On 28 September 2018, during the 73rd session of the United Nations General Assembly in New York, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Edgars Rinkēvičs, met with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Kang Kyung-wha, according to the Embassy of Latvia.

The parties discussed bilateral relations between both countries and current developments on the North Korea’s nuclear disarmament issue. An Air Traffic Agreement between Latvia and South Korea was signed at the meeting, which is expected to promote cooperation in tourism.

Latvia Amb. Peteris Vaivars also has big his interest in promoting Latvia in Seoul through attending the 3rd Korea International Tourism Show held in Ilsan Kintex at the beginning of Sep. as well as Cheonan World Dance Festival Korean Night Gala Dinner.

For example, Vaivars said through his congratulatory remarks held at the beginning of Sep. to mark the 3rd Intl Tourism Show: „Furthermore, I would like to underline that tourism is the important business area not only for Latvia but all countries represented here today. We all strive to offer the best possible tourism experience for Korean travellers and are very happy for the increasing number of Korean visitors overseas. I think countries represented here greatly complement each other and as a whole makes a very attractive products for Korean travelers.“

Also he mentioned through his congratulatory speech held in the middle of Sep. at the theater hall, Sheraton Walkerhill Hotel Seoul to mark Korean Night Gala Dinner in commemorating the 2018 Cheonan World Dance Festival: „I would also like to underling the Song and Dance Festival which takes place in Latvia every 5 years and is listed as UNESCO Intangible World Heritage. This year the festival was attended by almost 50 000 participants among which around 20 000 were dancers from all over Latvia and even few countries from overseas.

According to the Embassy of Latvia, Edgars Rinkēvičs expressed satisfaction with the active political dialogue and noted in particular the visits to Korea by the President of Latvia and the Minister of Defence. The Minister extended an invitation from the Latvian government to the South Korean Prime Minister to visit Latvia.

“We wish to build closer cooperation with South Korean companies on the development of new technologies since alongside traditional areas Latvian-Korean economic cooperation should especially be facilitated in science, research, and innovations. Establishment of an Innovation Centre in Riga could be a successful platform for cooperation in exploring new technologies. For

instance, Latvia is currently working actively in research on the new generation of mobile internet, or 5G network, in which South Korean companies could take part,” said Edgars Rinkēvičs.

The Minister also noted that since Latvia opened its Embassy in Seoul, the overall trade volumes had been increasing each year.

The parties shared views on the issue of North Korea’s nuclear disarmament. Edgars Rinkēvičs expressed hope that the Singapore Summit this past 12 June had offered and opportunity to overcome the decades-long tension. The Summit should also be regarded as a good political signal and the first step towards the normalisation of situation on the Korean peninsula.