1. Special envoys of the Republic of Korea (Chairman of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee Cho Jeong-sik (head of the delegation) and Representative Kim Seong-soo) attended the inauguration ceremony of President of Costa Rica Carlos Alvarado, which took place at Democracy Square in San Jose, Costa Rica, on May 8.

o The inauguration ceremony was attended by special envoys from 108 countries, including the Presidents of Panama, Guatemala, Bolivia, El Salvador, the Dominican Republic, and Ecuador, as well as special envoys from the ROK.

2. On May 7, the special envoys of the ROK paid a courtesy call on new Costa Rican President Alvarado, in which they delivered a letter from President Moon Jae-in, and asked for President Alvarado’s interest and cooperation to strengthen substantial cooperation between the two countries in a mutually-beneficial manner.

o Special envoy Cho Jeong-sik expressed hope that the traditional friendly and cooperative relations between the two countries, which have been deepened since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1962, will further advance during President Alvarado’s term, and that especially economic cooperation between the two countries will further increase in infrastructure, including the construction of a new airport and smart cities, as well as e-government, and the environmental sector.

o President Alvarado said that he is well aware of the amazing history of the ROK, which has achieved remarkable economic growth and a matured democracy over the past half century, adding that he wants to follow the ROK’s model in efforts to develop the Costa Rican economy. He also hoped to see close cooperation between his country and the ROK in industries, infrastructure, and environmentally-friendly technologies.

3. Special envoy Cho Jeong-sik said that the latest inter-Korean summit (April 27) laid a strong foundation for establishing peace on the Korean Peninsula and advancing the inter-Korean relations, and asked for the Costa Rican government’s continued interest and support.

o President Alvarado expressed continued support, saying that the inter-Korean summit is a significant agreement for peace on the Korean Peninsula, and that President Moon Jae-in delivered the hopeful message of peace to the whole world.

4. The special envoys also held a meeting with representatives from the Korean community in Costa Rica on May 8. In the meeting, the special envoys explained the direction of the new ROK government’s key policies, as well as the recent progress made in the inter-Korean relations, and asked the Korean community to play a constructive role in enhancing the ROK-Costa Rica relations.

* unofficial translation