Guatemalan embassy in Korea hosts reception marking 204th independence anniversary
Ambassador stresses shared values, hails FTA as path to deeper cooperation
The Embassy of Guatemala in Korea hosted an official reception on September 26 at the Ambassador Pullman Hotel in Seoul to commemorate the 204th anniversary of Guatemala’s Independence.
The event brought together officials from the Korean government, members of the diplomatic corps in Seoul, Guatemala’s Honorary Consuls in Busan and Pohang, as well as representatives from the business, cultural, and academic sectors, alongside members of the Guatemalan community in Korea.
In her commemorative address, Guatemalan Ambassador to Korea Sarah Solís Castañeda reflected on the historical significance of independence while underscoring the strength of bilateral ties. “Korea is both a strategic partner and a close friend,” she said, adding that Guatemala’s entry into the Korea–Central American Integration System (SICA) Free Trade Agreement will open new avenues for exchange, cooperation, and investment between the two nations.
Ambassador Solís also highlighted culture as a bridge linking the two countries, noting that Guatemala and Korea co-hosted an exhibition this year featuring Tak’alik Ab’aj, a UNESCO World Heritage Site. During the event, she wore a traditional Mayan ceremonial huipil, symbolizing Guatemala’s cultural identity and ancestral textile heritage.
The Guatemalan Embassy reaffirmed its commitment to deepening friendship, cooperation, and mutual understanding with Korea across political, economic, cultural, and academic fields.
More than 7,000 Koreans currently reside in Guatemala, making it the fourth-largest Korean community in Latin America and the largest in Central America and the Caribbean. Around 200 Korean companies are active in the country, contributing to robust economic and social exchanges.