I was so pleased to begin the first day of July by holding a breakfast meeting with Foreign Minister Carlos Martínez of Guatemala, who was visiting Korea as part of the Strategic Invitation Program for Distinguished Foreign Leaders.
We discussed Guatemala’s accession to the Korea–Central America FTA, of which the completion of domestic procedures by the existing Parties is now pending. I emphasized the importance of continued diplomatic efforts to ensure its swift completion, and expressed the hope that Guatemala’s accession will further advance economic cooperation between Korea and Central America. I look forward to the additional accession to the FTA of Guatemala generating renewed momentum and impetus for the economic collaboration between Korea and Central America.
I also requested the continued support of Minister Martínez for the Korean community and businesses in Guatemala, where some 6,000 Koreans and around 150 Korean companies are actively contributing to the bilateral ties.
Furthermore, we exchanged views on recent developments on the Korean Peninsula and in Latin America and agreed to continue working closely to even further strengthen the ties of friendship and cooperation between our two countries on the path ahead.
: Cho Hyun
Minister of Foreign Affairs of Republic of Korea