Relationship dossier
Costa Rica
South Korea
Relationship assessment
Trade cooperation and bilateral agreements underpin constructive Costa Rica–South Korea relations
Costa Rica toward South Korea
+35Costa Rica joined the Korea–Central America Free Trade Agreement, which took effect for Costa Rica in 2019. In 2021, Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado visited South Korea and advanced bilateral cooperation through agreements.
South Korea toward Costa Rica
+35South Korea concluded the Korea–Central America Free Trade Agreement with Costa Rica and implemented it for Costa Rica in 2019. In 2021, South Korea hosted Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado and advanced bilateral cooperation through agreements.
Overall relationship
+35The relationship has a durable economic foundation in the trade agreement and has received further high-level attention through the 2021 presidential visit and associated agreements. These features support a constructive partnership, although the breadth and practical results of cooperation outside these areas are less clear.
How to read these scores
Scores are rough judgments, not objective measurements or current verification. Directional scores describe government policy and conduct, not public opinion. The overall score is an independent estimate, never an average.
- −100
- Extreme sustained hostility
- −50
- Substantially adversarial
- 0
- Mixed or neutral, supported by knowledge
- +50
- Substantially cooperative
- +100
- Exceptionally close sustained partnership
“Not assessed” means there is no recorded score. Pair existence makes no claim about diplomatic recognition or established relations.
Relationship context
Overview
Costa Rica and South Korea have developed practical economic cooperation, including Costa Rica's participation in the Korea–Central America Free Trade Agreement, which took effect for Costa Rica in 2019. A 2021 presidential visit and bilateral agreements also advanced cooperation. The relationship appears constructive, though the scope and continuity of cooperation beyond these areas are unclear.
Key developments
The Korea–Central America Free Trade Agreement took effect for Costa Rica.
Costa Rican President Carlos Alvarado visited South Korea, and the countries advanced bilateral cooperation through agreements.
Major uncertainties
- The scope and implementation of bilateral cooperation beyond trade and the agreements associated with the 2021 visit are unclear.