Uganda, Feb. 18 -- South Korea and Cuba on Wednesday made a surprise announcement of beginning diplomatic relations, a move that will put latter's Cold War allies, North Korea, on tenterhooks.

The development was announced by ambassadors of the two countries to the UN in New York.

"The establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba, the only country in Central and South America and the Caribbean that we did not have ties with, is an important turning point in strengthening our diplomacy with South America," the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs said in a statement.

Having agreed in principle to kick-start relations, this will be followed by reciprocal opening of diplomatic missions in each other's capital.

Cuba, which has been...