Prime Minister Han's Tour of Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina... Summits with Leaders of Three Countries

[Asia Economy Sejong=Reporter Kim Hyewon] Prime Minister Han Duck-soo is embarking on a tour of Latin America.

The Prime Minister's Office announced on the 5th that Prime Minister Han is scheduled to depart on the afternoon of the 9th for a 7-night, 9-day official bilateral visit to three countries?Chile, Uruguay, and Argentina?from the 9th to the 17th.

Accompanying the Prime Minister on this trip are Cho Hyundong, First Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, Park Seonggeun, Chief Secretary to the Prime Minister, Ahn Seongil, Director General of the New Trade Order Strategy Office at the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy, and Park Jungwook, Head of the 2030 Busan World Expo Bid Support Group, among others.

Prime Minister Han will hold talks with the heads of state of the three countries. At these meetings, he plans to present the Yoon Seok-yeol administration’s vision for Korea-Latin America joint prosperity and emphasize South Korea’s capabilities and the government’s commitment to successfully hosting the 2030 Busan World Expo.

This year marks the 60th anniversary since South Korea, which had diplomatic relations with only 27 countries in 1962, established diplomatic ties with 15 Latin American countries including Chile and Argentina. The Prime Minister's Office stated, "This Prime Minister’s tour is expected to contribute to realizing South Korea as a global pivotal state by strengthening our cooperation network with Latin America." It added, "In a situation where uncertainties in global supply chains, including key items and energy, are increasing, this will be an opportunity to solidify practical cooperation with major Latin American countries, which are resource-rich nations and key partners in our economic security diplomacy."

Prime Minister Han will officially visit Chile, South Korea’s first Free Trade Agreement (FTA) partner country (FTA effective since 2004) and a major ally in Latin America, from the 10th to the 12th. This is the first visit by a South Korean head of state to Chile in seven years.

He will meet with President Boric and hold an official luncheon to exchange views on deepening the “Comprehensive Cooperation Partnership for Joint Prosperity in the 21st Century” between the two countries, which are celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year.

Additionally, he will deliver a keynote speech at the special session of the United Nations Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (ECLAC), presenting a vision for a major leap forward in Korea-Latin America relations, and will preside over meetings with Chilean National Congress members, overseas Koreans, and Korean businesses operating there.

Next, Prime Minister Han will officially visit Uruguay, a representative democratic country in Latin America and the Mercosur chair country in the second half of this year, from the 12th to the 13th. This is the first visit by a South Korean head of state to Uruguay in 11 years.

He will meet with President Lacalle to establish a high-level network to strengthen economic and trade relations with Latin America and discuss ways to enhance practical cooperation between the two countries.

Finally, Prime Minister Han will make an official bilateral visit to Argentina, a traditional leader in South America and a resource and food powerhouse, from the 13th to the 15th. This is the first official bilateral visit by a South Korean head of state to Argentina in 18 years.

He will meet with President Fern?ndez and hold an official luncheon to discuss cooperation in economic security and other fields on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations, and will also participate in a meeting with Korean and Argentine businesspeople.

During stopovers, Prime Minister Han will preside over meetings with overseas Koreans and Korean businesses in Houston, and on the return trip in Atlanta, he will host roundtable discussions with companies in the automotive and battery sectors, visit renewable energy companies, and hold meetings with overseas Koreans.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.