Diplomacy Journal David Kendall 기자 | The Association of Korean Culture Centers is presenting its 31st annual exhibition at Gallery Mirae in Seoul, running from April 15 to 28, 2026. Supported by the Association of Korean Craft Function, this year's showcase takes the form of a "small works exhibition" — featuring 49 pieces spanning traditional painting and craft disciplines. A Celebration of Human Creativity Honorary Chairman Song Jun-gyeong framed the exhibition within the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, arguing that craft art represents an irreplaceable expression of distinctly
Diplomacy Journal David Kendall 기자 | On April 15, an international exhibition opened at the CN Gallery in Seoul's historic Bukchon neighborhood. The Embassy of the Slovak Republic and the Chungnam Cultural Tourism Foundation (CNCTF) jointly invited Slovak illustrator Peter Uchnár to visit Korea and display several pieces from his storied career. In his opening statement, Jiwon (John) Lee, Director of the CNCTF Cultural & Arts Promotion Headquarters, praised Peter Uchnár for his work on beloved children's books like Peter Pan and his reimagined version of Gulliver's Travels, for which he wo
On April 13, Cheong Wa Dae (CWD) announced that President Lee Jae Myung held a summit with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at Cheong Wa Dae on the same day. They engaged in in-depth discussions on ways to elevate bilateral relations and expand practical cooperation, as well as major regional and international issues. Marking the first bilateral visit by a Polish Prime Minister in 27 years and Prime Minister Tusk’s first tour of the Asian region since taking office, the two leaders agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” based on the deep trust and fri
On April 12, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) released a statement that said the government dispatched a joint public-private defense industry cooperation delegation to Latin America. MOFA and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) led the delegation with the intent of promoting K-defense exports across the region. From April 6 to 10, the delegation visited Chile and Brazil — two of the region's most promising defense markets — participating in the FIDAE aerospace and defense exhibition, hosting K-Defense Forums, and holding bilateral meetings with senior defe
Diplomacy Journal 이성준 기자 | Special Feature Editor Andy Hyun The Republic of Korea and the Republic of Turkmenistan are elevating their bilateral relationship to a new level, centered on consular cooperation, and are leaping from ‘diplomacy protecting people’ to a ‘strategic partnership.’ A complex diplomatic structure is taking shape, extending beyond the simple protection of overseas citizens to cooperation in energy, logistics and geopolitics. On April 8, Lim Sang-woo, the Government Representative for the Protection of Overseas Citizens and Consular Affairs, held the 1st Korea-Turkmenistan
President Lee Jae-myung convened a Senior Secretaries and Advisers Meeting at Cheong Wa Dae (CWD) on April 9, directing government officials to prepare for all possible scenarios following the recent U.S.–Iran ceasefire agreement, which he said has opened a new phase in the Middle Eastern conflict but warrants no complacency. Lee issued an urgent directive to mobilize all available diplomatic channels and networks to secure the safe return of Korean crew members and vessels currently stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. He further ordered accelerated efforts to secure additional crude oil and cri
On April 9, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) moved simultaneously on two separate but related fronts, convening industry stakeholders to address pressing trade and supply-chain vulnerabilities triggered by global developments — one rooted in Washington, the other in the Middle East. Section 232 Restructuring: Navigating the New Tariff Landscape At 10:00 a.m. in the Grand Conference Room of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in Seoul, MOTIR Chief Trade Negotiator Yeo Han-koo presided over a public-private joint review meeting on the restructuring of U.S. Sect
Diplomacy Journal 이성준 기자 | Special Feature Editor Andy Hyun The Republic of Korea and the Republic of Mongolia are two very special countries to each other. Ambassador Sukhe Sukhbold of Mongolia in Seoul emphasized: “Korea and Mongolia share a special relationship that has maintained a long history of exchanges extending far beyond the 35-year period of official diplomatic relations.” Speaking at a reception he hosted at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel on November 21 last year in commemoration of the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Mongolia, Ambassador Sukhbold sa
Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee | Adopted at the conclusion of the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions (September 17–18, 2025), the Astana Peace Declaration 2025 has emerged as a landmark document in contemporary interreligious diplomacy. It outlines concrete directions for international cooperation in peacebuilding, sustainable development, and intercultural dialogue. The Congress brought together over 100 delegations from around 60 countries, reaffirming Kazakhstan’s role as a global platform for dialogue among civilizations. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted th
The following combines the April 7 Press Briefing on the Middle East Situation issued by Cheong Wa Dae (CWD) Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik and an April 8 press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) regarding the recent cease fire: Today marks the 39th day since the outbreak of the Middle East crisis. In response to signs of expanding and prolonged military conflict, the government established an Emergency Economic Situation Room at Cheong Wa Dae on March 25, and has convened three sessions of the Emergency Economic Review Meeting, chaired directly by the President, with the most rec
The Ministry of National Defense's Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification (MAKRI) and the U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) have launched a joint field survey in the Gangneung and Yangyang areas of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, running from April 6 to May 1. The survey aims to locate wreckage and traces of U.S. military aircraft lost during the Korean War. The four-week operation serves as preparatory groundwork for a joint underwater investigation planned for August. Field teams will collect testimony from local residents, gather relevant documentation, and confirm
President Lee Jae-myung held a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron at Cheong Wa Dae (CWD) on April 3, marking the 140th anniversary of Korea-France diplomatic relations and the elevation of bilateral ties to the level of "Global Strategic Partnership." The meeting was Macron's first visit to Korea since taking office, and the first state visit by a European leader since Korea's new government was inaugurated. The two leaders discussed the ongoing Middle East conflict and its global economic repercussions, agreeing that regional stability must be restored as quickly as possible. They e
On Friday, April 3, Cheong Wa Dae (CWD) resleased the following statement on French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife's ongoing state visit to Korea as they continue their second day of scheduled activities, which began this morning with an official welcome ceremony. On the occasion of this visit, Korea and France will upgrade their relationship from the "Comprehensive Partnership for the 21st Century" established in 2004 to a "Global Strategic Partnership" — an elevation that comes 22 years later. Through this upgrade, President Lee plans to strengthen strategic communication with France
On Thursday, April 2, a bipartisan U.S. Senate delegation, including Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held back-to-back meetings in Seoul: first, a luncheon meeting with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and then a closed-door meeting with President Lee Jae-myung at Cheong Wa Dae (CWD). In a statement, released the same day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) emphasized that Foreign Minister Cho highlighted the Joint Fact Sheet [JFS] adopted at the October 2024 Gyeongju summit, expressing hope that its faithful and swift implementation would maximize
Diplomacy Journal 이성준 기자 | TASHKENT - Uzbekistan has unveiled its updated Uzbekistan–2030 Strategy, marking a major step in the country’s journey toward national reform and development. Officials emphasise that implementing reform requires responsibility, consistency, institutional discipline, and public legitimacy. The government has revised the strategy following extensive public consultations, ensuring that citizens’ voices are reflected in the results-based policy framework. Aligned with international standards and designed to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the s