By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young In 2024, the Republic of Korea and the Philippines celebrated the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations and issued a joint declaration elevating their relationship to “strategic partnership. The declaration encompasses political, defense, economic, development, maritime, and socio-cultural cooperation between the two countries, and lays out specific directions to continue mutual cooperation and development in the face of rapidly changing regional and international conditions. The Philippines was the first Asian country to support the R
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival 2024, a festival that brings together traditional and modern Thai culture, was held on October 5 and 6 at Cheonggyecheon Square in Seoul. Organized by the Royal Thai Embassy, the festival showcased a variety of Thai culture, including Thai food, T-POP performances, Muay Thai, and more, giving Seoulites and tourists a chance to experience the charm of Thailand up close. The festival ran from 10 a.m. to 9 p.m. on Oct. 5 and until 8 p.m. on Oct. 6, with various programs that allowed visitors to experience both Thai tradition and innova
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo In Tashkent was held the Fifth Forum of the Ecological Party of Uzbekistan. The party’s activities in 2020-2024, the election program, and the nomination of candidates to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis were discussed. “As part of the 2020-2024 election program, the Ecological Party of Uzbekistan plans to implement more than 80 tasks”, said the Chairman of the Executive Committee of the Central Council of the party Abdushukur Khamzayev. “During this period, members of the party faction submitted 21 draft laws to the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Ma
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo In Tashkent the 9th Congress of the Democratic Party "Milliy Tiklanish" (National Revival) took place, where the results of the party's activities from 2020 to 2024 were analyzed, and the pre-election program for 2025-2029 was approved. During the event, candidates for the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan were also nominated. Chairman of the Central Council of the Democratic Party Milliy Tiklanish Alisher Kadyrov, Chairman of the Central Council of the party, delivered a report summarizing the party’s activities over the past
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “The Korean market is one of the most important markets for Croatia tours as it was mentioned before Pandemic that more than half a million Koreans were visiting Croatia in 2019,” said Kristjan Stanicic, visiting general director of Croatian National Tourist Board on Oct. 4. At a presentation on the Croatia travel industry held at Coryo Daeyungak Tower in Seoul, Kristjan Stanicic said, “Croatia is one of the top Mediterranean and European tourism destinations with over 20 or almost 21 million visitors per year with almost 18 million overnights and 90 percent of
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Ambassador Nurgali Arystanov of Kazakhstan to Korea participated in the opening of the Chonbuk-Kazakhstan University Rector’s Forum on Sept. 25, 2024. The event, organized by the Jeonbuk International Cooperation Agency with the support of the administration of North Jeolla Province, brought together leaders from leading universities of both countries. The forum was attended by representatives of Kazakh universities, including Korkyt Ata Kyzylorda University, the Kazakh University of International Relations and World Languages, Suleyman Demirel University, and
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol presided over a ceremony marking the 76th anniversary of the ROK Armed Forces Day at Seoul International Airport on Oct. 1. About 5,300 troops and 340 pieces of equipment participated in the ceremony, which began with the national anthem, followed by the presentation of the Strategic Command's unit flag, a feverish military ceremony, the presentation of medals and commendations, and a commemorative speech. President Yoon presented the unit flag of the newly created Strategic Command to Strategic Command General Jin Young-seung, express
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol received Utah Governor Spencer Cox and exchanged views on ways to expand cooperation between Korea and Utah and the direction of the U.S.-ROK alliance on Sept. 27. The President welcomed Governor Cox to his first visit to Korea and expressed his appreciation for his role as a strong supporter of the U.S.-ROK alliance, including attending the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-ROK alliance in Utah last October and declaring October 12 as 'U.S.-ROK Alliance Day'. Calling Utah a longtime friend that fought alongside the Republic of Korea during
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of the People's Republic of China (PRC) in Seoul hosted a reception to celebrate the 75th anniversary of the founding of the People's Republic of China at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul on Sept. 26. The event commemorated the deep friendship and cooperation between China and the Republic of Korea, and was attended by more than 700 guests from all walks of life. “On October 1, 1949, the People's Republic of China was established, marking a new beginning for the Chinese people, ushering in a new era of independence, sovereignty, and progress, and following
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul, who attended the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, held a 45-minute meeting with Wang Yi, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Minister of Foreign Affairs, to exchange views on issues of mutual interest, including China-ROK relations and the Korean Peninsula on Sept. 28. The two sides evaluated the high-level exchanges between China and Korea so far this year, and decided to continue high-level exchanges at multilateral meetings in the second half of this year, incl
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The election campaign in Uzbekistan is entering an active phase. Political parties are announcing their candidates and new election programs. The First Congress of the Movement of Entrepreneurs and Businesspeople – the Liberal Democratic Party of Uzbekistan was held in Tashkent, during which the party’s activities over the past five years and plans for the future were analyzed. At the same time, the work related to preparation for the elections was considered in detail. It was noted that during the reporting period, the number of party members almost doubled fr
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo On September 25, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev attended the inaugural session of the Ninth Annual Meeting of the Board of Governors of the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank, in Samarkand. The summit’s main theme is “Building Resilient Infrastructure for All”. The agenda included current issues of the global economy and finance, strategic programs, and plans for infrastructure development in Asia and other regions of the world. The President of Uzbekistan addressed the event: Your Excellency Jin Liqun! Honorable participants o
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of the Dominican Republic and BANDITRAZOS gallery are delighted to announce the exhibition “Stillness and Change: Korea, 2021-2024”, presenting 46 signed, single-copy fine-art photographs reproduced in large format, taken in Korea by a Dominican photographer who happens to be the Dominican Ambassador. All photographs will be for sale and the profits will fund the extraordinary activities organized by the Association of Spouses of Ambassadors in Seoul (ASAS), for children who cannot be with their parents living in Korean welfare centers. Dr. Younghoo
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “Despite the geographical distance, and having cultures and societies so strikingly different from each other, Brazil and Korea have forged in these six and a half decades a solid path of mutual achievements that include vibrant partnership in trade, investment, political dialogue and cooperation,” said Ambassador Marcia Donner Abreu of Brazil to Korea at a reception on Sept. 25. Delivering address at the reception to celebrate 202 years of Brazil’s independence and the 65th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Brazil and the Republic of Korea, Amb. Donn
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Oman Embassy in the Republic of Korea hosted in its building in central Seoul, ceremony for the publication of the prestigious book “Oman: An Extended History of Friendship and Cooperation with Korea” by “Dr. Lee Hee Soo” on Sept. 24. The book launch ceremony has been sponsored by H.E Kim Chang Mo, Secretary-General of Korea Arab Society and attended by H.E Chung Kwang-yong, Deputy Director General for African & Middle Eastern Affairs Bureau, MOFA, and many other stakeholders; academicians, publishers, local media, the book translating team; Dr. Kim Jae-hee