By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) announced on Aug. 27 that it is pursuing restructuring of its shipbuilding business to enhance global competitiveness and expand orders in Korea’s shipbuilding and defense sectors, as the MASGA project is set to go into full swing. On the 27th, HD KSOE, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), and HD Hyundai Mipo (HMD) each held board meetings, where HHI and HMD approved a merger agenda. Following an extraordinary general meeting and merger review process, the two companies will relaunch this December as the
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “Chhattisgarh is the growth engine of central India and the Indian state offers friendly environment to Korean investors,” said Honorable Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai, at an investment seminar. Chhattisgarh is the 9th largest state of India with 135,000 square meters. The Indian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ICCK) held the event, titled Chhattisgarh Investor Connect in Seoul” on August 27, 2025 at Lotte Hotel, jointly organized by the Government of Chhattisgarh (a provincial government in India) and the Embassy of India, Seoul. Chief Minis
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Samsung Electronics today announced it will be unveiling its latest laundry innovations at IFA 2025 in Berlin, including the new Bespoke AI Washer with A-65% energy efficiency and the second-generation Bespoke AI Laundry Combo. These new models demonstrate Samsung’s ongoing commitment to delivering energy savings, intelligent features and stylish designs that align with the evolving needs of users around the world. “With the new A-65% washer, Samsung has pushed the boundaries of convenience and energy efficiency once again,” said Jeong Seung Moon, EVP and Head
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Unification Minister Jeong Dong-young met with Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing at the Seoul Government Complex on August 27 and exchanged views on bilateral relations and Korean Peninsula issues, the Ministry of Unification announced. Minister Jeong urged Ambassador Dai to develop more mature bilateral relations, taking advantage of the upcoming APEC summit in Gyeongju. He specifically explained the South Korean government's policy framework for inter-Korean trust-building and peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula, emphasizing China's construc
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Yoon-joo held the 4th Korea-Bangladesh Policy Consultation with Md. Nazrul Islam, Secretary (Bilateral – East & West) of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Bangladesh, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Seoul on August 26. The two sides discussed a range of issues such as high-level exchanges, economic cooperation, employment cooperation, development cooperation, the situation on the Korean Peninsula and in the region, and cooperation on the international stage. The 4th Korea-Bangladesh Policy Consultation was held thr
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo On the occasion of the bicentenary of the declaration of independence of Uruguay, the Embassy of Uruguay in the Republic of Korea held a reception at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul on August 25. Delivering a speech at the gala reception, Ambassador Pablo Scheiner of Uruguay to Korea said, “In 2025, the Oriental Republic of Uruguay commemorates the 200th anniversary of its independence—a moment of profound national pride and reflection. It is an occasion to honor the women and men who shaped our nation, and to reaffirm the values that have defined our country over two
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young The central government and some local governments are expanding visa-free entry for Chinese tourists and even offering subsidies funded by taxes to attract more Chinese tourists. While citing the recovery of the tourism industry post-COVID-19 as justification, this amounts to nothing more than reckless gambling using local finances as collateral. China has long been central to Korea's tourism market, and visa-free expansion could temporarily inject vitality into aviation, lodging, and food services. However, increased tourist numbers do not automatically tran
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon met with Carlos Fernando Galan, Mayor of Bogotá, Colombia, on August 26 in his office at Seoul City Hall to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between the two cities. Seoul and Bogotá have maintained friendly relations for over 40 years since establishing a sister city relationship in 1982, actively exchanging expertise particularly in transportation sectors such as BRT (Bus Rapid Transit) card systems. During the meeting, Mayor Oh listened to Bogotá's subway construction plans and remarked, “The ‘screen doors’ have been the most signif
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo | From August 5 to 8, 2025, the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) took place at the Awaza National Tourist Zone along the Caspian Sea in Turkmenistan. The Conference transformed this picturesque coastal destination into a vibrant hub of global diplomacy, as leaders from around the world gathered to chart a development path for the 32 landlocked developing countries (LLDCs). The opening ceremony, held on August 5, was a compelling display of international solidarity. His Excellency Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Lead
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Lee Jae-myung attended the ‘Korea-U.S. Business Roundtable- Manufacturing Renaissance Partnership’ held at a hotel in Washington D.C., U.S., on August 25 (local time), the Presidential Office announced. Held to coincide with President Lee's first visit to the U.S., the event was attended by 16 prominent Korean business leaders with significant cooperative ties to the U.S. across various sectors. They included Ryu Jin, Chairman of the Korea Economic Association; Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics; Chey Tae-won, Chairman of SK; Chung Eui-su
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Minister of National Defense Ahn Gyu-back met with US Senator Tammy Duckworth at the Ministry of National Defense in Yongsan, Seoul, on August 18 and discussed the security situation on the Korean Peninsula and explored ways to further strengthen the ROK-US Alliance. Minister Ahn emphasized that strong support from the US Congress is essential to the continued development of the ROK-US Alliance. He also called for sustained congressional attention to further strengthen the combined defense posture and enhance extended deterrence. Minister Ahn expressed gratitud
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee “Honey, I'm thirsty.” Once upon a time, this might have sounded like sweet words. But at certain moments, these words can be a warning signal from the heart. While making love, our bodies move similarly to when we engage in intense physical activity. The heart beats faster than usual, body temperature rises, and fluids are rapidly lost through breathing and sweating. Medically speaking, metabolic rate during sexual activity is reported to be 2–3 times higher than usual. The American Heart Association (AHA) and Mayo Clinic have repeatedly warned that dehydration i
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Regardless of time and place, it has been the desire of all people to live a long and healthy life without illness. However, while health issues are a concern for everyone, no one knows the perfect way to manage them, making it a black box of sorts. Over the 100,000 years of human evolution, efforts to maintain and preserve physical health have repeatedly been thwarted by various diseases and aging. In the West, through thousands of years of medical development centered on anatomy and physiology, recent efforts have been made to analyze the human body's “black bo
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young The first summit between South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and US President Donald Trump, held at the Oval Office of the White House on August 25 (local time), lasted about 2 hours and 20 minutes. The summit began amid tension due to Trump's sudden remarks, but soon shifted to a scene of mutual trust and humor, effectively solidifying the alliance. Prior to the summit, Trump expressed concern on his social media, comparing the political situation in South Korea to a “purge,” and even mentioned the raid on a church and allegations of information gathering a
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI, President & CEO Marie Antonia von Schönburg) will host “Guide Walkers” joint CSR event on September 7, 2025, at Sangam World Cup Park in Seoul, South Korea. Now in its third year, the initiative brings together nearly 700 colleagues and partners from KGCCI and its member companies who will serve as guide walkers for individuals with visual impairments at the 11th Harmony Marathon with Visually Impaired, organized by Seoul Disabled Sports Association. First launched in 2023 to commemorate 140 years o