On 28 November, during the working visit to Seoul, President Edgars Rinkēvičs met with the President of the Republic of Korea Yoon Suk Yeol. The meeting covered political and economic relations between the two countries, defence and security cooperation, and issues related to regional security and nuclear safety, particularly in the context of the involvement of the Democratic People's Republic of Korea in the aggression of the Russian Federation against Ukraine.
During the meeting, E. Rinkēvičs expressed Latvia's interest in intensifying political dialogue and extended an invitation to the President of the Republic of Korea to visit Latvia. "The Republic of Korea is a like-minded and reliable partner in Asia. In the current geopolitical environment, it is of the utmost importance to strengthen security ties with like-minded partners. We are ready to enhance our defence cooperation," said the President of Latvia.
President Rinkēvičs thanked the Republic of Korea for its firm and vocal stance in condemning Russia's aggression against Ukraine and welcomed the Republic of Korea's partnership with NATO in enhancing practical cooperation on security issues and in support of Ukraine.
At the meeting, the President of Latvia emphasised the need to intensify efforts to provide Ukraine with comprehensive support, given the crucial importance of ensuring its success on the battlefield.
E. Rinkēvičs invited the Republic of Korea to join the NATO Centre of Excellence for Strategic Communications in Riga, which is currently devoting increasing attention to the security challenges posed by artificial intelligence. "Hybrid activities, including cyber-attacks, are becoming a significant tool for achieving strategic and political goals. Therefore, Latvia is ready to enhance cooperation with the Republic of Korea in addressing hybrid and cyber threats," President of Latvia stated.
During the conversation, the President of Latvia outlined Latvia's concerns regarding the potential misuse of artificial intelligence in disrupting democratic elections. E. Rinkēvičs informed that Latvia is working at the national level on the establishment of an artificial intelligence centre to promote the safe implementation of artificial intelligence in the public and private sectors. Furthermore, Latvia endorses the initiative on the responsible use of AI in the military sphere.
During the meeting, President Rinkēvičs discussed the potential for economic cooperation in the field of biomedical and information technologies, as well as trade opportunities, paying particular attention to increasing exports of wood and poultry meat from Latvia to the Republic of Korea.
During his working visit to the Republic of Korea, the President of Latvia is scheduled to meet with the Speaker of the National Assembly, Woo Won-shik, and the Minister of the Interior and Safety of the Republic of Korea, Lee Sang-min. President Rinkēvičs will also visit the National Disaster and Safety Status Control Centre and attend a solemn ceremony at the Korean War Memorial to commemorate Latvian soldiers who died in the Korean War.
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On 5 September 1991, the Republic of Korea recognised the restoration of independence of the Republic of Latvia, and on 22 October of the same year, diplomatic relations between the two countries were established.
Four Latvians made the ultimate sacrifice in the Korean War, serving in the US Army – Private Aivars Kārlis Salenieks and Private First Class Bruno Glāzers, Rūdolfs Liepa and Jānis Krūmiņš.
