By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo
The Embassy of Ecuador in Korea held the Ecuadorian National Day reception on Aug. 8, 2025, marking the anniversary of the First Call for Independence, which occurred on August 10, 1809, a historic milestone that contributed to the formation of the Ecuadorian nation.
Delivering a speech at the reception held at the Hotel Shilla in Seoul, Ambassador Patricio Esteban Troya Suárez of Ecuador to South Korea said, “Korea and Ecuador have maintained a strong relationship of friendship and cooperation that began in 1950 during the Korean War and was formalized on October 5, 1962, when both countries established diplomatic relations.”
Stating that the political relationship between Ecuador and Korea is, fortunately, at an excellent level, Amb. Suárez said, “Both countries share values such as democracy, respect for the principles of the United Nations Charter, and environmental protection, among others. Our economies are complementary and allow us to serve as bridges between the Latin American and East Asian regions.”
He continued to say, “The Government of Ecuador considers its relationship with the Republic of Korea to be a strategic priority for my country, and in this regard, we will continue working to promote the interests of both countries and foster cooperation between them.”
Commenting that Ecuador and Korea have coordinated the work of the Ecuador-Korea Parliamentary Friendship, Amb. Suárez said, “We will propose to the Korean Foreign Ministry to organize an official visit by the President of Ecuador in 2026 and hope to jointly identify the most appropriate date for this visit.”
He added, “Ecuador seeks to have a strategic partner in the Republic of Korea that will help us establish a strong presence in Northeast Asia, and we are ready to work with the Korean authorities to strengthen Korea's presence in Latin America. We have a long history of bilateral cooperation, as well as cooperation within international organizations.”
In a congratulatory speech, Lee Jae-woong, spokesperson and deputy minister of public affairs of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, said, “Bilateral cooperation is reaching a new turning point with the signing of the Korea-Ecuador Strategic Economic Cooperation Agreement (SECA). The two countries are working closely to formally sign the agreement within this year.
“Once the agreement comes into effect, it will deepen practical cooperation not only in expanding trade and investment but also in various sectors, including infrastructure, energy, and supply chains. In particular, high-quality Ecuadorian agricultural products, such as bananas, cacao, and shrimp, enrich the Korean diet.”
Commenting that Ecuadorian roses brighten our daily lives and special moments, Deputy Minister Lee said, “Like the colorful rose, bilateral cooperation will blossom even more abundantly and beautifully, fostering friendship and shared hopes for our two countries.”
He added, “Recently, our two countries have maintained active high-level exchanges, further deepening mutual trust and cooperation. This May, our congratulatory ambassador attended the inauguration of Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa. He paid a courtesy visit to the President and held ministerial meetings, discussing ways to deepen cooperation in various areas, including national defense, the defense industry, infrastructure, and public security. Furthermore, the President expressed his intention to visit Korea soon and expressed his hopes for expanding substantive cooperation.”
The Ecuadorian National Day reception was attended by more than 200 distinguished guests from home and abroad, including foreign ambassadors to Korea, senior diplomats, high-ranking Korean government officials, business leaders, and their spouses to celebrate the event.
