HAVANA.- Five months after the historic restoration of diplomatic relations, Cuba y South Korea are taking concrete steps toward opening embassies in each other’s territories. This move marks a significant milestone in the international relations of both countries, symbolizing a generational shift in Cuban foreign policy and strengthening Seoul’s influence in Latin America.
According to the Cuban political scientist Arthur Lopez-Levy“This change reflects a shift in Cuban foreign policy since Miguel Díaz-Canel took power in 2018, succeeding Raúl Castro.” This latest move also marks a distancing from the historic bond between Cuba and North Koreaevidencing a renewed focus on broader cooperation with dynamic economies such as South Korea.
Since the early 2000s, Cuba and South Korea have cultivated a nascent trade relationship, although Havana’s historic partnership with Pyongyang limited its development. According to data from the Korea Trade Association, South Korean exports to Cuba reached $14 million in 2022, with brands such as Hyundai, Kia, Samsung and LG standing out in Cuban daily life.
The North Korean factor
The restoration of diplomatic relations between Cuba and South Korea has been a pending issue for years, with both sides holding negotiations under strict confidentiality. According to South Korean diplomatic sources who preferred to remain anonymous, “previous attempts to restore relations were hampered by pressure from North Korea.” Senior Cuban leaders of the old guard also showed reluctance due to political commitments rooted in the era of Fidel Castro and Kim Il-sung.
The North Korean embassy in Havana has been a focal point of Pyongyang’s diplomatic activity in the Americas, symbolizing its influence in the region. According to a former Havana official who spoke on condition of anonymity, “it seems that there was some kind of commitment dating back to the time of Fidel Castro and Kim Il-sung not to take that step.” This move by South Korea to establish an embassy in the Cuban capital not only strengthens its ties with the island, but also represents a symbolic challenge to North Korea at a time of geopolitical tensions.
Economically, ties between Cuba and South Korea have intensified, with South Korean exports to Cuba valued at $14 million in 2022, according to the Korean Trade Association. According to political scientist and former Cuban diplomat Carlos Alzugaray, “this would be good for the Cuban economy and if, for example, a South Korean company is interested in investing in Cuba, it now has the green light from the South Korean government.”
For South Korea, according to the report BBCThe opening of an embassy in Cuba not only represents a strategic opportunity in the Caribbean, but also a step towards expanding its cultural and diplomatic influence in Latin America.
Prospects and mutual benefits
The establishment of embassies marks a significant milestone in the foreign policy of both countries, heralding a new chapter in their bilateral relations that promises mutual economic and cultural benefits. According to researcher Kim Jong-won of South Korea’s Institute for National Security Strategy, “the resumption of these ties represents a setback for Pyongyang, which must have been in shock at seeing the establishment of relations between its southern neighbor and Cuba.”
For his part, Cuban diplomat Carlos Alzugaray stressed that “ties with South Korea would allow Cuba to request donations or advantageous loans from its new diplomatic partner.” He also added that “South Korea is one of the countries with a more developed program and financial resources to provide development cooperation, import credits and technical assistance.”
Source: With information from AFP and BBC
