Presidential Office: "Korea-Cuba Diplomatic Relations Complete Anti-Socialist Diplomacy... Inevitable Blow to North Korea"

On the 15th, the Presidential Office evaluated the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Cuba as "the culmination of diplomacy toward the socialist bloc, including former Eastern Bloc countries and North Korea's friendly states." It suggested that North Korea's diplomatic isolation will deepen further as Cuba, which had maintained a 'brotherly diplomatic relationship' with North Korea, has now established ties with South Korea.

A senior official from the Presidential Office told reporters at the Yongsan Presidential Office on the same day, "This diplomatic establishment clearly shows the prevailing trend in the flow of history and who holds the momentum," explaining the situation. Earlier, South Korea and Cuba agreed to establish diplomatic relations on the 14th in New York, in the form of an exchange of views at their respective missions to the United Nations.

The senior official referred to Cuba's long-standing designation as North Korea's 'brother country,' stating, "That is an accurate description. Therefore, this diplomatic establishment is expected to deal a significant political and psychological blow to North Korea."

The late Fidel Castro, former Chairman of the Cuban Council of State, visited North Korea in 1986, during which he and then Chairman Kim Il-sung signed the North Korea-Cuba Friendship Treaty, which included the term 'brotherly solidarity relationship.'

In March 2022, North Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs highlighted meetings between the Kim Il-sung and Kim Jong-un father-son duo and the late Chairman Castro on its website, emphasizing a friendly relationship based on "revolutionary principles, comradely loyalty, and socialist principles."

The official assessed this diplomatic establishment by saying, "As South Korea aims to become a global pivotal state and its role in the international community rises, along with the Korean Wave, the Cuban people's interest and favorable feelings toward South Korea have increased, playing a positive role."

Despite Cuba's sanctions by the United States, it has established diplomatic relations with about 190 countries and serves as a Latin American hub with over 100 embassies in its capital, Havana. However, due to its relationship with North Korea, it had not established ties with South Korea until now, when it could no longer deny South Korea's international status and role.

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The Yoon Suk-yeol administration has made considerable efforts to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba. The official explained, "This is the result of close cooperation and multifaceted efforts among related ministries, including the National Security Office and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," adding, "For two years, we have continuously conducted behind-the-scenes work and diplomatic efforts to establish ties with Cuba."

He continued, "Last year, our Foreign Minister met three times with high-ranking Cuban officials, and the Ambassador to Mexico has been negotiating the establishment of diplomatic relations, having visited Cuba to consult with authorities. There were also multiple contacts at the director and deputy director levels."

The official also emphasized that humanitarian aid was provided when Cuba faced difficulties such as the fuel storage facility explosion (August 2022), heavy rain damage (June last year), and food shortages (early this year), while cultural exchanges continued, including a special Korean film screening at the Havana Film Festival.

In response to a reporter's question about whether Cuba's U.S. sanctions affect the issuance of the Electronic System for Travel Authorization (ESTA) for Koreans traveling to the U.S., the official replied, "Since January 2021, those who have visited Cuba or hold dual nationality with Cuba must obtain a separate visa," adding, "This is not only a problem for our country but is due to the U.S.'s own ESTA operating regulations."

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