(LEAD) S. Korea's vice foreign minister to join Caribbean states summit in Cuba

(ATTN: CHANGES 5th para based on rectified info from foreign ministry)

SEOUL, May 31 (Yonhap) -- A high-ranking South Korean foreign ministry official will leave for Cuba this week to attend a summit for Caribbean countries, a rare trip that could lay the groundwork for better bilateral relations between Seoul and Havana, the Foreign Ministry said Tuesday.

Second Vice Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul is to join the Association of Caribbean States (ACS) summit which is to kick off on Friday local time for a two-day run in Havana, according to the ministry.

South Korea was invited as an observer country by the 20-member ACS that was launched in 1995.

Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se was supposed to attend the gathering, but Cho will go there instead, as the minister is accompanying President Park Geun-hye on her trip to Africa and France.

This will mark the second time that a vice foreign minister will attend such a multilateral meeting held in Cuba with whom South Korea does not have diplomatic relations.

Experts expect that the rare occasion will be used by Seoul to deliver its interest in improving ties with Cuba. The government earlier expressed its intention to normalize diplomatic relations with the Caribbean nation down the line.

Cuba is one of four countries with whom South Korea has no diplomatic ties.

During his stay there, Cho is scheduled to make a speech at a session for observer countries on Friday. He is also expected to attend a banquet hosted by Cuban President Raul Castro on the same day.

kokobj@yna.co.kr
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