1. Jung Ki-hong, Government Representative for Korean Nationals Overseas Protection and Consular Affairs, met with Carlos Garcia, Vice Minister for Consular and Migration Affairs at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Honduras who visited Korea for the invitation program of the Korea Foundation, on Friday, May 30. They exchanged views on ways to enhance bilateral relations, cooperation on migration issues, and the protection of Korean businesses and residents in Honduras.

2. Government Representative Jung noted that since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and its Latin American partner Honduras in 1962, the two countries have developed cooperative ties across a wide range of areas, including active high-level exchanges.

3. Government Representative Jung expressed hope that building on the Korea-Central America Free Trade Agreement (FTA), the two countries would expand not only economic cooperation in such areas as trade, investment, infrastructure, and digital transformation but also collaboration in other fields such as cultural and private-sector people-to-people exchanges. He also requested the Honduran government’s attention to the Korean businesses and community in Honduras.

4. Government Representative Jung noted that the Korean government, constantly mindful of migration issues in Latin America, provided humanitarian assistance to the region through the International Organization for Migration (IOM) and the Office of the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) based in Honduras last year. He went on to express hope that such efforts would help address migration challenges facing Honduras.

5. Vice Minister Garcia took note of Korea’s contributions to Honduras’ socio-economic development through various development cooperation projects, highlighting in particular the positive impact of such projects in the areas of agriculture and forestry on Honduras’ efforts to address climate change and ensure food security. He also expressed appreciation to Korea for its provision of humanitarian assistance through international organizations, saying that it contributed significantly to responding to migration and refugee issues.

6. Both sides noted bilateral cooperation within regional and multilateral organizations including the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI) and the United Nations, and agreed to continue cooperation on the international stage.