I am an editorial writer at The Korea Times, focusing on foreign policy, North Korea and domestic politics. My key areas of interest include North Korea, foreign interference in elections, election integrity, cyberattacks and human rights. Prior to joining the Editorial Board, I served as both Politics Desk editor and Culture Desk editor. During my career, I have reported on the Presidential Office under the Lee Myung-bak administration, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the National Assembly.
Honorary consul pitches Costa Rican coffee
Manuel Lopez Trigo, second from right, Costa Rican ambassador to Korea, poses with Kwon Soon-han, second from left, newly appointed honorary consul of Costa Rica; Yang In-mo, right, honorary consul general of Croatia; and Lee Chang-sup, left, president of The Korea Times at Lotte Hotel in Seoul, Wednesday. / Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
By Kang Hyun-kyung
By Kang Hyun-kyung
Kwon Soon-han, the new honorary consul of Costa Rica, has vowed to promote Costa Rican coffee in Korea.
“Costa Rica is home to premium coffee. Coffee is one of the major export products of the Central American country,” Kwon told The Korea Times over the phone, Wednesday.
“Coffee, bananas and pineapples are the top three major export products. As honorary consul, I’d like to promote Costa Rican coffee in Korea so that more Korean consumers can enjoy its high quality.”
He believes that Costa Rican coffee is underrepresented in the Korean market, but once Korean consumers discover the flavor and taste of premium Costa Rican coffee, they will undoubtedly enjoy it.
The honorary consul of Costa Rica is also president of medical devices producer Soyee Product Inc., which is based in Seoul
He says he will fulfill his duty as an honorary consul by playing a bridge role in facilitating bilateral relations between Korea and Costa Rica in the areas of business and culture.
Kwon’s bond with Costa Rica began in 2005 when he as a business delegate who accompanied then President Roh Moo-hyun’s state visit there and to Mexico. At that time, Kwon was serving as president of the Korea Importers’ Association, as well as vice president of the Korea International Trade Association.
When Laura Chinchillla, then Costa Rican president, visited Korea in August 2012 on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, Kwon played a key role.
Chinchilla, the first female president of Costa Rica, received honorary citizenship from Seoul Metropolitan Government and an honorary doctoral degree from Hankook University of Foreign Studies (HKFS).
Kwon, as president of HKFS alumni association, recommended that university authorities present the honorary degree to the Costa Rican leader.
On Wednesday, Costa Rican Ambassador to Korea Manuel Lopez Trigo invited Kwon and Korea Times President-Publisher Lee Chang-sup to dinner on the occasion of the appointment of the new honorary consul.
According to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, 107 countries have honorary consuls or honorary consuls general in Korea. They are not professional diplomats but enjoy a certain level of privileges.