FM Chung Holds Separate Talks Costa Rica, Guatemala

South Korean Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong made separate talks with foreign ministers from Costa Rica and Guatemala in Seoul about the bilateral relations and cooperation between the countries said the Foreign Minister on Friday.

Foreign Minister Pedro Brolo Vila of Guatemala and Foreign Minister Rodolfo Solano Quiros of Costa Rica visited Seoul to attend Korea- LAC (Latin American and Caribbean countries) Digital Cooperation Forum that was held earlier this week.

Chung expressed his greatest hope during his talks with Costa Rica's Foreign Minister that both countries would be able to further extend their bilateral exchanges, especially as they look forward to celebrating next year the 60th anniversary of the establishment of both country's bilateral relations.

Foreign Minister Chung said that Costa Rica is Korea's traditional partner, of which they have shared common core values in upholding "democracy, peace and human rights." Moreover, the Prime Minister also congratulated Solano for being promoted to Costa Rica's top diplomatic post, who was formerly the country's ambassador to Seoul.

In addition, Costa Rica's Solano also expressed his hopes of having the two countries work together and extend their bilateral trade and investment.

Later on the same day, SK's Prime Minister Chung held his talks with Guatemalan Foreign Minister Pedro Brolo Vila, where they talked about their hopes of extended cooperation between both countries, especially for the development such as the infrastructures, medicine, and health care, and information and communications technology.

Guatemalan Foreign Minister also expressed his hopes that more South Korean enterprises would expand investment and businesses in his country. Today, around 150 South Korean businesses are said to be operating in Guatemala.

The talks are deemed necessary to expand South Korea's diplomatic relationships among countries that could benefit the country from good military relations, strong economic ties, medicine and health care, and among others.