The Diplomatic Relations between the Democratic People's Republic of Korea and Latin American states.

 

In this moment the Democratic People's Republic of Korea has established diplomatic relations with 150 states of the world, counting on a number of 30 Embassies, 3 Permanent Missions to international organizations (New York, Geneva, while the UN Mission in Vienna also serves as Embassy to Austria) and 3 General Consulates, 2 in the People's Republic of China, in Hong Kong and Shenyang and a third one in the Russian city of Vladivostock, "Capital" of the Russian far East, according to the Korea Central News Agency.

 

The first country to recognize the DPRK after its establishment was the
Soviet Union, on the 12th October 1948, followed by Mongolia (15 October), Poland (16 October), Romania, my country being the fourth, on 26 October 1948.

 

The DPRK is a member state in most international organizations and has ratified most international conventions and agreements. As it regards the United Nations, the DPRK became official member on 17 September 1991.

 

The DPRK perceives Latin America as a region in a continuous transformation
and with a great development potential with which Pyongyang can sincerely
cooperate in several global problems, especially since the peoples o
several Latin American states share the same independent spirit and the deep
rebellion against any kind of imperialistic oppression.

 

A great interest has been shown in these countries for the Yuche idea,
Perubeing the seat of one of the world's Yuche Study Centers, even if
Ecuador is the country with the highest interest for the Korean way of
self determination.

 

In Latin America, the DPRK maintains 4 Embassies: in Peru, Cuba, Mexico
and the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela while only Cuba and the Bolivarian
Republic of Venezuela have opened Diplomatic Missions in Pyongyang.

Over the last decades, economic collaboration existed between the DPRK and
countries like Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Guatemala, Mexico,
Nicaragua, Paraguay, Peru or Venezuela.

 

Pyongyang has helped the regime of the oppressed Nicaragua with medicines
and medical assistance and one year ago, the Republic of Nicaragua, now
returned to a progressist government with a socialist agenda has renewed
its diplomatic relation with the DPRK.

 

By far, the most important friend and trade partner of the Korean people
in this part of the world is, of course the Republic of Cuba.

In the last years, the cooperation between the 2 nations has witnessed
many evolutions, especially in the fields of health and agriculture.

Apart from these 2 fields, Cuba and Korea exchange students, a fact
emphasized several time both by the Cuban and by the Korean Press
Agencies.

 

Diplomatic relations between the DPRK and Cuba were established on August
29, 1960, at Embassy level. The document was subscribed by Dr. Raul Cepero
Bonilla, President of the National Bank of Cuba and by Comrade Han Sang
Doo, DPRK's Minister of Finance at that time. Cuba and the DPRK maintain
friendly relations, characterized by both countries' will to permanently develop
these bonds.

 

Cuban President Fidel Castro Ruz paid a visit to the DPRK in March, 1986.
Roberto Robaina, Cuban former Minister of Foreign Affairs, visited
Pyongyang in 1995.

 

Comrade Kim Yong Nam, President of the Supreme People's Assembly
Presidium, visited the Republic of Cuba in April, 2000, accompanied by the DPRK
Minister of Foreign Affairs, Comrade Paek Nam Sun. This delegation
participated in the South Summit held in Havana. In 2001, Kim Yong De,
President of the Social Democratic Party of Korea and Vice-President of
the Supreme People's Assembly's Presidium, presided the Korean delegation to
the 101 Parliamentary Meeting held in Havana.

 

On October 10th of 2007, the Cuban President Fidel Castro congratulated
the Great Leader of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, Kim Jong Il on
the 60th Anniversary of the founding of DPRK's Worker's Party.

 

The text of his message alluded to former President Kim Il Sung, "founder
and guide of the Party and Republic,"whom we will always remember for his
"deep kindness, support and solidarity with the Cuban people."

 

The Cuban leader reminded how both countries have had to deal with complex
international situations in the last decade, which has included increased UShostility.

 

The note published in Granma daily expressed how, in spite of these
difficulties the two peoples have kept building socialism and have proven
the force and relevance of their ideas.

 

Fidel also spoke in the message of how both nations have united people and
the important Communist Party of Cuba and Worker's Party of Korea.

On December 1st, 2007, Cuba and the Democratic People's Republic of
Koreahave signed a Protocol for the economic, trade and cooperation
relations between the two countries.

 

In a ceremony held at the venue of the Cuban Ministry of Foreign
Investment and Economic Cooperation in Havana, the island's Government Minister, Ricardo Cabrisas, and the North Korean Trade Minister, Rim Kyong Man,
signed the document as part of the 26th Session of the Commission for Technical,
Scientific and Economic Consultation between the two nations.

 

Cabrisas said this agreement reaffirms the solidarity that exists between
Cuba and North Korea and it contributes to the improvement of relations in
all areas.

 

In addition, he said that one of the main aspects of the protocol are
discussions among Cuban and North Korean companies in order to find other
areas of commercial exchange, in accordance with the economic and social
development that both countries hope for.

 

For his part, Rim Kyong Man said that all topics analyzed are important to
develop, deepen and diversify mutual links and to face the blockade
imposed by the US government against the Cuban and North Korean peoples.

During their stay on the island, the visiting delegation held meetings in
the Ministries of Foreign Trade, Foreign Investment and Economic
Cooperation, Foreign Relations, Agriculture, Basic Industry and Public
Health.

 

As it regards the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela, I must mention the
existence of the Friendship and Cultural Association between Venezuela and
the DPRK and the cultural and student exchanges between the 2 nations
since August 2005, even if, unfortunately, the Venezuelan President Hugo Chavez has had to postpone his visit to Pyongyang in the summer of 2006.

Another country were great interest is shown for the DPRK realities is
Peru.

Peru and North Korea established diplomatic relations in December 1988.

The decision to establish diplomatic relations with the DPR of Korea was based
on pluralist vocation of Peruvian foreign policy of the time and on the
principle of universality of ties with all states. It was also felt that
in this context, a special attention to the legitimate regime of Korea could
contribute to a process of peaceful reunification of the Peninsula.

 

In 2003, Peru exported from the DPRK products in value of 1 million 359
thousand Dollars$ and a significant progress was however registered in the
cultural field, with the participation of Peruvian delegations to the
Korean Festival in April, for the Day of the Sun. Apart from these aspects, there
have been agreements between Peruvian and Korean universities.

 

List of Latin American countries that have established relations with the
DPRK

 

Antigua si Barbuda 27-Nov-90

Bahamas 16-Mai-91

Barbados 5-Dec-77

Belize 20-Jun-91

Colombia 24-Oct-88

Cuba 29-Aug-60

Dominica 18-Sep-79

Grenada 9-Mai-79

Jamaica 9-Oct-74

Mexico 4-Sep-80

Nicaragua 21-Aug-79

Peru 15-Dec-88

Santa Lucia 13-Sep-79

Saint Vincent and the Grenadines 3-Apr-81

Suriname 11-Oct-82

Trinidad and Tobago 22-Jan-86

Venezuela 28-Oct-74