{"id":2199975,"date":"2023-01-31T09:39:28","date_gmt":"2023-01-31T09:39:28","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.nknews.org\/koreapro\/?p=2199975"},"modified":"2023-11-20T19:00:37","modified_gmt":"2023-11-20T10:00:37","slug":"why-the-next-two-years-could-be-critical-for-future-of-south-korea-ecuador-ties","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/koreapro.org\/2023\/01\/why-the-next-two-years-could-be-critical-for-future-of-south-korea-ecuador-ties\/","title":{"rendered":"Why the next two years could be critical for future of South Korea-Ecuador ties"},"content":{"rendered":"
Although South Korea and Ecuador established diplomatic relations more than 60 years ago, Ecuador occupies a relatively low ranking in terms of importance as an export market for the ROK compared to other Latin American trade partners.<\/span><\/p>\n However, at the beginning of the year, Ecuador began <\/span>serving<\/span><\/a> its two-year term as a non-permanent member of the U.N. Security Council (UNSC). And as a result, Quito and Seoul are poised to deepen their economic ties, particularly in the context of a potential free trade agreement between the two countries.<\/span><\/p>\n While prospects for economic relations between the ROK and Ecuador are on course for improvement, Ecuador is also increasing <\/span>cooperation<\/span><\/a> with Japan. <\/span>“As South Korea also seeks to improve security cooperation with Japan, it could use that mutual interest to pursue more comprehensive diplomatic relations with Ecuador that also encompasses security concerns.”<\/span><\/p>\n However, Seoul\u2019s pursuit of improved economic relations with Ecuador comes with risks <\/span>\u2014<\/span> improved ties do not guarantee that Ecuador will adopt a pro-ROK foreign policy. Diplomatic alignment between the two countries is subject to change based on who holds power in Quito.<\/span><\/p>\n OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPROVED RELATIONS<\/b><\/p>\n When People Power Party (PPP) Rep. Chung Jin-suk attended Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva\u2019s inauguration in January, he met with several Latin American leaders, including Ecuadorian President Guillermo Lasso. During their meeting, Lasso reportedly stated his <\/span>hopes<\/span><\/a> to visit Seoul to secure South Korea\u2019s cooperation in various economic-oriented fields.<\/span><\/p>\n In particular, Chung and Lasso <\/span>discussed<\/span><\/a> cooperation in the automotive sector while expressing shared values, especially regarding the security situation concerning North Korea. The two sides voiced a desire to strengthen bilateral economic ties ahead of the planned implementation of the <\/span>Korea-Ecuador <\/span>Strategic Economic Cooperation Agreement<\/span><\/a> (SECA) <\/span>\u2014<\/span> a free trade agreement with a comprehensive focus.<\/span><\/p>\n Diplomatic and economic ties between Quito and Seoul are modest. Still, Ecuador\u2019s <\/span>election<\/span><\/a> as a non-permanent member of the UNSC has given Quito a chance to play a more significant role in Northeast Asian security. Direct stakeholders such as Japan will also serve on the UNSC alongside Ecuador. Their concurrent tenures have driven Japanese interest in <\/span>strengthening cooperation with Ecuador<\/span><\/a> over Northeast Asian security.<\/span><\/p>\n Shared values between Ecuador and Japan on diplomatic and economic fronts featured prominently in a recent <\/span>working meeting<\/span><\/a> between Ecuadorian Foreign Minister Juan Carlos Holguin and his Japanese counterpart Yoshimasa Hayashi.<\/span><\/p>\n If the strengthening of Ecuador-Japan security cooperation and the deepening of Ecuador-ROK economic ties coincide, this could yield diplomatic dividends for Seoul. In particular, stronger relations between South Korea and Latin America <\/span>could help keep<\/span><\/a> the latter solidly within the liberal international framework.<\/span><\/p>\n This would also help Seoul take a step toward becoming President Yoon Suk-yeol\u2019s envisioned <\/span>Global Pivotal State<\/span><\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n