Latvian Ambassador presents credentials to the President of the Republic of Korea

On 14 April 2021, in an official ceremony in Seoul, the Ambassador of Latvia, Āris Vīgants, presented his credentials to the President of the Republic of Korea, Moon Jae-in, with the Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, Chung Eui-yong, in attendance.

Ambassador Vīgants extended greetings from the President of Latvia, Egils Levits, to the President of the Republic of Korea, and underlined that there is a considerable potential for growth in the relationship between the two countries through expanding political and business cooperation, promoting trade and investment, as well as cooperation in education, science and technology.  

During the accreditation, discussions addressed cooperation between Latvia and South Korea including in international organisations, and the mutual benefits derived from the Free Trade Agreement between the European Union and the Republic of Korea since it came into force a decade ago.

The Korean President expressed appreciation for the invitation to visit Latvia, welcomed the opening of embassies of both countries and looked forward to further cooperation including on support for peace in the region and on the Korean Peninsula.  

During the conversation, the Ambassador pledged to strengthen bilateral cooperation through pursuit of an active political dialogue as well as developing cooperation in economy and culture. The officials also discussed challenges to be addressed by both countries in relation to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Latvia and Korea are celebrating the 30th anniversary of the establishment of their diplomatic relations, a significant milestone for the multifaceted cooperation which has arisen.

Diplomatic relations between Latvia and Korea were established on 22 October 1991. Āris Vīgants is succeeding Pēteris Vaivars, who was posted to South Korea in 2016 as the first resident Ambassador of Latvia.