South Korea and Cuba could normalize their diplomatic relations earlier than expected as the two countries have already laid the groundwork through various exchanges, a senior Cuban official said.

Erasmo Lazcano Lopez, vice president of the Jose Marti Cultural Society, made the remark in an interview with Yonhap News Agency last week on the eve of a landmark ceremony to raise the U.S. flag at the U.S. Embassy in Havana after the two countries re-established diplomatic relations.

Lopez said the normalization of U.S-Cuba relations came in a top-down fashion led by an agreement between top leaders, but the reopening of ties between Korea and Cuba would come in a bottom-up manner as the two countries have steadily increased exchanges.

"As the groundwork has been laid well, I believe the two countries can establish diplomatic relations right away as long as there is an agreement between top leaders," he said in the interview. "In my view, the condition is better than in the case of the United States."

The United States cut off diplomatic relations with Cuba in 1961 after Fidel Castro took power in a coup in 1959. 

But after 11/2 years of secret talks, the two countries announced in December they agreed to restore relations and put the agreement into action last month.

The move prompted South Korea to pursue diplomatic ties with the Latin American nation as well. Foreign Minister Yun Byung-se and other officials said they would work harder to expand cooperation with Cuba in various areas and reopen diplomatic ties with the country.

Cuba is one of a few countries that have yet to establish diplomatic ties with South Korea.

Lopez said he cannot predict when Seoul and Havana would re-establish relations, but he believes, "The day will come when the Korean flag is raised in Havana while the Cuba flag is raised in Seoul just as the American flag was raised in Havana.

"In preparation for that day, we will try to further expand economic and cultural cooperation," he said, adding that Cuban people view South Korean people highly for their courage and diligence.

Cuba is one of a handful of countries with friendly ties with North Korea.

Lopez suggested that the traditional ties with Pyongyang are not a factor in normalizing Seoul-Havana relations. He said it is up to the two Koreas to resolve inter-Korean issues, and Cuba is only interested in improving relations with both nations separately.

"Let me emphasize this again. We don't interfere in issues between the South and the North," he said. "However, we believe that Korean unification would be a good thing ... What is important is to take a good first step. If the two sides conduct exchanges, beginning with cultural exchanges, it will bring about good results." (Yonhap)