Latin American envoys here joined with top-level representatives from more than a dozen countries to meet their South Korean counterparts during the Sixth High-Level Forum on Korea-Latin America Partnership in Seoul on Tuesday.

This year’s high-level forum saw vice-minister and minister level representatives discuss ways to enhance economic cooperation between the two sides in a range of areas, including trade, investment, resources, infrastructure, the environment and development. It has been held annually since 2008.

“Every year ties between South Korea and Latin America improve, said Paraguayan Ambassador Ceferino Valdez, dean of the Latin American group of foreign envoys. “In the past, interest in Latin America was led by the (South Korean) government. Now, the interest is coming from individuals looking for new business opportunities, and ways to exchange technology and know-how.”

Of the six high-level Latin American forums, the largest took place in 2009. Chilean President Michelle Bachelet, 16 minister-level officials and 500 other delegates participated.

This year’s forum was attended by officials from eight Latin American countries, including Costa Rican Second Vice President Luis Liberman, Bolivian Minister of Health and Sports Juan Carlos Calvimontes, Dominican Republic Minister of Public Administration Ramon Ventura, and Paraguayan Central Department Gov. Blas Lanzoni.

Along with the high-level forum, the Korea-Latin America Business Forum took place on Wednesday to assist the entrance of South Korean companies into Latin American markets and to build business networks.

By Philip Iglauer (ephilip2011@heraldcorp.com)