S. Korea reforges diplomatic ties with Cuba after 65 years, how significant is this?

韓, 쿠바와 외교관계 수립 쿠바에 배신당한 北김정은, 앞으로의 전략은?

65 years.
This is how long it took for South Korea to rebuild formal diplomatic relations with Cuba.
After secretive, steadfast efforts for several decades, South Korea finally established bilateral ties with Cuba last Wednesday.
As Havana had long been considered as North Korea’s close brother, many say this will have put much pressure on the reclusive regime.
How do experts see the significance of ties forged between Seoul and Havana
and what was Pyeongyang’s response?
For this, we invite Professor Chung Ku-youn from Kangwon National University.
Professor Chung, good to see you again.
We also have Professor Hannes B. Mosler, from University of Duisburg-Essen.
Welcome to the show, Professor Mosler.

(CHUNG) Q1. South Korea established diplomatic ties with Cuba last Wednesday, and the presidential office described it as “completion of our diplomacy vis-a-vis the socialist bloc.” How do you see the significance of this?

(MOSLER) Q2. I hear the establishment of a formal relationship with Cuba was a culmination of steadfast efforts by Seoul since 2000. Since when, and in what ways did South Korea knock on Cuba’s doors?

(CHUNG) Q3. I wonder what drove Havana to set diplomatic ties with Seoul. Many reports say it was deeper economic exchanges with Asia’s fourth-largest economy as it is suffering from inflation, food, and power shortages, is that the case?

(MOSLER) Q4. Now that bilateral ties have been set up, it is natural to expect South Korea’s global profile to be expanded, with Seoul’s investment and trade volume in the region to increase. What is the current status quo and what economic cooperation could we expect from now on?

(CHUNG) Q5. We need to take a look at how other countries are viewing Seoul’s establishment of diplomatic ties with Cuba first, Washington. Cuba is on Washington’s list of state sponsors of terrorism, and though the State Department said the U.S. respects the ROK’s right to determine the nature of its own diplomatic relationships, many interpreted these words as not being welcoming. How will the U.S. be viewing this?

(MOSLER) Q6. It has been pointed out that North Korea has long been boasting brotherly ties with Cuba. Now that Havana has opened its doors to Seoul, how might bilateral ties between Havana and Pyongyang be?

(CHUNG) Q7. Less than 24 hours after South Korea’s announcement, Kim Yo-jong said the regime is open to improving its relationship with Japan, and raised the possibility of inviting Kishida to Pyongyang as well. Why single out Japan like this?

(MOSLER) Q8. However, despite Kim Yo-jong’s remarks, many say North Korea’s suggestion lacks sincerity, as Kim drew a line saying Japan needs to make a political decision and leave abduction issues off the table, to which Japan said it cannot accept those terms. What might Japan’s thoughts be?

(CHUNG) Q9. Now back to South Korea’s diplomacy, Japan’s Fuji News Network reported earlier that Kishida is considering visiting South Korea in March for a summit with President Yoon although the presidential office has denied this story. How do you see the possibility, and if it does happen, would Japan’s ties with North Korea be included in the agenda?

(MOSLER) Q10. Lastly, President Yoon postponed a planned visit to Germany and Denmark several days before the date. Apparently, this is the first time he has delayed an overseas visit. Is such delay usual? And what might have been the reasons behind it?

Unfortunately, that’s all the time we have for today’s edition.
Thank you, Professor Chung and Professor Mosler for your time and insights. We appreciate it.

#SouthKorea #Cuba #NorthKorea #Diplomatic_relation #대한민국 #쿠바 #북한 #외교 #Arirang_News #아리랑뉴스

📣 Facebook : https://www.facebook.com/arirangtvnews
📣 Twitter : https://twitter.com/arirangtvnews
📣 Homepage : https://v2.arirang.com/

2024-02-19, 18:30 (KST)

Hello everyone welcome to it in the frame I’m Kimo 65 years this is how long it took for South Korea to rebuild former diplomatic relations with Cuba after secretive steadfast efforts for several decades South Korea finally established bilateral ties with Cuba last Wednesday as Havana had long been considered as North Korea’s close

Brother many say this will have put much pressure on the reclusive regime how do experts see the significance of ties forced between tall and Havana and what was pang’s response for this we invite Professor Chuan from kangan National University Professor chong good to see you again thank you for having me and we

Also have Professor hesb mossler from University of duberg Essen welcome to the show Professor mossler thank thank you for inviting me all right first question to our professor Jong so South Korea established diplomatic ties with Cuba last Wednesday and the presidential office described it as completion of our

Diplomacy Visa the Socialist block how do you see the significance of this oh well the establishing diplomatic ties with Cuba this time can be understood in the context of Northern diplomacy or Northern policy during the Noto Administration in the past like 199 in in late 1980s that Northern policy aimed to

Secure diplomatic leverage against North Korea through normalization of relation with socialist countries and at the same time maintain peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula uh by improving relations with China and Soviet Union which are the most important neighboring countries around Korean Peninsula but at the same time this uh move actually

Pursues economic benefit through cooperation with socialist countries by EXP spending our market so uh in the past this Northern policy not only it has a good leverage against North Korea but at the same time it was actually enlarged The Diplomatic Horizon beyond the Korean Peninsula so I think uh this

Time expanding our diplomatic ties with Cuba is similar context I think um not only we pursue the global pivotal state but at the same time this uh diplomatic uh move can be understood in the context of disan strategy for North Korea inations under the current un Administration by formulating South

Korea’s diplomatic strategy in a way that increase cost of maintaining regime through nuclear developments I think this is kind of smart move for South Korea to impose on North Korea in this context all right I see well it’s quite interesting to hear that this could be interpreted as a continuation of

Northern policy from not government now uh as significant as it is the process however was not that easy Professor musler I he the establishment of a former relationship with Cuba was a culmination of steadfast efforts by whole since 2000 now since when why and what waves did South Korea knock on Cuba’s

Doors yeah actually South Korea and Cuba had established diplomatic relations already in 1949 but after the revolution in Cuba the relations were cut in 1959 and since then the Caribbean country opted for North Korea as we know as its partner for South Korea Cuba was not important enough in the early 1990s when

President new pursued his Northern policy as Professor Chong mentioned towards socialist countries so it was only towards the end of the 1990s that President Kim de Jung then initiated first attempts to normalizing the relations again in 2005 eventually the Korea trade investment promotion agency opened a Trade Center on the island and

Later in 2013 the South Korean foreign minister visit Cuba for the first time and well what we are seeing right now is that the UN Administration is simply reaping the fruits of his predecessors work but of course there’s no doubt that one of the most important factors in

Cuba finally giving in to South Korea’s advances was its worsening economic situation it needed a helping hand and South Korea was ready to provide that right I see well our professor M already pointed out by I wonder what were the reasons behind Havana uh making a decision to set diplomatic ties with its

Whole now as our professor MOS said many Reports say it was because of economy you know from uh inflation issue food and power shortages but was that the only case Professor Chong well as Professor just mentions Cuba has faced sanctions from many countries including United States for a long time even

Though President Obama uh a few years ago lifted the Embargo on Cuba in 200 14 I think engage in official negotiation for normalization of diplomatic relations which include agendas such as freedom of travel expansion of export and import and reconsideration of designation of State sponsor of terrorism but during the president Trump

Tenures due to relationship with Venezuela and Cuba and many others he ultimately designate Cuba as a state sponsor of terrorism and President Biden also cast a dissenting vote on a UN resolution urging the lifting of the economic blockade on Cuba so uh now it is more so because not only because of

This ge political reason but also this um illegal immigrants coming into United States all the Americans which used to be very uh favorable to um Cuban people but now it has more of desending uh voices so uh for United States even though it wants to kind of improve the

Relationship with Cuba now they it have more challenges uh and in such a situations economic change is considered to be a very vital factors to consider for Cuba all right I see your point now Professor marer now that bilateral ties have been set up it is natural to expect

South Korea’s Global profile to be expanded with households investment and trade volume in the region to increase uh what is the current status quo regarding trade and what economic cooperation could we expect from now on well at this point frankly we are only at a possible beginning of a more

Active trade relationship and the sanctions against Cuba as we just heard make it very difficult to trade freely and without restrictions with this country as of now South Korean trade relations with Cuba have been very limited therefore and and and rather tilted I would say in 2022 South Korea exported twice as much

To Cuba than it orted from from there and well of course this might change in the future uh when Cuba is free from sanctions and develops its economy but uh today we are still far from from that point of time so all in all I would say the implications of the new relationship

Should neither be understated nor overstated for South Korea it is more of a symbolic re relevance than something that will make a real difference anytime soon but of course it is better to have these relations than not so you could say that for Cuba’s future this new trade relationship probably will be

Crucial and for South Korea it is simply nice to have all right I see it seems it would take some time for investment and trade volume to significantly increase between the two countries all right well Professor Chong we need to also take a look at how other countries are being

S’s establishment of diplomatic ties with Cuba first is Washington uh Cuba is on Washington’s list of state sponsors of terrorist and I think you have already mentioned this and though the state department said the US respects the rk’s right to determine the nature of its own diplomatic relationships many

Interpreted these words as not being welcoming how will the US be viewing this as you just mentioned Cuba is in the list of state sponsor of terrorism so it is kind of uh not positive uh response we are not going to response uh receive positive response from United

States if we are really willing to you know reopening our markets and reopening diplomatic uh kind of relationship but I think United States understand that uh this gesture of South Korea at this time the normalization of diplomatic relation with Cuba has been achieved within the context of North Korea policy I think

Presidential office already mentioned it uh they are mentioning that this is the kind of Victory against uh this current current Peninsula and I think United States understand that South Korea prioritize this issue when it uh actually addresses this South Korea Cuban relationship but at the same time South Korea as Professor just mentions

We need to very careful because of all the economic sanctions imposed on Cuba are not only uh United States uh uh economic uh actors but also other International actors are also also already suffering from this uh sanctioning mechanism especially this Helen Burton’s Act passed in 1996 which is known as a Cuban Liberty

And Democratic solidarity act not only uh punish us companies but also businesses from other countries as well and United States already know and and they expect other countries already know that this law will be complied with International Community so I think uh they have expectations and our expectation can be aligned to some

Degree all right I see well as our professor Chong already said that this announcement and this decision was in the context of North Korea related policy we definitely need to talk about North Korea’s position around regarding this issue uh it has been pointed out already that North Korea has long been

Boasting brly ties with Cuba now that Havana has opened its doors to whole how might bilateral ties between Havana and pyang be Professor mler well I I guess at this point this remains to be seen there has been no official response from Pyongyang yet as

Far as I know but I’m quite certain that they will not be amused to say the least um Cuba was North Korean store to to Latin America and it is one of the only very few countries North Korea exchanges ambassadors with so in this sense this is yet another step toward North Korea’s

Increasing diplomatic isolation from the International Community and to be honest I I don’t think that this is a a positive development right um but also for North Korea ties to to Cuba are not that crucial and recently as we know it was very successful in strengthening ties with China and particular Russia

Which is far more important and far more dangerous by the way so in some I would say North Korea will not be amused at the same time its relations with Cuba may not be affected too much it is more of a symbolic victory for South Korea

Not a real one all right Professor moner that being said Do You Believe North Korea would be you know strengthening ties with Russia even more now that Cuba is on I don’t know if it would be correct to say like this but now that Cuba is on to

Side oh yes um I mean I I don’t think that Cuba is so such an important player in in the game so um regardless of of these new developments Russia has very strong interests in cooperating with North Korea for its ammunition for for for what they can receive from North

Korea to continue their war of aggression on on Ukraine so I wouldn’t overstate the the now the the new relations between South Korea and Cuba um but rather point out that uh the new relations and closer relations between North Korea and Russia are highly dangerous all right I see now Professor

Chong less than 24 hours after South Korea announcement Kim kimy Jang said the regime is open to improving its relationship with Japan and raised the possibility of inviting kashida to pyang as well why single out Japan like this still well I think uh North Korea just

Pointed out Japan as a attempt to kind of weakening trilateral cooperations Between Us South Korea and Japan uh this Tri letter has been uh relatively successful uh since the Advent of un administrations and uh two uh three countries cooperations and areas of cooperation is actually expanding these

Days so given that uh North Korea loses this uh Cuba uh given that the uh kind of limited number of diplomatic ties North Korea maintains even North Korea is closing down its uh International missions because of the budget problems now this situation can be a huge loss uh

While South Korea has most of diploma relations in the in the all entire world so as Professor just mentions this could be just a rhetorical kind of victory for South Korea but it could be a huge loss for North Korea so in that sense uh

North Korea call out this Japan and as a way of wedging the relationship with trilateral corporations but when it comes to Japan uh Japan has been mentioned about this up issues when it comes to this Japan North Korea uh relations that has been kind of default

When it comes to stand uh starting this uh foreign policy of Japan against North Korea but given the North Korea position is that Improvement of normalizations of North Korea relations are possible Possible only if they do not talk about nuclear and abdy issue that’s what actually mentioned so I think uh I don’t

Think there will be a kind of substantial progress when it comes to two countries relationship even though North Korea actually pointed out Japan in this context all right well Professor mler our professor CH already pointed out this issue but uh many say North Korea suggestion from kimy Jang lacks

Sincerity as Kim drew a lines in Japan needs to make a political decision and leave adoption issues off the table to which Japan said it cannot accept those terms what my Jaan start speak regarding this well um as we just heard North Korea’s nuclear weapons program and the

Abduction of Japanese citizens are the two most important issues to Japan when it comes to North Korea and so if they cannot mention them at the meeting it doesn’t make sense for Japan to participate in the first place though there is of course the chance that the these issues are mentioned uh not

Publicly but discussed secretly in a diplomatic way nevertheless still this will be hardly acceptable for Japan because kida’s Administration uh’s main motivation to meet with North Korea will probably be to boast its image domestically and if kushida can cannot tell his citizens that he achieved some

Progress or that he not was even able to talk about these issues the meeting is not not much worse for him so um but then on the other hand um another reason for Japan to indeed nevertheless pursue the meeting anyway is that it could help restore communication Channels with

North Korea and with that hopefully achieve some potential progress in resolving the related issues on the Korean Peninsula and this would be obviously also be in the interest of the United States but well at this point a summit does not look very likely all right I see so Professor Jong that being

Said would it be safe for us to say that such you know suggestion from Kim Jong would not have significant impact on trilateral cooperation well I don’t think it will have a substantial effect uh because this trilateral cooperation is uh solely focused on North Korea’s nuclear and

Missile threats so even though there is a diplomatic gesture to improve or sometimes wedging the trilateral relations I think uh that doesn’t really work for three countries all right I see now Professor Jong back to South Korea’s diplomacy uh Japan’s Fuji News Network reported earlier that kashid is considering visiting South Korea in

March for a summit with President Yun although the presidential office has denied the story how do you see the possibility of this Summit and if it does happen would Japan’s ties with North Korea be included in the agenda uh from diplomatic perspective I think it is plausible uh given that

Japan K actually uh kind of visit South Korea before he uh traveled to United States for The Summit in April so Kisha might want to discuss some of the important bilateral and trilateral issue with President Junel especially about North Korea nuclear and missile threats and other mized cooperation between

Three and two countries so I think it is plausible uh but at the same time given that we have general elections and also United States and uh Japan has been political cycle as well I’m not sure whether it is kind of entirely positive for all three um leaders to have this

Trilateral or bilateral or meetings uh before elections because because all of this polarized uh political kind of environment for three countries even diplomatic issue and foreign policy issue become very easily polarized and politicized and become very volatile for public opinion so I think uh it is important for diplomatic perspective to

Have and coordinate all the uh steps and cooperation agenda but at the same time there might be adverse effect for public opinion as well all right I see your point now Professor M Lassie pres nun postponed the plan visit to Germany and Denmark several days before the date now

Apparently this is the first time he has delayed an overseas visit is such delay usual one and what might have been the reasons behind it well it it was not very unusual but also very unfortunate I must say that the South Korean government canel the planned visit on on such a short notice

Right it is even more disturbing because Germany seems to be one of the very few countries that President Yun has not visited since taken office and this is all the more puzzling because last year we celebrated 140 years of diplomatic relations between the two countries that is between Germany and South Korea

So yeah quite unusual and and unfortunate as for the reasons one can only SP speculate at this point um that probably president y did not feel confident to travel abroad yet again he’s abroad very often right um in particular while all hell is breaking loose at home as we know he is under

Fire for his wife’s alleged misconduct and he’s Keen to win the Parliamentary elections in April despite his bad support rate so he has a lot to do and is under Fire at home um but whatever the reasons for cancelling the state visit it was a great disservice to South

Korean diplomacy that at least seems to be very clear all right I see your point now unfortunately this is all the time we have for today’s edition but uh thank you Professor Chong and Professor Maser for your time and insights today we really appreciate it thank you thank

You all right that’s all for in the frame tonight thank you for watching and goodbye