Korean Prime Minister's 'Marathon' of Bilateral Talks with 14 Countries... Aggressive Busan Sales Campaign

Caricom 14-Country Bilateral Talks Marathon
Sharing Korea's Compressed Growth Know-How with the World
Strengthening Mutual Cooperation with Caricom Member States

Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, who embarked on a tour to promote the Busan Expo, is carrying out a rigorous schedule by arranging bilateral meetings with all 14 CARICOM (Caribbean Community) member countries.

On the 3rd (local time), Prime Minister Han attended the opening ceremony of the CARICOM summit and held individual meetings with the 14 CARICOM member countries over the next two days before departing for Panama on the 5th. The bilateral meetings were tightly scheduled as follows: two countries (Trinidad and Tobago, Suriname) on the 3rd, five countries (Guyana, Commonwealth of Dominica, Jamaica, Bahamas, Antigua and Barbuda) on the 4th, and seven countries (Saint Kitts and Nevis, Barbados, Belize, Haiti, Saint Lucia, Saint Vincent and the Grenadines, Grenada) on the 5th.

CARICOM is an economic community with 13 member countries registered with the International Bureau of Expositions (BIE), representing the largest voting bloc in Latin America for the 2030 Expo bid. This is the first time a South Korean Prime Minister has attended a CARICOM summit.

(Photo provided by the Prime Minister's Office)

CARICOM Member States Sympathize with Korea’s Message of Sharing Development Know-how

Through the bilateral meetings, Prime Minister Han mentioned that CARICOM member countries have advanced regional integration in various fields such as economic integration, foreign policy, and socio-cultural areas over the past half-century. He also requested the continuous interest and support of CARICOM leaders so that Korea can be a strong partner in CARICOM’s new 50-year journey.

CARICOM leaders resonated with Prime Minister Han’s message of giving back to the international community by sharing Korea’s development experience and know-how, which overcame poverty and achieved remarkable growth with the help of the post-war international community. They also expressed hope for mutually beneficial cooperation between Korea and CARICOM countries in various fields such as climate change, agriculture, marine affairs, renewable energy, and digital government.

South Korean Prime Minister Announces ‘Plan to Strengthen Korea-CARICOM Cooperation’

(Photo provided by the Prime Minister's Office)

On the 3rd, Prime Minister Han announced the ‘Plan to Strengthen Korea-CARICOM Cooperation’ at the CARICOM summit. The plan includes ▲ strengthening networks and communication channels ▲ expanding practical cooperation in Caribbean regional priority areas such as climate change response, marine and fisheries, food security, and renewable energy ▲ expanding institutional foundations for tailored development cooperation ▲ sharing Korea’s development experience by sector and enhancing technology transfer. CARICOM leaders welcomed Prime Minister Han’s concrete presentation of the direction for developing relations with the Caribbean.

On the morning of the 4th, the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries of Korea and the Caribbean Community signed a ‘Memorandum of Understanding on Marine Science Cooperation.’ Prime Minister Han also held a meeting with Rodolfo Sabonge, Secretary-General of CARICOM. Additionally, he hosted a dinner meeting to encourage overseas Koreans. He stated, “The Korean community in Trinidad and Tobago, which began when our fisheries companies established a deep-sea fishing base in 1971, has been exemplary in its activities,” and added, “We will continue to strengthen support to enhance the rights and interests of overseas Koreans through the Overseas Koreans Office, launched last June.”

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