Korea, Colombia resume policy talks after four-year hiatus

Korean and Colombian diplomats resumed talks after 4 years, focusing on strengthening relations and cooperation in economics and aid.

Jorge Rojas Rodriguez, vice foreign minister of Colombia, left, shakes hands with First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-kyun ahead of their talks in Seoul on Monday. [Yonhap]

Senior diplomats from Korea and Colombia resumed policy talks after a four-year pandemic-driven hiatus Monday, discussing efforts to strengthen relations and cooperate in areas such as economics and developmental aid.

Kim Hong-kyun, Korea's first vice minister of foreign affairs, and his Colombian counterpart, Jorge Rojas Rodriguez, led the broad discussions, the Korean Foreign Ministry said in a news release.

During the talks, Kim recalled the friendship the two countries first forged when Colombia sent troops to fight for South Korea in the 1950-53 Korean War.

Kim further expressed his hope that Korea could up its contribution to infrastructure development in Colombia, noting Korea's participation in transportation and various other industrial projects in the Latin American country in recent years.

Rojas said, in response, that he hopes to extend Colombia's collaboration with Korea into future-related sectors such as renewable energy, hydrogen, science and technology.

The two sides also agreed to redouble efforts to promote people-to-people and cultural exchange.

Monday's talks were the two countries' first policy dialogue since 2020, when they communicated virtually due to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Yonhap