South Korea to open 10 new embassies across the globe

This is the first time in 16 years that the South Korean government has opened 10 or more embassies in a year. The Foreign Ministry said the move aims to expand South Korea’s diplomatic capability and network.

South Korean Foreign Ministry headquarters in Seoul. [[YONHAP]

The South Korean Foreign Ministry plans to open embassies in 10 countries in Europe, Africa, South America and the Pacific by the second half of next year, the ministry announced Tuesday.

This is the first time in 16 years that the South Korean government has opened 10 or more embassies in a year.

It is also the fourth time after 1973, 1974 and 2007.

The Foreign Ministry said the move aims to expand South Korea’s diplomatic capability and network.

The countries where the new embassies will be opened are Luxembourg, Lithuania, the Marshall Island, Slovenia, Sierra Leone, Armenia, Estonia, Jamaica, Zimbabwe and Georgia.

The South Korean government plans to open smaller offices in Botswana and Suriname as well.

While some countries are getting their first South Korean legation, Luxembourg and Jamaica already have South Korean consulates.

Luxembourg has had diplomatic relations with South Korea since 1962.

Eight countries on the list have embassies in Seoul, including Lithuania, Slovenia and the Marshall Islands.

The Marshall Island has only eight embassies in the world, including Korea.

The Korean Foreign Ministry noted that the embassy in the Marshall Islands will play a central role along with Fiji, which also has a Korean Embassy, in enhancing ties with the Pacific Island countries.

The Korean government said the Marshall Islands were one of Korea's biggest trading partners in the region.

After the new embassies are opened, South Korea will have diplomatic offices, including consulates, in 177 countries.

The ministry plans to hire 40 employees to work in the embassies. At least four employees will be stationed at the newly opening embassies, while two will work at the consulates in Botswana and Suriname.

“We decided the list of countries where the new embassies will be opening based on the Koreans living in the countries and the support that Korean companies need in entering markets,” a Foreign Ministry official said. “While experiencing several international votes, including the United Nation’s Security Council non-permanent membership, we realized the need to expand our network and diplomatic horizon.”

South Korea was elected as a non-permanent member in June.

The Yoon Suk Yeol government has also been aggressively meeting with representatives and diplomats of countries to promote Busan's bid to host the World Cup Expo in 2030.

The final vote in deciding the host city will be held at the Bureau International des Expositions in Paris later this month.

The latest announcement from the South Korean government is in stark contrast to North Korea, which has been closing down several of its embassies, including ones in Uganda, Angola and Spain.

North Korea claimed that the closing of its embassies is a strategic choice and blamed operational difficulties caused by sanctions led by the U.S. and EU.

However, there is speculation that rising operation costs have burdened North Korea.

North Korea has 46 embassies worldwide.

BY LEE HO-JEONG [lee.hojeong@joongang.co.kr]