WASHINGTON - South Korea has officially established diplomatic relations with Cuba, a move announced by its mission to the United Nations on Wednesday. The historic step was taken in New York, where representatives of both nations to the United Nations exchanged diplomatic notes, signifying the formal commencement of ties. This development positions Cuba as the 193rd country with which South Korea has established diplomatic relations.
According to Yonhap News Agency, the decision is the result of Seoul's persistent efforts to forge a formal relationship with Cuba and extend its diplomatic presence in Central and South America. This initiative is supported by increasing cultural and people-to-people exchanges between the two nations. Despite Cuba's official recognition of South Korea in 1949, interactions between the two were virtually halted following Fidel Castro's rise to power in 1959. In contrast, Cuba has maintained close relations with North Korea since 1960, rooted in their shared history as Cold War-era allies.
Experts suggest that the establishment of official relations between Seoul and Havana may further isolate Pyongyang by pressuring the North Korean regime to abandon its antagonistic behavior and reengage in dialogue. The mission emphasized that the decision aligns with the principles of the United Nations Charter, International Law, and the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 1961.
The establishment of diplomatic ties comes at a time of heightened tensions between North and South Korea, with North Korea's recent missile tests underlining the strained relationship. The South Korean government, led by President Yoon Suk Yeol, has pursued diplomatic relations with Cuba discreetly, mindful of the longstanding ties between Havana and Pyongyang.
Observers note that the move is driven by mutual interests: Cuba's desire for deeper economic and cultural connections with Asia's fourth-largest economy and Seoul's ambition to enhance its global stature. The South Korean foreign ministry anticipates that this new relationship will serve as a pivotal moment in strengthening its diplomatic efforts in Central and South America.
Looking ahead, South Korea plans to actively collaborate with Cuba on subsequent steps, including the mutual establishment of diplomatic missions. This partnership is expected to lay the groundwork for expanded bilateral economic cooperation and assist South Korean businesses in entering the Cuban market.
The push for closer ties with Havana has been more than two decades in the making, gaining momentum with South Korea's support for a U.N. resolution to end the trade embargo against Cuba in 1999 and further highlighted by a historic visit by the South Korean Foreign Minister to Cuba in 2016. The recent diplomatic efforts were amplified at the Association of Caribbean States summit in Guatemala last May, showcasing the Yoon administration's commitment to engaging with Cuba on various international platforms.
In Cuba, the growing interest in South Korean culture is evidenced by "ArtCor," a community of approximately 10,000 fans of Korean pop culture. Additionally, a festival showcasing Cuban films in Seoul in 2022 highlighted the reciprocal interest in cultural exchange. With the establishment of formal diplomatic relations with Cuba, Syria remains the only U.N. member state without diplomatic ties with Seoul.