35 years of bilateral relations between SVG and Republic of Korea

On Tuesday October 28, 2014, one day after this nation celebrated its 35th anniversary of independence from Great Britain, St Vincent and the Grenadines (SVG) celebrated its 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea.{{more}}

The Republic of Korea, also known as South Korea, was one of the first nations to establish diplomatic relations with this country as an independent State on October 28, 1979. Since then, both countries have enjoyed cordial relations and cooperation has followed in the areas of education, training, information technology and health, among other key development areas, in addition to promoting peace, development and international security at the multilateral level. Specifically, a visa-waiver agreement exists between both countries, which means holders of a Vincentian passport can travel to Korea for short stays without any visa requirements and vice versa.

SVG has also benefited from its relations with Korea through its membership in the Caribbean Community (CARICOM). In 2006, the CARICOM and South Korea signed a Consultation and Cooperation mechanism at the CARICOM Secretariat headquarters in Georgetown, Guyana, formulating bilateral cooperation between the two sides in a number of areas, including the use of ICTs for the Community’s development.

As a physical expression of its interest in CARICOM and its member-states, South Korea established an Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago, which also serves other members of CARICOM and the OECS. Currently His Excellency Yong Kyu Kwon is accredited as the Republic of Korea’s Non-Resident Ambassador to St Vincent and the Grenadines, resident in Trinidad and Tobago.