Ecuador marked the 206th anniversary of its independence from Spain amid increasing integration with Korea spanning trade, human development and scientific collaboration.

After nearly 300 years as a Spanish colony, the Ecuadorian capital Quito ― the world’s highest capital at 2,850 meters above the sea ― called for national liberation on Aug. 10, 1809, led by criollo locals.

Although the new government lasted less than two months, the movement inspired the rest of Spanish America, with Quito being referred to as the “Light of America.”

“I am honored to celebrate with you our independence anniversary, which was forged by a brave group of patriots that formed part of the Royal Audience of Quito, an event that sparked a historical process of independence throughout Latin America,” Ecuadorian Ambassador Oscar Herrera said in a speech at a reception at JW Marriot Dongdaemun Seoul Square on Aug. 10.

“Continuing that vision of freedom, our President Rafael Correa Delgado’s government, using the strength of human capital, has worked tirelessly to bring forward a new Ecuador to the world.”

Ecuador’s current diplomatic efforts are focused on learning from the development experience of countries like Korea, the ambassador added, noting that the “Miracle on the Hangang River” resulted from decades of national unity, industrial discipline and personal dedication.

Ecuador and Korea established diplomatic relations in 1962, and the two countries recently signed several memorandums of understanding for cooperation in trade, customs, environment, energy and scientific and technological innovation.

Herrera said the two sides were striving to clinch a Strategic Economic Cooperation Agreement in line with the World Trade Organization principles, which would boost knowledge sharing and technology transfers.

Park Sang-hoon, the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ director general for Latin American and Caribbean Affairs, echoed Herrera’s view, saying that the two countries have so far collaborated on an “experimental dimension,” despite bilateral trade tripling over the last 10 years to reach $1.2 billion last year.

Park also mentioned the participation of Korean construction firms in building a photovoltaic power plant on the Galapagos Islands, which he said would contribute to conservation of the unsullied archipelago.

Ecuadorian President Correa visited Korea in 2010, and Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino in 2013 and 2014. Following his visit to Korea and Singapore, where he toured advanced industrial and technology clusters, Correa has pushed forward his vision to turn Ecuador into an innovative economy.

Ecuador is creating a new “City of Knowledge” called Yachay ― a Quechua Indian word meaning knowledge or learning ― in Urcuqui City in Imbabura Province, northern Ecuador.

As a $1 billion state-sponsored initiative, the scheme will create an ecosystem of research, educational and industrial facilities to act as a center of innovation, aiming to be South America’s Silicon Valley.

A research university with an area of over 4,856 hectares on the Andean mountains will be constructed modeled after Korea’s new city of Songdo in Incheon and Daedeok Science Town in Daejeon.

By Joel Lee (joel@heraldcorp.com)