Belize Strengthens Ties With South Korea at CARICOM Summit

Belize has used this week’s CARICOM Heads of Government meeting to advance diplomatic engagement with the Republic of Korea, including discussions linked to the International Court of Justice and wider areas of cooperation. Ambassador Oscar Arnold, Chief Executive Officer in the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Foreign Trade, met with Jin Hyun Paik, the Republic of Korea’s candidate for election to the ICJ. Paik used the meeting to present his candidature and outline his vision for service on the Court. The discussions were held on the margins of the Fifty-First Regular Meeting of the CARICOM Conference of Heads of Government.  Also present was Jin Hae Kim, the Republic of Korea’s Government Representative to CARICOM. Beyond the ICJ candidature, the meeting explored ways to deepen Belize–Korea relations, including possible cooperation through the Central American Bank for Economic Integration, artificial intelligence initiatives, and developments within the Central American Integration System, SICA.  The two sides also discussed the proposed negotiation of a visa-waiver agreement between Belize and the Republic of Korea.