‘Korea-Cuba diplomatic relations’ decided in top secrecy at the Cabinet meeting… The ministers also found out after submitting it.

In order to maintain extreme security regarding the establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba, which was suddenly announced on the night of the 14th, the government also passed a resolution at the Cabinet meeting, which was a necessary procedure, in extreme secrecy the day before the announcement.

A cabinet meeting was held at the Seoul Government Complex and Sejong Government Complex on the morning of the 13th, presided over by Prime Minister Han Deok-soo. At this meeting, which was held via video conference between the State Council members sitting separately in Seoul and Sejong, an agenda item that the State Council members had not heard of in advance was suddenly submitted. The proposal was for Korea to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba, the only socialist country without diplomatic ties. Initially, the meeting was presided over by the Prime Minister, not the President, and the main issues were explained to the media in advance, including the promulgation of 39 bills and the revision of 7 presidential decrees.

Fortunately, the diplomatic relations plan for resolution was distributed only in paper form. It did not appear on the computer monitor at the desk where the State Councilor sat. It is said that only at this time did other State Council members, excluding Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yeol, realize that the establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba was imminent. Minister Cho is known to have requested that thorough security be maintained until the official announcement on the night of the 14th. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs remained alert until the end, recalling the written materials distributed after the resolution on the establishment of diplomatic relations and the end of the cabinet meeting.

[자료사진] Yongsan Presidential Office Building

The government kept the diplomatic relations plan secret even in the press release distributed after the end of the cabinet meeting. The press release explained that at the Cabinet meeting on the 13th, in addition to 39 bills for promulgation of laws and 7 presidential decrees, ‘1 general agenda item’ was decided. Second Vice Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Jang Mi-ran, who was the government spokesperson, also kept quiet about the details of the establishment of diplomatic relations in a briefing on the results of the cabinet meeting. A government official said, “Considering the diplomatic repercussions if the establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba was exposed in advance, the decision at the Cabinet meeting had no choice but to be made in utmost secrecy.”

Article 89 of the Constitution stipulates that treaty proposals with foreign countries, important foreign policy issues, and important military matters must be deliberated by the State Council. The fact that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs maintained extreme security and presented the matter to the State Council can be interpreted as an attempt to comply with constitutional provisions while minimizing the risk of an outbreak when the fact that diplomatic relations were being promoted was made public. A government official said, “We also took into account the strong opposition from North Korea that would be expected if the establishment of diplomatic ties with Cuba were made known to the outside world in advance.”

Source: Donga

Mark

Mark Jones is a world traveler and journalist for News Rebeat. With a curious mind and a love of adventure, Mark brings a unique perspective to the latest global events and provides in-depth and thought-provoking coverage of the world at large.