Estonia and the Republic of Korea

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Estonia and the Republic of Korea

Bilateral relations

(last updated: 13.12.2011)

The Republic of Korea recognised Estonia on 6 September 1991. Diplomatic relations between the two countries were established on 17 September 1991.

Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Estonia Park Dong-sun, who resides in Helsinki, presented his credentials to President Toomas Hendrik Ilves on 18 November 2010. The Honorary Consul of the Republic of Korea in Estonia as of February 1993 is Priit Maran, who was appointed Honorary Consul General in 2003.

Estonian Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Andres Unga presented his credentials to the President of the Republic of Korea on 12 October 2010. Andres Unga resides in Beijing.

Visits

to Estonia
July 2011	Korean Parliament Speaker Park Hee Tae
December 2008	Deputy Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea Lee Yong-joon
April 2002	The The Korean Foreign Trade Association’s (KITA) President Kim Jae-Chul on a visit to Estonia. An agreement on co-operation between the Estonian Chamber of Commerce and Industry was signed

to Korea
November 2011	Delegation of the Riigikogu foreign affairs committee
January 2010	Foreign Minister Urmas Paet visiting the Republic of Korea
June 2008	Minister of Finance Ivari Padar at the meeting of ASEM finance ministers in Seoul

Agreements

Agreement on cooperation in education, science and culture (came into force 20.07.01);
Agreement on the abolition of visa requirements (came into force 18.08.01).
Agreement for the avoidance of double taxation (came into force 23.09.2009)

Economic relations

TRADE

In the first half of 2011, Korea was ranked as Estonia’s 34th trade partner. Estonia’s exports to Korea totalled 8.2 million EUR and imports totalled 12.6 million EUR in value.

All economic figures originate from the Statistical Office of Estonia

Education and Culture

Many Estonian universities have concluded co-operation agreements with universities in the Republic of Korea. There are Korean restaurants operating in Estonia, and there is also an active ethnic Korean folk dance ensemble.