By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo On May 14, 2024, within the framework of the celebration of the 300th anniversary of birth of the great Turkmen poet and thinker Magtymguly Fragi, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Korea held an international scientific conference and the exhibition in the Yongsan district Administration building of Seoul. The heads and staff of the Central Asia-Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum Secretariat, heads of the diplomatic missions accredited in the Republic of Korea, researchers, representatives of creative intellectuals, students as well as media repre
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo In March 2024, President of the Sungkyunkwan University Yoo Ji-beom led a delegation to Kazakhstan to strengthen academic ties and explore new collaborations. The visit included stops at three universities: Satbayev University, Gumilyov Eurasian National University (ENU), and Nazarbayev University. The primary focus of the visit was to discuss opportunities for educational and research cooperation. The delegation discussed student exchange programs, attracting top Kazakh students to Sungkyunkwan's graduate schools, and nurturing experts in science and engineeri
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul visited China and had a meeting with Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, on May 13. The two ministers agreed to continue their cooperation for the success of the 9th Korea-Japan-China Summit to be held soon in Korea. It was the first meeting between the two ministers since Minister Cho took office. During the meeting and the ensuing dinner, the two sides held in-depth discussions on issues of mutual interest including overall Kore
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The 94th Namwon Chunhyang Festival, Korea's longest-running traditional performing arts festival, kicked off on May 10 with an opening ceremony attended by more than 5,000 domestic and foreign guests. According to Namwon City and the Chunhyang Festival Committee, the 94th Namwon Chunhyang Festival was held for seven days from May 10 to 16 in Gwanghanruwon, Namwon, under the theme of 'Chunhyang, falls in love with color' with more than 40 programs. With the active participation of foreign ambassadors, senior diplomats and overseas performance teams, the festival
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo KEPCO, led by CEO Kim Dong-cheol, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic for technical cooperation in the energy sector, KEPCO announced on May 10. The MOU provides an opportunity for KEPCO to cooperate with the Kyrgyz Republic on new energy technologies such as high-voltage direct current transmission (HVDC) and intelligent electricity metering system (AMI). “We will share our experience in growing the power business with the Kyrgyz Republic and continue to cooperate on new energy projects such as high-vol
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul, who visited Australia to attend the sixth ROK-Australia Foreign and Defense Ministers’ (2+2) Meeting, held a “Meeting with Businesspeople” with Korean entrepreneurs in Melbourne on April 30, and also had a “Dialogue with the Young Generation” for Korean students studying in Australia and participants of working holiday programs. During the meeting with businesspeople, Minister Cho said that the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will spare no effort in providing necessary support to Korean businesses for expanding exports and o
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol said at a press conference on May 9, “I will mobilize all the country's capabilities to overcome the declining birthrate, which is a national emergency,” and announced the establishment of a new planning ministry, tentatively titled the 'Ministry of Low Birthrate Response Planning,' to prepare for a low birthrate and aging population.” President Yoon made the announcement in a message to the public earlier in the day at a press conference on the second anniversary of his inauguration at the Yongsan presidential office in Seoul. “We wil
By Kim Hak-young Portrait paintings have played a very important role in art history over the ages, and the writer met Jisan Park Young-gil at his Insa-dong studio. There is a painter in the Korean art world who is considered a master of portrait painting. This is Park Young-gil, chairman of the Korean Portrait Painters Association. The moment you enter Park's studio in Insa-dong, Seoul, you are greeted by works that speak volumes about his mastery of portraiture. From the majestic and vivid portraits of the late President Park Chung-hee to former U.S. President Reagan to the world-famous base
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo GS E&C, Dongbu E&C, and Daebo E&C have received a one-year ban from bidding on public works projects from LH in connection with the collapse of the underground parking lot of an apartment building in Geomdan, Incheon, last year. GS E&C and Dongbu E&C announced on May 3 that they have been notified by LH that they have been banned from bidding on public works projects. As a result, the companies will not be able to participate in bidding for public works projects ordered by domestic public institutions for one year from May 22 this year to Ma
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul hosted luncheon for Mr. Hao Peng, Secretary of the Liaoning Provincial Committee of the Communist Party of China who was visiting Korea on April 24. Over the luncheon, the two sides exchanged views on ways to enhance substantive cooperation between Korea and Liaoning Province, among other topics. Minister Cho welcomed Secretary Hao's visit to Korea as the first of its kind by a Chinese provincial secretary since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic. He emphasized the crucial role of enhanced exchanges between provinces of K
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo In commemoration of the 75th anniversary of the Philippines-Korea diplomatic relations, a solo exhibition by the famous Filipino artist Lenore RS Lim was held from May 1 to 6 at Maru Art Center in Insa-dong Seoul. The solo exhibition, which was organized by the Embassy of the Philippines in Korea and supported by Diplomacy Journal, was held under the title of “Interwoven Horizons.” More than 100 guests, including H.E. Ambassador Carlos Penafiel of Mexico in Seoul and his spouse, Mrs. Regina Flores Chuzeville, and Baek Soo-mi, chairperson of Hansae Yes24 Foundat
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo On May 2, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev participated in the plenary meeting of the Third Tashkent International Investment Forum at the Congress Center in Tashkent. Below is the full speech of the President of Uzbekistan at the Forum. Dear participants of the forum! Ladies and gentlemen! At the outset, let me sincerely welcome you at the third Tashkent International Investment Forum. I would like to note with pleasure that within the framework of this format, which is becoming a great annual tradition, new and reliable partners
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev participated in the plenary meeting of the Third Tashkent International Investment Forum at the Congress Center in Tashkent on May 2. The event was also attended by the Vice President of the Republic of Türkiye Cevdet Yılmaz, Speaker of the Parliament of Singapore Seah Kian Peng, Prime Minister of Kyrgyzstan Akylbek Japarov, Minister of Energy of Saudi Arabia Abdulaziz bin Salman Al Saud, President of the European Bank for Reconstruction and Development Odile Renaud-Basso, Executive Secretary of the
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Goyang Special City (Mayor Lee Dong-hwan) held an international cooperation promotion meeting inviting ambassadors from 32 countries at KINTEX on April 27. At the event, the ambassadors discussed ways to expand the number of countries participating in the Goyang International Flower Expo, revitalize coffee industry and cultural exchanges, and promote and cooperate on the designation of a free economic zone. Mayor Lee Dong-hwan welcomed and thanked the ambassadors from 32 countries, saying, “Today's world is forming a global village where boundaries between coun
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Following successful negotiations between Vice Minister of Transport of Kazakhstan Talgat Lastayev and Deputy Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport of Korea Lee Yoon-sang in February in Sejong, as well as bilateral aviation consultations in March in Almaty, national flag carrier of Kazakhstan, Air Astana, is set to resume flights between the capitals of the two countries. The resumption of the Astana-Seoul route will begin on June 15, 2024. The flights will be operated twice a week, on Wednesdays and Saturdays, using Airbus A321LR aircraft, each with