Connecting Nations: Pioneers of the rapprochement between the Republic of Korea and Cuba

For decades, formal diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Cuba were nonexistent—but far from inactive. This article highlights a rarely explored aspect of contemporary diplomacy: the strategic role of non-state actors in fostering and sustaining international relations in the absence of official channels. Through the analysis of concrete cases—from members of the diaspora and scholars to business leaders, educators, and media reveals how track two diplomacy and citizen diplomacy quietly laid the foundation for mutual understanding, cooperation, and, ultimately, the formal restoration of relations in 2024. Beyond documenting these contributions, the article advocates for a conceptual rethinking of diplomacy itself—toward a model that is more pluralistic, decentralized, and aligned with the interdependent realities of the 21st century.