(LEAD) S. Korea, Cuba forge formal diplomatic ties

▲ This file photo, released by the Associated Press, shows U.N. headquarters in New York. (Yonhap)

(LEAD) S Korea-Cuba-diplomatic ties

(LEAD) S. Korea, Cuba forge formal diplomatic ties

(ATTN: UPDATES throughout)

By Song Sang-ho

WASHINGTON, Feb. 14 (Yonhap) -- South Korea established diplomatic relations with Cuba on Wednesday, its mission to the United Nations said, in a culmination of steadfast efforts to build a formal relationship with the Latin American nation.

In New York, the two countries' representatives to the U.N. exchanged diplomatic notes marking the establishment of the formal ties. Cuba is the 193rd country which South Korea has built such diplomatic relations with.

Although Cuba officially recognized South Korea in 1949, bilateral exchanges were effectively severed after Fidel Castro seized power in a 1959 revolution. On the contrary, Cuba and North Korea have maintained close brotherly ties since they forged diplomatic relations in 1960.

Observers said that official relations between Seoul and Havana could help deepen Pyongyang's diplomatic isolation and pile more pressure on the recalcitrant regime to shift away from its provocative streak and return to dialogue.

"The decision to establish official relations between both states was made in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, International Law, and in conformity with the spirit and rules established in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 18 April 1961," the mission said in a release.

The Yoon Suk Yeol administration is known to have pushed for the opening of official ties with Cuba in a low-key manner apparently in consideration of Cuba's close relations with the North.

The establishment of the relations came as inter-Korean tensions have deepened with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un branding the South as a "primary" foe and doubling down on his regime's formidable weapons tests, including this week's round of cruise missile tests.

In a separate press release, Seoul's foreign ministry expressed expectations that formal relations with Cuba will mark a "crucial turning point" in its efforts to strengthen diplomacy with Central and South America and further expand its diplomatic horizons.

"Going forward, our government will actively cooperate with the Cuban government on follow-up steps, including the mutual establishment of diplomatic missions," the ministry said in the release.

It pointed out that the diplomatic ties set an institutional foundation to expand bilateral economic cooperation and support South Korean businesses seeking to create footholds into the country's market.

In Cuba, currently 1,100 people of Korean descent reside. In the pre-pandemic era, an average of about 14,000 South Koreans visited Cuba each year, according to government data.

With formal relations with Cuba, Syria is the only remaining U.N. member state with no diplomatic ties with Seoul.

In 2016, former Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se expressed Seoul's intent to forge diplomatic ties with Cuba during his official trip there.

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