
South Korea officially inaugurated its embassy in Havana on Friday, hosting an opening ceremony less than a year after the two nations formalized diplomatic ties on Feb. 14, 2024.
The embassy is situated in the Miramar district, renowned for its cluster of embassy compounds, including those of the United States, Canada, China and other countries, serving as a hub for international diplomacy.
South Korea's embassy in Cuba becomes the 117th diplomatic mission located in the island nation. Opening the embassy represented a unique challenge due to Cuba’s longstanding close ties with North Korea.
"The government expects that the opening of the embassy in Cuba will enhance the benefits for our citizens residing in or visiting Cuba by providing consular services and protecting overseas Koreans,” the Foreign Ministry in Seoul said. “It is also anticipated to contribute to the expansion of exchanges and cooperation between the peoples of the two countries.”
The Korean Embassy in Cuba will consist of three staff members and an ambassador. Around 30 South Korean nationals reside in Cuba.
The embassy's opening ceremony took place at 10:30 a.m. on Friday at the embassy, featuring a plaque unveiling, ribbon-cutting ceremony and guestbook signing.
Cuban attendees included Carlos Miguel Pereira, director-general of bilateral affairs, and Ariel Lorenzo, director for Asia and Oceania at the Cuban Foreign Ministry. Pereira visited Seoul in June last year to participate in the Korea-Latin America Future Cooperation Forum.
Lee Joo-il, director-general for Latin American and Caribbean affairs at South Korea's Foreign Ministry, attended the opening ceremony Friday as the representative of the Korean government.
South Korean ambassador-designate to Cuba Lee Ho-yul attended the opening ceremony, according to diplomatic sources.
Lee has not yet officially assumed his or her duties, but The Korea Herald has learned from officials familiar with the matter that accreditation has been granted by the Cuban government.
Lee, an expert in trade, previously served as director-general of the International Cooperation Bureau at the Ministry of Health and Welfare. He is currently serving as minister at South Korea's Embassy in Mexico. His appointment as the country’s first ambassador to Cuba is viewed as a strategic step toward enhancing economic cooperation with Havana.
The South Korean government plans to expedite the appointment process of ambassadors, which has been put on hold amid the political turmoil sparked by since-suspend President Yoon Suk Yeol’s short-lived declaration of martial law on Dec. 3, The Korea Herald learned from diplomatic sources.
The appointment of an ambassador requires approval at a Cabinet meeting, after which acting President Choi Sang-mok will present the letter of credence, followed by the formal submission to the leader of the host country.
South Korea and Cuba had initially planned to complete the establishment of embassies in the respective capitals by the end of last year, but the timeline has been delayed.
Seoul’s embassy inauguration plan faced delays due to logistical challenges, including nationwide blackouts and Cuba’s supply crisis.
Claudio Monzon Baeza, Cuba's inaugural ambassador to South Korea, officially commenced his duties in Seoul by presenting his credentials to acting President Choi on Jan. 7. However, the exact time frame for opening the Cuban Embassy in Seoul has yet to be finalized.
Cuba is South Korea's 193rd diplomatic partner. With the establishment of diplomatic ties with Cuba, South Korea has now established relations with all UN member states except Syria.