KOREAN NET

Korean and Cuban officials on Jan. 17 pose for photos at the opening ceremony of the Korean Embassy in Cuba's capital of Havana. From left are Lee Hoyul, minister at the Korean Embassy in Mexico; Lee Jooil, director-general of the Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Bureau at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; Carlos Pereira, director-general of the General Division of Bilateral Affairs at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Ariel Lorenzo, director for Asia and Oceania at the Cuban ministry. (Ministry of Foreign Affairs)

By Kim Seon Ah

The Korean Embassy in Havana, Cuba, has been officially opened 11 months after both countries forged formal relations in February last year.

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul on Jan. 19 said the embassy's opening ceremony was held on Jan. 17 in the Miramar district of Havana.

Attendees included Lee Hoyul, minister at the Korean Embassy in Mexico; Lee Jooil, director-general of the ministry's Latin American and Caribbean Affairs Bureau; Carlos Pereira, director-general of the General Division of Bilateral Affairs at the Cuban Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Ariel Lorenzo, the latter ministry's director for Asia and Oceania.

An official at the Korean ministry said, "The embassy's opening is expected to boost exchanges and cooperation between the people of both countries, and help raise convenience for Korean citizens living in or visit Cuba like consular services and protection of nationals abroad."

sofiakim218@korea.kr