Seoul, Nov 14 (EFE).- South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol has highlighted the growing \u201cstrategic importance\u201d of Latin America ahead of upcoming summits for the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Forum in Peru and the G20, which will be held in Brazil.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yoon will seek to foster closer ties with the region and defend \u201cfree and open world trade,\u201d he told EFE in a written interview.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
The summits in Peru and Brazil are part of Yoon\u2019s first official trip to Latin America since he became president of Asia\u2019s fourth-largest economy in May 2022.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
His visit, which starts on Thursday in Lima, \u201cis highly significant in the expansion of Korea’s vision as a \u2018Global Pivotal State\u2019 towards the Latin American region,\u201d the South Korean president said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Becoming a \u201cglobal pivotal state\u201d is the South Korean government\u2019s diplomatic goal of taking on a more active role \u201cin accordance with its international status\u201d.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Based on this strategy, Seoul is \u201cdeepening its economic and security cooperation at multiple levels\u201d not only with its main ally the United States, but also with other Asia-Pacific partners, members of the G7, the European Union and Nato, Yoon said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seoul’s focus includes \u201cstrengthening its mutually beneficial partnerships with other regions of the world, including the Global South,\u201d and in particular, Latin America, the South Korean president said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cThe recent rise of protectionism and worsening instability in global supply chains has increased the strategic importance of Latin America, which has abundant resources,\u201d said Yoon, who also highlighted his country\u2019s deep-rooted ties of friendship with the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Seoul currently has bilateral Free Trade Agreements (FTAs) with Chile, Peru and Colombia, as well as a regional FTA with five Central American nations. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Numerous South Korean companies are also involved in infrastructure projects in Latin America, in addition to operating in other sectors such as renewables, biopharmaceuticals and aerospace.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn this context, I am confident that my visit to Latin America will be an important opportunity to strengthen and deepen our relations with Latin American countries,\u201d said Yoon, who also highlighted Seoul’s development cooperation in the region.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the case of APEC host Peru, Yoon plans to meet with President Dina Boluarte to \u201creinforce\u201d the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership agreed in 2012 and \u201cdiscuss important bilateral infrastructure and defense projects.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIn addition, I hope to meet with other leaders from the Latin American region on the sidelines of the APEC and G20 summits to explore various cooperation modalities,\u201d added Yoon, who is scheduled to land in Rio de Janeiro on November 17.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In the current scenario of regional conflicts and proliferation of trade barriers, coupled with the deepening division of the world into different blocs, South Korea is in favor of \u201cstrengthening free and open world trade and a rules-based international order,\u201d according to Yoon.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cIt is precisely at times like these that international solidarity is needed to safeguard the free and open international trade order,\u201d the South Korean leader said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
He highlighted the role that the G20 can play in promoting global economic cooperation by integrating the Global South.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Yoon also appreciated the Brazilian presidency’s initiative to include on the summit\u2019s agenda key issues on achieving Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in developing countries, such as the fight against hunger and poverty and energy transition.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cKorea will continue to work actively with the G20 while leading cooperation among countries for the sake of a free and open international trade order, as well as continuing to contribute to efforts to respond to common challenges,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
At the APEC summit in Lima, Seoul will bring to the table \u201cways to minimize the impact on vulnerable groups\u201d of the \u201cglobal polycrisis\u201d with a view to \u201cachieving inclusive growth in which everyone benefits from the advances of new digital technologies,\u201d Yoon said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
In particular, the South Korean government will outline its measures to support SMEs and micro-business owners and to promote green technologies, all with an eye on Seoul’s rotating APEC presidency in 2025, the country\u2019s first in two decades.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
\u201cWe want to continue the achievements made by Peru this year and lead the discussion at the APEC level with the slogan ‘Building a Sustainable Future’,\u201d said Yoon, who said that the “key words” for the South Korean presidency will be “connection”, “innovation” and “prosperity”. EFE<\/p>\n\n\n\n
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