Productive encounter & continuous exchanges of knowledge sharing between Korea and Costa Rica during last 54 years have been confirmed once again in a welcome reception to commemorate the official visit of President Luis Guillermo Solis Rivera from Costa Rica, held in Seoul Millennium Hilton on Oct. 13 evening. This gathering was also to commemorate the 195th Anniversary of Costa Rica Independence as well.

In his welcoming remarks, Costa Rica Amb. Rodolfo Solano Quiros welcomed comprehensive strategic partnerships on the occasion of Costa Rica President's official visit to the Republic of Korea. Minister Hong Yun-sik also from the Ministry of the Interios congratulated COSTA RICA and KOREA "A New Comprehensive Cooperation Partnership" during his speech as well, quoting that Costa Rica enjoys economic prosperity as a stronghold between Europe and South American countries among others.

President Luis Guillermo Solis Rivera from Costa Rica couples corresponding to a group photo session with Minister Hong & Costa Rica Amb. Quiros(fifth & fourth from left). (Courtesy: Ministry of the Interios)

Parliamentary assemblyman Choi Kyung-hwan who was former Economy PM, said he sincerely hopes for the two countries to enlarge bilateral cooperations in the fields of creative economy, ICT, science technology etc., to name just a few fields.

Priof to this evening function, President Park Geun-hye and Costa Rican President Luis Guillermo Solis Rivera held summit talks in Seoul on Oct. 12. The two leaders agreed to bolster cooperation in order to make swift progress on negotiations for a free trade agreement (FTA) between Korea and six Central American economies: Guatemala, El Salvador, Honduras, Nicaragua, Costa Rica and Panama, according to the Embassy of Costa Rica.

During the summit, the two leaders discussed measures to substantially boost cooperation on the economy, trade, science, technology and infrastructure. They also had in-depth discussions about joint partnerships regarding responses to North Korean nuclear weapons, and on cooperation across a wide range of fields including both regional and international issues.

On one hand, based on the MOUs covering innovation and science and technology, and ones covering the creative industries, the Korean government vowed to cooperate with the Costa Rican government on its ongoing National Technical Information Service (NTIS). Finally, President Solis visited one of the Korean government`s Centers for a Creative Economy & Innovation and inspect the offices of tech firms pioneering new industries, such as the Internet of Things (IoT), IT for the finance industry (fintech) and next-generation mobile communications.