South Korea offered Costa Rica a credit tranche of 28 million dollars under easy terms in exchange for the Central American nation's support in its bid for a seat on the United Nations Security Council, press reports said Wednesday. According to the reports, South Korea's Civil Service Minister Chang-Hyun Cho made the offer on Tuesday to Costa Rican President Abel Pacheco. Both men were in the Dominican Republic after attending the inauguration of new Dominican President Leonel Fernandez. La Nacion newspaper reported that Pacheco confirmed the loan offer, which the South Koreans suggested go toward improving Costa Rica's Internet communications. Pacheco said the suggestion "would be considered". The Costa Rican president also met with Taiwan's Premier Yu Shyi- Kun who expressed an interest in free trade negotiations. But Pacheco said Costa Rica prefers to steer a steady course in free trade having recently inked a free trade accord with the United States. The Costa Rican leader gave a similar response to Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva, who also hinted at free trade with Central America.
