Agreement on Establishing Korea-Cuba Resident Diplomatic Mission: "Installation of Interim Office as a Transitional Step"

Negotiations on Establishing a Diplomatic Mission During Visit to Cuba from 24th to 27th
Temporary Office Set Up in Havana, Staff Dispatched for Opening

On February 18th (local time), the Cuban flag was fluttering in the wind at Antonio Maceo Park in Havana, Cuba. [Image source=Yonhap News]

South Korea and Cuba have agreed to establish resident diplomatic missions and exchanged diplomatic notes to this effect. As an interim step, the government decided to set up a temporary office in Havana, the capital of Cuba.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on the 28th, "A South Korean government delegation led by Planning Officer Song Si-jin visited Cuba from the 24th to the 27th and discussed the establishment of resident diplomatic missions with the Cuban side."

The Ministry explained, "Both countries agreed to establish resident diplomatic missions in Seoul and Havana, respectively," and "exchanged diplomatic notes confirming this agreement."

As an intermediate step in establishing the missions, the Ministry plans to set up a temporary office in Havana and dispatch personnel for the mission establishment.

The Ministry added, "Based on this agreement, our government will continue to consult with the Cuban side to ensure that the South Korean embassy in Cuba can be opened as soon as possible."

Earlier, in February, the two countries agreed to establish ambassador-level diplomatic relations through the exchange of diplomatic notes between their permanent missions to the United Nations in New York.

Cuba is a communist country and has been called a 'brother country' to North Korea. It has never officially established diplomatic relations with South Korea before.