Trade talks start with South Korea

Talks started this month on a trade pact with South Korea, which would help Central America sell value-added coffee and agricultural products, among others, in exchange for Korean goods, such as electronics and motor vehicles.

The deal could be attractive for the region, because of its scale, and because Korea could provide lessons in development.

With 50 million people, Central America has a population similar to that of Korea.

Meanwhile, a Korean on average earns $28,000 a year, almost three times as much as a Costa Rican, and 14 times more than a Nicaraguan.

Any or all of the Central American countries could do the deal, which is being negotiated collectively.