Detail

`President and Mrs. Rodrigo Carazo Odio of the Republic of Costa Rica make an official visit to our country from October 12 through 14, 1981 at the invitation of President Chun Doo Hwan. Located in the south of Central America and bordered by Panama and Nicaragua, Costa Rica, with an area of 50,900㎢, attained independence on September 15, 1821, and today has a population of 2.20 million. With the farming of coffee and bananas and livestock as its main industry, the republic is recently putting emphasis on light industry and fishery as well. The formal diplomatic relations were established between Costa Rica and the Republic of Korea in 1962, and we have since seen rapid development of economic cooperation, trade and cultural exchange between the two countries. The formal relations between Costa Rica and North Korea, too, were set up in 1974, but the actual relations have not materialized due to the passive attitude displayed by the former. President Rodrigo Carazo Odio`s visit is certain to help further strenghen our existing relations. His visit also has special significance to us because it is not only the first visit by a Costa Rican president, but also the first state visit we have had since the start of our 5th Republic. The Ministry of Commemorative issues this commemorative stamp as a sign of our nation`s hearty welcome and also of our hope that our two republics will together develop ever closer relations in the future.`