South Korea, Colombia vow to expand ties in health care, climate change

South Korea and Colombia vowed to deepen ties and step up cooperation in the areas of health care, digital transformation and climate change, as the top envoys of the two countries met Wednesday.

Foreign Minister Chung Eui-yong held talks with visiting Colombian Vice President and Foreign Minister Marta Lucia Ramirez in Seoul, discussing a wide range of bilateral and regional issues. Ramirez was in Seoul to attend the Korea-Pacific Alliance Green Economy Forum held earlier in the day, joined by three other Pacific Alliance members, Chile, Peru and Mexico.

“The two countries will develop bilateral relations and expand cooperation against the new challenges, including health care, digital transformation, climate change and the ‘fourth industrial revolution,’” Chung said at the start of the meeting, noting the two countries will mark the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties next year.

Ramirez also echoed Chung’s statement, stressing that the two countries will jointly respond to various new challenges, including the COVID-19 pandemic and climate change, based on the joint statement the leaders of the two countries adopted in August.

Chung also recognized Bogota’s support for Seoul’s efforts to become an associate member of the Pacific Alliance, which Colombia is chairing this year.

South Korea, which is currently an observer country, has been seeking to become an associate member of the Latin American trade bloc in a bid to expand economic partnerships.

“Colombia continuously and wholeheartedly supports South Korea joining the Pacific Alliance as an associate member,” said Ramirez. “The brotherhood forged between the two countries 70 years ago when Colombia participated in the Korean War has become a steadfast foundation of the bilateral ties.”

She additionally expressed hope the two countries could expand ties in areas of not only trade and culture, but also in science, technological innovation and the environment.

By Ahn Sung-mi (sahn@heraldcorp.com)