People walk on the street in downtown Havana, Cuba, Nov. 21, 2023. Reuters-Yonhap

The planned opening of the South Korean embassy in Cuba has been delayed, with officials now targeting early next year for its inauguration, later than the initial date set at the end of this year.

The delay stems not from political reasons but from several logistics and material procurement challenges in Cuba. Efforts to secure office furniture and other necessary supplies for the new embassy have been hampered by ongoing shortages and difficulties in obtaining materials locally. Officials told Yonhap News Agency that frequent power outages and fuel shortages have significantly hindered logistical operations there, making it difficult to obtain even small items.

Currently, South Korean diplomats and staff have set up a temporary office at a business trade center in Havana, which houses offices for Cuba's state-run telecommunications company and major airlines. The center is conveniently located near the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency office and several other foreign embassies.

The South Korea-Cuba diplomatic relationship was officially established on Feb. 14 this year when both countries exchanged diplomatic notes at the United Nations in New York. Since then, the two nations have fostered closer ties, including the first meeting between their foreign ministers in September during the U.N. General Assembly.

This new diplomatic relationship, however, drew immediate displeasure from North Korea, which has maintained brotherly ties with Cuba since they forged diplomatic relations in 1960.

Since the establishment of South Korea-Cuba ties was announced, the North reduced its state media's coverage of Cuba. In late September, North Korean Ambassador to Cuba Han Su-chol visited Cuban President Miguel Díaz-Canel to deliver a message from North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, emphasizing the importance of North Korea-Cuba relations.

Despite these diplomatic tensions, South Korea is continuing efforts to establish a fully functioning embassy in Cuba, with the government reportedly requesting Cuba's cooperation to expedite the process.