WASHINGTON, South Korea established diplomatic relations with Cuba on Wednesday, its mission to the United Nations said, in a surprise announcement that could pose a setback to North Korea that has long boasted brotherly ties with the Latin American country. In New York, the two countries' representatives to the United Nations exchanged diplomatic notes marking the establishment of the formal ties. Cuba is the 193rd country which South Korea has built diplomatic relations with. The announcement marked a culmination of Seoul's steadfast efforts to build a formal relationship with Cuba and expand its diplomatic foothold in Central and South America on the back of growing cultural and people-to-people exchanges. Although Cuba officially recognized South Korea in 1949, bilateral exchanges were effectively severed after Fidel Castro seized power in a 1959 revolution. On the contrary, Cuba and North Korea have maintained close brotherly ties since they forged diplomatic relations in 1960. Observers said that of ficial relations between Seoul and Havana could deepen Pyongyang's diplomatic isolation and put more pressure on the recalcitrant regime to shift away from its provocative streak and return to dialogue. "The decision to establish official relations between both states was made in accordance with the purposes and principles of the Charter of the United Nations, International Law, and in conformity with the spirit and rules established in the Vienna Convention on Diplomatic Relations of 18 April 1961," the mission said in a release. The Yoon Suk Yeol administration apparently pushed for the opening of official ties with Cuba in a low-key manner in consideration of Cuba's longtime relations with the North. The forging of the relations came as inter-Korean tensions have deepened with North Korean leader Kim Jong-un branding the South as a "primary" foe and doubling down on his regime's formidable weapons tests, including this week's round of cruise missile tests. The pursuit of the bilateral ties appear to ha ve been driven by a confluence of Havana's quest for deeper economic and cultural exchanges with Asia's fourth largest economy, and Seoul's drive to expand its global profile, observers said. In a separate press release, Seoul's foreign ministry expressed expectations that formal relations with Cuba will mark a "crucial turning point" in its efforts to strengthen diplomacy with Central and South America and further expand its diplomatic horizons. "Going forward, our government will actively cooperate with the Cuban government on follow-up steps, including the mutual establishment of diplomatic missions," the ministry said in the release. It pointed out that the diplomatic ties set an institutional foundation to expand bilateral economic cooperation and support South Korean businesses seeking to create footholds into the country's market. In Cuba, currently some 1,100 people of Korean descent reside. In the pre-pandemic era, an average of about 14,000 South Koreans visited Cuba each year, according to gove rnment data. In recent years, exchanges between the two countries in culture, people-to-people exchanges, development and other areas have steadily increased, adding to the momentum to establish formal relations. In Cuba, "ArtCor," a group of roughly 10,000 fans of Korean popular culture, is in operation as a sign of growing public interest of South Korea. Underscoring Koreans' interest in Cuban culture, a festival featuring Cuban films took place in Seoul in 2022. With formal relations with Cuba, Syria is the only remaining U.N. member state with no diplomatic ties with Seoul. In 2016, former Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se expressed Seoul's intent to forge diplomatic ties with Cuba during his official trip there. Source: Yonhap News Agency Bangkok, Commerce DITP joins forces with TCC and KM to organize the trade show THAIFEX - HOREC ASIA 2024, penetrating the hotel, restaurant, and catering business market. Push Thailand to be the HoReCa center of Asia. The Department of International Trade Promotion (DITP), Thai Chamber of Commerce (TCC) and Cologne Messe Germany (KM) announced their cooperation to organize THAIFEX - HOREC ASIA 2024 for the first time to showcase products from the HoReCa industry group (hotel, restaurant and Catering) between 6 - 8 March 2024 at IMPACT Muang Thong Thani, Bangkok, Buildings 9 - 12, expected to attract 20,000 buyers from around the world, ready to push Thailand to be the HoReCa center of Asia. Ms. Natthiya Suchinda, Deputy Director-General of the Department of International Trade Promotion, revealed that 'after the COVID-19 situation resolved, trade and tourism activities returned to normal. As a result, businesses related to the HoReCa industry, including hotels, restaurants, and catering, recovered. Demand f or products related to this group is increasing. Therefore, it is a good opportunity for Thailand that has high potential and many strengths, such as being a top destination for tourists around the world. Reputation for Hospitality or Thai hospitality and hospitality that is a highlight There are also manufacturers of quality products. Creative designers make Thai HoReCa products and services unique and different. And from the past success of the collaboration of all 3 agencies in organizing THAIFEX - ANUGA ASIA, the Department is confident that THAIFEX - HOREC ASIA will be an important trade platform that helps unlock the future of the HoReCa industry and push for Thailand is the HoReCa hub of Asia. We have more than 300 companies exhibiting in 722 booths from 24 countries, including Thailand, on an exhibition area of ??27,000 square meters, covering 9 main categories including bakery and ice cream, cafes and bars. Business cleaning and laundry dining equipment furniture group kitchen equipment Food service, technology and healthcare businesses with a special zone HoReCa World and it is expected that there will be no less than 20,000 buyers/business people visiting the event.' Mr. Sanan Angubolkul, Chairman of the Thai Chamber of Commerce Revealing the readiness of Thai entrepreneurs to participate in product and service exhibitions. Including various technologies and innovations. 'We believe that This event will help create new business opportunities for Thai entrepreneurs in the HoReCa industry, which has received a better response than expected. There were more than 120 Thai companies participating in 270 booths, ready to bring products with innovative production developments. creative design Products raised from wisdom Come join in pushing for soft power to create marketing channels internationally. We also invited a group of businessmen. Both hotel owners hotel manager Business owner, restaurant, cafe Both large and small, as well as chefs and catering businesses. including the network of the Thai Chamber o f Commerce, such as businessmen from provincial chambers of commerce Foreign Chamber of Commerce in Thailand Various trade associations visited the event. To create business negotiations and create trading value. Including expanding Thailand's economic growth further.' Mr. Phusit Sasitharanon, Advisor to the Executive Board of Cologne Messe Thailand, added that 'Based on the continued success of THAIFEX - ANUGA ASIA, collaborating to organize this event It is considered an expansion of the exhibition business to cover the hotel, restaurant and catering business segments. We have foreign exhibitors totaling 212 companies, 452 booths from 23 countries around the world. With countries in Europe, America and Asia participating in the exhibition. Focus on innovations that will help meet the needs of the modern HoReCa business, such as using AI to help enhance the work of chefs. Including telling stories about HoReCa business trends through product presentations in 6 trends, including Sustainability Showing respon sibility and caring for the environment, Contactless, contactless system, Digital Guest Experience, creating experiences through a digital system, Plant Based Menu, food from plants, Food Waste Management, food waste management, and Energy Efficiency Solutions, technology to increase energy efficiency. Along with this, we have also invited Buy from over 500 major companies to visit the show and meet exhibitors in person. In addition, the organizing committee also mentioned preparing many highlights and special activities at the event, such as the ASEAN Barista Team Championship, the Thailand Ultimate Housekeeping contest, product exhibitions in THAIFEX - HOREC Xperiential. Zone presents products and future trends of HoReCa, including educational seminars from real business gurus of the THAIFEX industry - HOREC Academy through workshop activities. Cooking demonstrations and many activities to provide knowledge and enjoyment every day throughout the event. THAIFEX - HOREC ASIA 2024 will be held between 6 - 8 March 2024 from 10:00 a.m. - 6:00 p.m. at MPAC Exhibition Center, Buildings 9 - 12 at IMPACT Exhibition and Convention Center, Muang Thong Thani. Those interested can see details and register to attend in advance at www.thaifex-horec.asia . Source: Thai News Agency