▲ South Korea announced the sudden establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba, often known as North Korea's comrade nation (Source: Korea Economic Institute)

South Korea has established diplomatic ties with Cuba. On the late night of February 14, surprising news was announced that the UN representative from the two countries had agreed to establish an ambassador- level diplomatic relationship. The Cuban foreign ministry also issued a statement and announced the establishment of diplomatic and consular relations. Cuba, formerly the only country in Central and South America without diplomatic relations with South Korea, became the 193rd country to establish diplomatic relations with South Korea. The new announcement between Cuba, known as a “comrade nation” to North Korea, and South Korea is expected to come as a significant shock to North Korea.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs of South Korea stated, “The establishment of diplomatic ties with Cuba is an important turning point for enhancing our diplomacy in Central and South America.” The ministry further expressed, “It is expected to contribute to expanding our diplomatic horizon as a global central country.” The cultural exchanges, interpersonal interactions, and development cooperation between South Korea and Cuba in non- political fields have also appeared to be significant factors behind this establishment of diplomatic relations. In recent years, there has been a significant enhancement of amity between the people of both countries, largely influenced by the spread of Hallyu (K- Wave) within Cuba and the increasing number of Korean tourists visiting Cuba. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs stated, “We’re planning to actively discuss follow- up measures such as the establishment of mutual resident embassies with the Cuban government in the future.”

The exchange between the two countries ceased after the Cuban Communist Revolution in 1959. The next year, in 1960, Cuba established diplomatic ties with North Korea and made an intimate relationship that usually referred to themselves as “comrade” countries. North Korea has emphasized its solidarity with Cuba, portraying them as ‘fellow fighters against the United States.’ Indeed, the North Korean Workers' Party organ, the Rodong Sinmun, frequently covers news related to Cuba, and Kim Jong- Un, the Chairman of the State Affairs Commission, regularly sends congratulatory messages to Cuban President Miguel Díaz- Canel on various occasions. This underscores North Korea's ongoing efforts to reaffirm its friendly relations with Cuba.

Therefore, this establishment is expected to be a massive diplomatic blow to North Korea, which is increasingly isolated by the international community. Senior Research Fellow Jo Han- Bum of the Korea Institute for National Unification stated to the BBC, “North Korea currently maintains diplomatic relations with six countries at the ambassador level, and one of them is Cuba.” He mentioned that “Since the deadlock in inter- Korean and North Korea- U.S. relations, the core of Kim Jong- Un's diplomacy has been to strengthen relations with China and Russia, followed by expanding relations with other socialist countries.” In this context, the fact that Cuba secretly established diplomatic relations with South Korea would be a shock that North Korea would find difficult to accept.

Kim In- Tae, a responsible researcher at the National Security Strategy Institute, stated, “From North Korea's perspective, it's like being stabbed in the back. Although the peak of North Korea and Cuba relations was indeed during the era of Kim Il- Sung, and diplomatic ties weakened as Cuba pursued reform and opening, maintaining ‘ideology’ and ‘tradition’ until now, the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Cuba has certainly dealt a decisive blow to North Korea.”

North Korea hasn’t issued any official stance about the establishment of diplomatic ties between South Korea and Cuba thus far. Regarding this, Kim In- Tae, mentioned, “North Korean authorities may find it burdensome to formalize related content even internally.” He added, “Because there’s nothing good for the North Korean government if the ruling elite or residents know such facts.” A senior official from the South Korean presidential office remarked, “Ultimately, this establishment of diplomatic relations demonstrates what the prevailing trend is in the course of history, and to whom that trend belongs.” Whether this establishment of diplomatic relations between Cuba and South Korea could serve as a pivotal turning point in the diplomatic relations between North and South Korea remains to be seen, and the future actions of North Korea will be closely watched.

By Kim Han-seul, cub-reporter  hozejunior@naver.com

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