▲ The Picture of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (Photo from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

   On February 14, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs publicly stated that South Korea had established diplomatic relations with Cuba, a Latin American country. The establishment of diplomatic arrangements between the two nations progressed in strict secrecy to the extent that only a few authorities within the Ministry of Foreign Affairs were privy to the details. South Korea now has formal ties with every United Nations member state except Syria, bringing their total to 193. This opens the door for the Ministry of Foreign Affairs to expand diplomatic efforts and foster practical economic cooperation throughout Latin America.

▲ A Flag of Korea and Cuba (Photo from NEWNEEK)

   Despite its long-standing relationship with North Korea, Cuba decided to establish diplomatic ties with South Korea due to a confluence of factors. The growing popularity of Korean culture (the 'Korean Wave') and the influx of South Korean tourists strengthened positive feelings between the two nations, creating a more receptive environment for diplomacy. However, the most significant driver appears to be Cuba's economic struggles. The country has been grappling with severe inflation since 2021, likely prompting them to seek new economic opportunities, which South Korea potentially offers. The collapse of tourism due to COVID-19 overlapped with a shortage of food and electricity, which needs to be solved through international cooperation. Most Cubans who heard the news responded with optimism, hoping this relationship would help revive the economy. South Korea also guesses the possibility of Cuba as an emerging market and expects overseas expansions of Korean businesses of daily necessities, electronics, and generators. Additionally, Cuba's world-class medical-bioindustry presents potential for collaboration with South Korean professionals in this field.

▲ A Gas Line in Havana, Cuba (Photo from Yonhap News)

   Cuba and North Korea have maintained strong political and military ties throughout three generations of North Korean leadership, their relationship rooted in the Cold War ideologies of anti-Americanism and anti-imperialism that solidified after Cuba adopted a socialist regime. Therefore, it appears that the relations between South Korea and Cuba would have come as a big shock to North Korea. However, North Korea, already facing significant diplomatic isolation, did not take Cuba's move to establish relations with South Korea passively.

   The establishment of diplomatic ties between South Korea and Cuba marks a shift in inter-Korean relations. While this positive cooperation between Korea and Cuba bodes well for both nations, the potential political and psychological impact on North Korea cannot be ignored. South Korea may leverage this development strategically in future interactions with the North.