By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Lee Jae-myung held his first phone call with New Zealand Prime Minister Christopher Luxon on the afternoon of July 1, and the two leaders exchanged views on ways to develop bilateral relations, according to a written briefing by Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong. President Lee said that New Zealand is a grateful ally that participated in the Korean War even before establishing diplomatic relations with South Korea in 1962, and that he hopes the two countries will continue to strengthen cooperation in various fields such as economy, defense and
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Lee Jae-myung held his first phone conversation with Mohammed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, President of the United Arab Emirates (UAE), on the afternoon of July 1, according to a written briefing by Presidential spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong. President Lee expressed gratitude for President Mohammed's congratulations on his inauguration and expressed hope that the two countries would work together to further strengthen the “special strategic partnership” between South Korea and the UAE, taking the opportunity of the new government's establishment. The two leade
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo "Pisco: Spirit of Peru" had a prominent participation in the "Seoul International Wines & Spirits Expo 2025", held from June 26 to 28. This flagship beverage is “pisco", a grape-based high-quality liquor distilled in Peru, where it was born in the 16th century. Some of the most popular cocktails with pisco include "Pisco Sour" (made also with egg whites and a dash of bitters), as well as "Chilcano" (made with Ginger Ale, lime wedge, or wheel, for garnish). It is the second time the Embassy of Peru participates in this international expo in collaboration wit
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon met with Singapore Ambassador to South Korea Eric Teo, who is about to leave his post, and expressed his gratitude for his contributions to exchanges between Gyeonggi Province and Singapore on June 19. The two also confirmed their commitment to further developing the cooperative relationship between South Korea and Singapore, as well as between Gyeonggi Province and Singapore. Governor Kim said to Ambassador Teo at the provincial office, “During your tenure as Singapore's ambassador to South Korea, you have made tremendo
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Yeosu World Island Exhibition Organizing Committee announced on June 28 that Paul Fernando Duclos Parodi, Peruvian Ambassador to South Korea, signed a letter of intent to participate in the 2026 Yeosu World Island Exhibition. Peru is a country with a long Pacific coastline stretching 3,000 km, and is known as a treasure trove of island culture and marine ecology, including the Bayesta Island, nicknamed the “Little Galapagos,” and the Uros Island on Lake Titicaca. Through this participation decision, Peru plans to introduce its abundant island resources and
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Lee Jae-myung had his first phone call with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong at 11 a.m. on June 30, according to a written briefing by Presidential Spokesperson Kang Yu-jeong. During the call, Prime Minister Wong, who had sent a congratulatory message shortly after President Lee's inauguration, once again extended warm congratulations and expressed his expectations for the development of South Korea-Singapore relations and his willingness to cooperate during President Lee's term in office. In response, President Lee said, “I am pleased that
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Nkubito Manzi Bakuramutsa, the Rwandan Ambassador to South Korea, visited the Chungcheongbuk-do province and met with Governor Kim Young-hwan on June 30, 2025. This visit was part of mutual exchanges that began with the visit of Kim Soo-min, Vice Governor of Chungcheongbuk-do Province, to the Rwandan Embassy in South Korea in March. During the meeting, they discussed ways to strengthen economic cooperation, cultivate bio talent, and develop the bio industry. Vice Governor Kim emphasized, “Chungbuk Province is the heart of K-Bio and a forward base for life scien
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik met with Wilfried Georg Schmidt, German Ambassador to South Korea, in the Speaker's Office on June 27, 2025. At the meeting, Speaker Woo said, “The two countries share the values of the rule of law and democracy and are core allies that have experienced the pain of division.” He added, “In particular, in the 1960s and 1970s, South Korea provided the labor force necessary for Germany’s economic reconstruction through German miners and nurses, and Germany provided financial and technical support to South Korea, creating a hist
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo SK bioscience, a global innovative vaccine and biotech company committed to promoting human health from prevention to cure, announced on June 30 that the company has secured a large-scale commercial production facility which will support entry into the global pneumococcal vaccine market. SK bioscience held a mechanical completion ceremony to mark the expansion of its vaccine manufacturing plant, L HOUSE in Andong, South Korea, on June 27. The expanded facility will serve as a production site for GBP410, a 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV21) candida
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee A total of 19 people, including ambassadors from 10 countries and their spouses, visited Gimpo and toured various places in Gimpo, including Aegibong and Jangneung, showing special interest in Gimpo's resources on June 27, 2025. On this day, Gimpo City introduced its resources to the ambassadors from 10 countries, laying the groundwork for international exchange and economic diplomacy. The ambassadors began with a rural experience activity at “Byeokkot Nongbu” in Haseong-myeon, exchanged greetings with Gimpo City Mayor Kim Byung-soo at Aegibong Peak, and then vis
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Eurasian Economic Forum was held in Minsk from June 27 to 28, reaffirming Belarus’s role as a central venue for strategic Eurasian dialogue. The high-level international gathering has brought together heads of government, senior officials, business leaders, and experts from across the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and key partner countries. In his opening address, President of the Republic of Belarus, H.E. Aleksandr Lukashenko, emphasized the importance of building a multipolar, just world order based on equal cooperation and mutual respect. The Head of Be
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Youn Young-mi, chairperson of the Korea Importers Association (KOIMA), met with Ambassador Wilfried Georg Schmidt at the German Embassy in Seoul to discuss ways to expand trade between the two countries, the Korea Importers Association announced on June 26. Ambassador Schmidt expressed his hope that the two countries would work closely together to expand trade amid the spread of protectionism and deepening global uncertainty. He also requested that the association take an active role in resolving non-tariff barriers, which are cited as a major obstacle to trade
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Tanzanian Ambassador to South Korea Togolani Edriss Mavura visited Wando to tour seaweed farms and discuss technology transfer, Wando County, Jeollanam-do Province announced on June 27. This visit was made possible after Wando County Mayor Shin Woo-cheol attended the World Bank Global Seaweed Summit held in Busan in May and gave a special lecture, which led to a connection with officials from Tanzania's Ministry of Livestock and Fisheries. Tanzanian Ambassador Mavura visited the seaweed farm in Wando with his economic advisor and met with Wando County Mayor Shin
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Kia Corporation (Kia) President and CEO Song Ho-sung has been honored with the prestigious Issigonis Trophy at the 2025 Autocar Awards. Named after the legendary automotive designer and inventor Sir Alec Issigonis, the Trophy is Autocar’s most prestigious award. Presented annually, it recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the automotive industry through innovation, leadership and exceptional business performance. Mark Tisshaw, Editor of Autocar, commented, “We’re delighted to present Ho Sung Song with the Issigonis Trophy. We’ve bee
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Women In koRea (WIR: ‘We’ in German) women leadership group of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI), in partnership with Macoll Consulting Group and The Executive Center, hosted the WIR Leadership Forum 2025 on June 26 at IFC Forum in Seoul, South Korea. The forum brought together more than 80 women leaders and professionals from businesses, academic, and international organizations to explore the evolving demands of women’s leadership in today’s dynamic workplace. The forum served as a dynamic platform to celebrate the growing influen