Last week, South Korea made the surprise move to establish diplomatic relations with Cuba, despite Havana’s close relationship with North Korea over several decades.

Given Cuba’s difficult economic situation, the regime in Havana may see this normalization with South Korea as a potential boost to its fledgling post-COVID tourism economy or faltering trade sector.

But for the North Koreans, Cuba’s diplomatic move likely came as a shock. 

In recent years, South Korean diplomats engaged in private talks with Cuba, demonstrating growing South Korean interest in the Caribbean island. 

For example, former ROK Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se held a private