By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Department of Global Culinary Arts at Woosong University recently held the Alma Chef Competition. The event, which was held in collaboration with the Embassy of Italy in Korea and the Italian Trade Corporation in Korea, is part of the World Italian Food Week. Woosong University and Alma Culinary School signed a joint curriculum agreement in June and have been conducting active educational exchanges through local training and internships. The Department of Global Culinary Arts at Woosong University collaborated with ALMA, a leading Italian culinary school, t
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young On December 3, 2024, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of emergency martial law was a political self-inflicted measure. Despite the extreme measure of martial law, the National Assembly responded immediately to defend democracy. But this is not just a simple happening. It is time to soberly analyze the intentions of Yoon's government that shook the constitutional order and democracy. Martial law, an impractical gamble, and a shaky legitimacy President Yoon declared emergency martial law in the name of “protecting constitutional order,” but it
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol held a summit with President Sadyr Japarov of the Kyrgyz Republic, who is on an official visit to South Korea, at the Yongsan presidential office on Dec. 3, 2024, and signed a joint statement to further develop bilateral relations. A total of 10 intergovernmental cooperation documents were signed in the presence of the two leaders. The Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea and the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Ky
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The 20th Korea-Middle East Cooperation Forum was held at the Shilla Hotel Seoul on Nov. 26, 2024. It was co-hosted by the Korea-Arab Society, the Jeju Peace Institute, and the Middle East Council on Global Affairs of the State of Qatar with the co-sponsorship of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea and the State of Qatar. The Korea-Middle East Cooperation Forum is a 1.5-track event that has been held since 2003 to enhance mutual understanding and deepen practical cooperation between Korea and the Middle East. This year, the forum was atten
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo In commemoration of the 75 years of diplomatic relations, the Philippines and the Republic of Korea (ROK) held their 3rd Maritime Dialogue in Incheon on Nov. 11, 2024, marking another significant step in strengthening their strategic partnership. The Maritime Dialogue was co-chaired by Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis Alferez of the Maritime and Oceans Affairs Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and by Director General Kim Dong-Bae of the ASEAN and Southeast Asian Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They were joined by Philippine Ambass
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul attended the Second Foreign Ministers' Meeting of the Group of Seven (G7) from November 25 to 26, which took place in Fiuggi, Italy, to have discussions on the situation in the Indo-Pacific region, including illegal military cooperation between Russia and North Korea, and diplomatic and security issues, as well as ways to strengthen the Korea-G7 cooperation. The foreign ministers of the G7 members and invited countries and representatives of invited international organizations discussed major foreign policy issues regarding
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu paid an official visit to the Republic of Korea on Nov. 3-5, 2024. During his visit, he was received by President Yoon Suk Yeol as part of the meeting with the heads of delegation to C5+K Forum. President Yoon emphasized the importance of enhancing multifaceted cooperation with Kazakhstan to strengthen strategic partnership. Murat Nurtleu noted that South Korea is an important partner, highlighting strong political and economic ties. At a meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, Nurt
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, who is participating as the Korean government's lead representative in the fifth meeting of the Intergovernmental Negotiating Committee (INC-5) to draft an international convention on plastic pollution, met with the Executive Director of the United Nations Environment Program (UNEP), the Chair of the INC, and senior representatives from the United States, France, China, Micronesia, and other major countries to discuss the final issues and make efforts to reconcile differences on Dec. 1, 2024. The conference has been held since Novemb
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Gwangju Metropolitan City Mayor Kang Ki-jeong met with Israeli Ambassador to Korea Rafael Harpaz at the reception room of the city hall on Nov. 28 to discuss 'exchange and cooperation plans between Gwangju and Israel'. “I would like to thank Israel for organizing the Gwangju Biennale Pavilion exhibition this year following last year,” Mayor Kang said, adding, ”I hope that various exchanges between the two countries will continue through culture.” Israeli Ambassador to Korea Rafael Harpaz said, “Israel is leading the world in the field of startups and AI, and Gw
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI, President & CEO Martin Henkelmann) has been honored with the 2024 Korea Energy Award. Presented by the Korea Energy Agency, the award recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to addressing climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. KGCCI's receipt of the award underscores its commitment to Climate Change Response and Greenhouse Gas Reduction through initiatives such as government policy development and implementation, public awareness campaigns, an
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol held a summit with Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs, who is on a working visit to South Korea, and exchanged views on ways to enhance bilateral cooperation and regional and international affairs on Nov. 28, 2024. President Yoon welcomed President Rinkēvičs' return to Korea as president six years after his visit as foreign minister in 2018, and expressed his pleasure that Rinkēvičs is making his first visit to Asia after taking office. The two leaders appreciated the steady development of friendly and cooperative relations between the
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo POSCO Group is advancing plans to build an integrated steel mill in India, a growing market with a population of 1.4 billion. On October 21, POSCO Group signed an MOU with JSW Group, India’s leading steel company, in Mumbai to collaborate on business ventures in the steel, secondary battery materials, and renewable energy sectors. Senior executives from both companies attended the signing ceremony, including POSCO Group Chairman In-hwa Chang and JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal.Under the MOU, POSCO Group and JSW Group will collaborate on various business opport
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The British Embassy in Korea participated in the Asia Pacific Wind Energy Summit 2024 as the UK Pavilion, showcasing its offshore wind capabilities. The British Embassy announced on Nov. 27 that it participated as the British Pavilion at the wind energy summit, which began the previous day at Songdo Convensia in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, to showcase the UK's offshore wind capabilities. Various British companies and organizations exhibited their innovative solutions at the British Pavilion and attracted attention. In particular, Ventera Group and domestic offshore exp
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Kazakhstan's Minister of Energy Almasadam Satkaliyev visited the Republic of Korea on Oct. 22~25. The Kazakhstan's minister of energy held a series of meetings with representatives of Korea’s leading energy companies and government agencies to discuss issues of energy cooperation. Discussions with the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy Ahn Duk-geun focused on expanding partnerships in the energy sector, including the oil and gas industry, renewable energy projects, and more. The Korean side congratulated Kazakhstan on successfully conducting a referendum o
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young Gimpo City, which is moving toward becoming a global city by strengthening external cooperation, held a meeting with a delegation from Fergana Province, Uzbekistan, on November 26 at Gimpo City Hall to discuss exchange cooperation between the two cities. The visit was attended by a 19-member delegation, including Governor Khayrullo Hayitboyevich Bozorov of Fergana Province and Mayor Kim Byung-soo of Gimpo City. They explored cooperation between Fergana City, the capital of Fergana Province, and Gimpo City. Fergana City is the capital of Fergana Province and t