By Lee Kap-soo GS E&C (Engineering & Construction) is still reeling from the aftermath of the 'Incheon Geomdan Apartment collapse incident'. The company's financial health has been put on red alert as the cost burden of rebuilding the entire complex has increased, and profitability has declined due to the downturn in the housing market and rising cost rates. According to the industry sources, GS E&C's growing debt and deteriorating financial strength are weighing on its creditworthiness. Korea Ratings recently downgraded GS E&C's unsecured bond rating to 'A/stable' from 'A+/neg
By Lee Kap-soo Ambassador of Kazakhstan Nurgali Arystanov held a meeting with Deputy Minister of Foreign Affairs for Political Affairs of Korea Chung Byung-won, during which the parties compared notes on the agenda of Kazakh-Korean cooperation, on Dec. 14. During the meeting, special attention was paid to the schedule of upcoming bilateral events, interaction within the framework of multilateral structures, including the CICA and the Central Asia - Republic of Korea format. In the context of further enhancing trade and economic cooperation in promising areas such as energy, technology transfer
By Lee Kap-soo Ambassador of Kazakhstan Nurgali Arystanov held a meeting on Dec. 13 with the Speaker of the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea Kim Jin-pyo, during which they discussed the current state and prospects of inter-parliamentary cooperation. During the meeting, Ambassador Nurgali Arystanov conveyed warm greetings from Chairman of the Mazhilis of the Parliament of the Republic of Kazakhstan Erlan Koshanov, who made a successful visit to Korea last September. The importance of conducting parliamentary diplomacy, including within the framework of the Kazakhstan–Korea Friendship
By Lee Kap-soo (New Year Message) Dear readers of the Diplomacy Journal, It is indeed a privilege to serve as the Turkish Ambassador in this beautiful country, with whom we describe our relations as “blood brothers”. Me and my family have been filled with joy for the warm reception and enduring friendships that have blossomed throughout the past year. In spirit of unity, friendship, fraternity and collaboration, I look forward to the coming year as an opportunity to further strengthen the bonds between Türkiye and the Republic of Korea. Our two great nations have a rich historical and cultural
By Lee Kap-soo (New Year Message) Dear readers of the Diplomacy Journal, I would like to extend warmest congratulations to all the readers of Diplomacy Journal on the New Year 2024 and express my sincere gratitude for your crucial support and assistance in strengthening multifaceted relations between the Republic of Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea. The past year has been very eventful and fruitful for the enhanced strategic partnership between the two countries. In 2023, regular meetings took place between the leaderships of the two countries, including between Presidents Kassym-Jomart To
By Lee Jon-young, Publisher-Chairman of Diplomacy Journal President Yoon Suk-yeol's government has about 120 national tasks. Under the national vision of "Korea again, a country of new people," the Yoon administration has been going all-out to achieve six big national goals with the attitude of Korea’s No. 1 salesman. However, the government is facing serious difficulties due to stiff opposition from the giant opposition party and is under some pressure to fulfill the national tasks. However, the Yoon administration has been actively earning foreign currency for its goals by holding a series o
By Lee Kap-soo (New Year Message) Dear readers of the Diplomacy Journal, I wish all readers of Diplomacy Journal all the best in the coming year 2024. The year 2023 was a very special year for us as it marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Switzerland. It was also the 70th anniversary of Switzerland's presence on the Korean Peninsula as a member of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission. Over the past six decades, our two countries have cultivated a solid partnership in politics, economics, science, technology, business, art and design. On th
By Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of Cambodia in Seoul and the Korea International Trade Association (KITA) jointly held the 2nd Korea-Cambodia Business Forum at the Trade Tower in Seoul on Dec. 21. The forum was attended by Ambassador of Cambodia to Korea Chring Botumrangsay, Executive Vice Chairman Jeong Marn-ki of KITA, Oknha Sok Piseth, vice president of the Cambodian Chamber of Commerce and more than 150 Cambodian government officials and Korean businessmen. "The new Cambodian government's aggressive investment promotion policy has created a favorable environment for Korean businessmen to enter
By Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol and Prime Minister Mark Rutte of the Kingdom of the Netherlands held talks on December 12-13, 2023, on the occasion of President Yoon's state visit to the Netherlands. Recalling the Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership adopted on the occasion of Prime Minister Mark Rutte's visit in November 2022, the two leaders agreed as follows. On the 70th anniversary of the signing of the Korean War Armistice, the two leaders recognized the sacrifices made by Dutch soldiers in the Korean War, which broke out before the two countries establ
By Lee Kap-soo (New Year Message) Dear readers of the Diplomacy Journal, As we bid farewell to 2023 and welcome the promising year of 2024, I would like to extend my warmest New Year greetings to you and your esteemed readers. First and foremost, I would like to congratulate the people and government of the Republic of Korea on the occasion of the New Year. May this year bring an abundance of joy, prosperity, and fulfillment to every individual and their families. Let us envision a future filled with peace, security, and the realization of dreams and aspiration. As we embark on this new chapte
By Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee, who are on a state visit to the Netherlands, attended a state dinner hosted by King Willem-Alexander at the Royal Palace in Amsterdam on December 12. The dinner was attended by more than 210 guests, including members of official entourage, businessmen, and key figures from both countries. During the dinner, King Willem-Alexander said that the Republic of Korea is no longer a distant stranger to the Dutch and that a "Korean fever" is sweeping the Netherlands, and that the Netherlands is very pleased that the Republic of Korea
By Lee Jon-young The reporter met with Chief Jung Young-jin of Busan Coast Guard and interviewed him about his experiences with the maritime police. This article is based on an interview with Chief Jung Young-jin of the Busan Coast Guard about his experience in rescuing a coastal patrol ship carrying 25 police officers. — Ed. Chief Jung Young-jin said, "I joined the marine police directly and spent many years at sea for 34 years. First of all, I would like to thank my wife and children for believing in me and following me all these years. I could have neglected my family because I spent more t
By Lee Kap-soo (New Year Message) Dear readers of the Diplomacy Journal, As a newly appointed Ambassador of the Russian Federation to the Republic of Korea, I would like to wish you a Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year. Russia and Korea are bound by longstanding friendship and good neighborly ties. Our relations began to develop vigorously with the signing of the first bilateral treaty in 1884. In 1886, a Russian diplomatic mission was opened in Seoul. Despite many historical upheavals, from the first contacts in the 19th century to the present day Russia has always been a good neighbor of K
By Lee Kap-soo (New Year Message) Dear readers of the Diplomacy Journal, At the dawn of the year 2024, I would like to extend my best wishes to the Korean authorities, the Korean people, the local press, and especially to the Journal of Diplomacy and its distinguished readers. I take this opportunity to rejoice in the excellent and amicable relations between the Republic of Côte d'Ivoire and the Republic of Korea. Since the establishment of diplomatic relations in July 1961, my country has proudly been the first African state to establish diplomatic ties with the Republic of Korea. For this, I
By Lee Kap-soo (New Year Message) Dear readers of Diplomacy Journal, The year 2023 is coming to an end, and with it also an important year in strengthening relations between the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Korea. The most important event this year was undoubtedly the official opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia to the Republic of Korea, which took place during the official visit to Korea of the Slovenian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Tanja Fajon and the Minister of Economy, Tourism and Sports Matjaž Han. Besides the embassy becoming fully operational, w