You have completed your official schedule.
What are your impressions of Korea?

Frankly speaking, I had little idea of Korea before I came here. All I knew was what I had heard from Mr. Kwon Tae-myun, the Korean ambassador to Costa Rica, after I entered public service. Then, after arriving in Korea, I was surprised to find out how Korea has achieved such remarkable economic development in only a short period of time of 50 years. Besides, I am fascinated with Korea’s traditional culture and the kindness of people. Personally, I wish I could stay a week longer. Anyway, it’s been a great opportunity for me to have a deeper understanding of Korea.

What motivated you to enter politics?

While studying public policy and trade at the National University of Costa Rica, I gradually acquired an interest in politics and came to think that young people’s passion and creativity could contribute to our national development. Then, I became involved with politics in earnest last year, while working as director of the youth bureau at the election camp for President Laura Chinchilla Miranda.
(After Costa Rica’s new government took office in 2010, Solorzano began her public service as vice minister of planning and economic policy, and then in 2011, she was appointed as vice minister of municipal development. She now concurrently teaches public policy at the National University of Costa Rica.)


Isn’t it unusual that you are serving as a vice
minister in your 20s?

No, it isn’t. Costa Rica is a young country. Forty-three percent of our population is aged 15 to 30, and although I’m the youngest vice minister in our government, 10 out of the 30 ministers and vice ministers are in their 30s. President Laura Chinchilla, who leads the incumbent government, has emphasized that talented young people should be given the chance to contribute to national development. Youth is a synonym not for incompetence, but rather for hope, creativity, innovation, tenacity, and prosperity. Politics needs young people, who are ready to work for the country. When the vitality of youth is combined with the experience of the older generation, we can make meaningful change.

As the vice minister of municipal development, what is your main concern?

Presently, I serve as the vice minister of municipal development and I am also involved with the Institute of Municipal Development and Assistance (IFAM). My job is to expedite the modernization and strengthen the technological capability of the seven states in Costa Rica. The Ministry of Municipal Development coordinates the administration’s programs to support local autonomy. IFAM plays the role of a bank providing financial assistance to local governments to carry out their plans for various infrastructure and public projects.

What is your political ambition?
And what do you think are the strengths of female politicians?

I like politics and I love my country. If God gives me the chance, I’d like to continue doing work related to the government. My personal belief has been that I should be wherever my nation needs me, not where I want to be. In this sense, I want to continue to serve in a public post. However, I’m not sure if there are any particular strengths that only female politicians have. My country has made numerous efforts for several decades to attain gender equality. As a result, discrimination against women is not a factor in Costa Rica today, and in 2010 Laura Chinchilla Miranda was elected as the nation’s first female president in history. But I believe that female politicians can develop more specific programs for the social issues facing our youth, such as unemployment, drug abuse, prostitution, abortion, and underage pregnancy.

Which aspects of Korea did you find to be the most impressive?

I have visited many impressive places and experienced useful programs in Korea, such as the visits to KOICA (Korea International Cooperation Agency) and the Korea Foundation for International Culture Exchange, and the “Jump” performance was highly enjoyable, but among these, I’d like to include the DMZ area that I visited yesterday. It was regrettable to see armed soldiers standing guard there, but still the DMZ was very impressive. Costa Rica’s entire territory is demilitarized. It is not that the country doesn’t have troops because it does not have the will to defend its sovereignty. Respect for international laws and agencies is the major factor of our security. We can better develop our human resources by investing in education, rather than spending money for arms and troops. I’m sure that our demilitarization policy can help to eradicate poverty, improve health care, and raise the quality of life.

(Costa Rica abolished its military with the adoption of its 1949 constitution. Born in 1983, Solorzano probably didn’t have a chance to observe a military presence. Apparently, for this reason, she gave a different response from other members of the delegation, who were mostly impressed by Korea’s traditional culture, such as the historic sites in Gyeongju.)

Costa Rica is well known for its “eco-tourism.” What does this involve?

We have a treaty to promote peace and society, and in 1970, we included articles about preservation of nature. Since then, 25 percent of the Costa Rican territory has been designated as environmental protection zones, and 40 percent of this territory is covered with forests, which makes Costa Rica the most eco-friendly country in Latin America. In addition, Costa Rica is known as the most bio-diverse country in the world. When you visit Costa Rica, I would recommend that you visit Cocos Island, which is designated as a UNESCO World Heritage site. The landscape, where volcanic areas stand in harmony with beaches, is truly memorable.

What lessons did you learn from your visit to Korea?

The most important thing that I have learned through this invitation program is that the size of a national territory does not matter at all, if you have a strong, firm, and positive national spirit. It is hard to believe that just 50 years ago, there was so little of anything in Korea. Korea and Costa Rica have territories and populations of similar sizes, but Costa Rica has been unable to achieve economic development like Korea. Thus, I think, we should emulate the tenacity with which the Koreans have achieved economic development, and make Costa Rica a more sound and competitive country.
Moreover, this visit to Korea has provided me with a good opportunity to build up my networking relations with other participants and those in Korea. Through this program, all participants came to feel that barriers, such as distance, language, and background, are not important.

Being the youngest child in her family, with three sisters and a brother who are all married, the young politician said she has seven nephews and nieces. During her free time, she enjoys mingling with her family, or watching movies, jogging, and reading, just like any other young person. She added that when she returns home, she will strongly recommend that people around her visit Korea as well. Currently, the Korean and Costa Rican governments are pushing for a free trade agreement. When the treaty is concluded, Solorzano expects that economic exchange and cooperation between the two countries will be further accelerated. Expressing her personal desire to see more of dynamic Korea before leaving, she said: “I surely want to come back.”

Kim Sung-hee Columnist