By Kayla Lee Chungcheongbuk-do (Chungbuk) and Vinh Phuc Province, Vietnam, celebrated the 10th anniversary of their sisterhood and 15th anniversary of their friendship at the Grand Plaza Hotel in Cheongju on Oct. 16. The event was attended by Chungcheongbuk-do Governor Kim Young-hwan and Vinh Phuc Provincial People's Committee Chairman, among others. Business exchanges were also held with companies from the province that have established a presence in Vietnam or wish to do so. The cooperation between the two provinces was initiated in 2008, when Vinh Phuc's Deputy Governor visited the province
By Lee Kap-soo Gyeonggi-do Governor Kim Dong-yeon met with Helen Clarkson, CEO of The Climate Group, to explain Gyeonggi-do's commitment to overcoming the climate crisis and becoming carbon neutral, and to propose international cooperation on Oct. 4. He also expressed his intention to join the Under2 Coalition, a global coalition of local governments on climate change policy, of which The Climate Group is the secretariat. During a meeting with Helen Clarkson, CEO of The Climate Group, at the Roh Moo-hyun Civic Center in Seoul, Gov. Kim Dong-yeon said, "Gyeonggi-do is the most proactive provinc
By Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol hosted a dinner on Oct. 17 at the Cheong Wa Dae guesthouse with more than 90 people, including civilian and government members of the National Unity Committee (first and second terms), four leaders of the People Power Party, the presiding officers and secretaries of the National Assembly, and the secretary and chief of staff of the presidential office. The dinner was organized as a forum for informal communication and harmony among key members of the National Unity Committee, and to share the purpose, direction, and values of national unity among the Na
By Lee Jon-young Since taking office late last year, Daejeon Police Chief Chung Yong-geun has significantly increased the number of investigative officers to ensure that frontline officers are able to protect the safety of the public. Ahead of National Police Day, which falls on Oct. 21, the Diplomacy Journal had a special interview with him about his achievements, the nature of policing in Daejeon, and the recent reorganization of the police force. The following is the full-text of the special interview with Daejeon Police Chief Chung Yong-geun by Chairman-Publisher Lee Jon-young of Diplomacy
By Kim Ji-eun Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin announced the launch of the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit Preparatory Commission and hosted its first meeting on October 13, 2023, in the presence of participants from 20 government agencies and other relevant organizations including the Korea-Africa Foundation. Foreign Minister Park, in his opening remarks, explained that President Yoon Suk-yeol has been engaging in high-level exchanges with African countries more actively than any other previous administrations since his inauguration in May 2022, based on his strong willingness to dramatically st
By Lee Kap-soo Hyundai Motor Group and Georgia Tech signed a memorandum of understanding on Sept. 19 to collaborate on research and applications to support the future of sustainable mobility, including developing a hydrogen economy, workforce development, and making cities smarter and more sustainable, among many other areas of cooperation. The group is investing $12.6 billion in new dedicated electric vehicle and battery manufacturing facilities in Georgia. The investment includes the $7.59 billion Hyundai Motor Group Metaplant America (HMGMA) site in Bryan County, Georgia that will create mo
By Lee Kap-soo Christopher Koo, chairman of the Korea International Trade Association (KITA), hosted a networking dinner for ASEAN and Middle East ambassadors at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul on Oct. 5 to exchange views on economic cooperation with their respective countries and request their support for the 2030 Busan World Expo. The dinner was attended by 35 ambassadors and diplomats from 21 ASEAN and Middle Eastern countries, according to a statement by the KITA. On the Korean side, more than 20 representatives of KITA and trade enterprises were present. "Based on our firm support for 'ASEAN-ce
By Kayla Lee The Gyeongsangnam-do (Gyeongnam) delegation for international cooperation in aerospace visited the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) headquarters in Washington, D.C., on Oct. 5 (local time) to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation in aerospace for the successful opening of the Korea Aerospace Administration in Sacheon. The visit was organized to find implications for establishing the space agency and fostering related industries by visiting the headquarters of NASA, the world's leading space development organization. The delegation listened to specific examples
By Kim Ji-eun President Yoon Suk-yeol said, "The Republic of Korea will play a necessary role in establishing global digital norms and achieve digital innovation in solidarity with the world to maximize human freedom and well-being." President Yoon delivered a keynote speech at the New York Digital Vision Forum at New York University on Sept. 21 (local time), calling on the world to "join us in realizing a digital shared society based on the 'Digital Bill of Rights' that Korea will soon release." The Digital Bill of Rights is a 'charter' that provides the basic direction of the new digital ord
By Lee Kap-soo First Lady Kim Keon-hee visited Cheongju Zoo in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea, to inspect various facilities and activities to promote animal welfare and to encourage officials on Oct. 5.. In April, Kim visited the Chungnam Wildlife Rescue Center to learn about the rescue, treatment, and rehabilitation of wild animals, and heard the heartbreaking story of a male lion nicknamed the "rib lion" because he was unable to eat properly a few months ago. This inspired Madam Kim, wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol, to take a deeper interest in not only pets, but also wildlife and
By Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol made a surprise visit to the National Hangeul Museum on the morning of October 5, ahead of the 577th Hangeul Day (October 9). The National Hangeul Museum opened on October 9, 2014, to promote the literary and cultural values of Hangeul, the nation's greatest cultural heritage, and is holding various events this week from October 4 to celebrate the 2023 Hangeul Week with the theme of "The Power of Hangeul to Tap the Future. In the front yard of the Hangeul Museum, children from Gwangmyeong City's Yebit Kindergarten and Hanam City's Myeongsung Daycare Cen
Diplomacy Journal 관리자 기자 | By Lee Kap-soo British Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks has been honored for his contributions to the development of bilateral relations on the occasion of the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and the UK. According to the British Embassy on Oct. 4, Amb. Crooks received the Special Ambassador Award for his contribution to the development of the relationship between the UK and South Korea at the World Culture Festival's Korean Day event organized by the World Culture Association at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. "Bo
By Kayla Lee President Yoon Suk-yeol met with chairmen of overseas Korean organizations from around the world on Oct. 5 and said, "Establishing a network with our compatriots and creating the Overseas Korean Affairs Office to closely monitor you is in line with our government's philosophy of pursuing internationalism while solidifying our country's liberal democracy and market economy. We will expand the playing field for our 7.5 million compatriots to run together." President Yoon attended the World Congress of Chairmen of Overseas Korean Organizations and the 17th World Korean Day Ceremony a
By Kim Ji-eun The 28th Busan International Film Festival kicked off with the opening ceremony held at the Haeundae Cinema Center in Haeundae-gu, Busan, started at 6 p.m. on Oct. 4. It was attended not only by the audience but also by various international filmmakers and Busan city officials. The 5,000-seat outdoor theater was packed early on. The organizers, who expanded the scope of the event to pre-COVID-19 levels by closing roads near the venue, held the red carpet event somewhat earlier than originally planned. Asian Movie Personality of the Year winner, Hong Kong star Chow Yun-fat, specia
By Lee Kap-soo President Yoon Suk-yeol attended the "71st anniversary of the founding of the Korean Veterans Association and the Total Security Resolution Conference of the Chairmen of Towns, Counties, and Villages" at the Olympic Hall in Jamsil Olympic Park on Oct. 4. The event was organized to commemorate the 71st anniversary of the founding of the Korean Veterans Association and to share examples of spreading public security awareness and revitalizing the organization of the ROK Armed Forces, and to strengthen the resolve of its members to defend the liberal democratic system and support th