SEOUL, The government approved the establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba during a Cabinet meeting earlier this week, but did not disclose it to maintain secrecy around highly sensitive diplomatic negotiations, a source said Thursday.

The source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, made the revelation hours after South Korea announced its establishment of diplomatic relations with Cuba, a country that has long had close ties with North Korea.

The source said the government gave its approval during a Cabinet meeting led by Prime Minister Han Duck-soo on Tuesday after tabling the item on the spot.

Cabinet members were given a piece of paper outlining the item during the meeting and the papers were collected immediately afterward. A press release following the meeting noted one item tabled on the spot but did not provide further details.

Source: Yonhap News Agency