human resources, knowledge, information, and experience they possess, it will create great synergy not only in promoting Latin American regional studies at domestic universities but also in establishing the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' diplomatic policies toward Latin America."

This is the first time the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has signed a memorandum of understanding with domestic academic and research institutions specializing in Latin American regional studies, and this agreement is expected to further activate public diplomacy and citizen diplomacy related to Latin America.