By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo | The following article was contributed by Rakhmatulla I. Nurimbetov, PhD, researcher of the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies to the Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. –Ed. On July 4, 2024, in Astana, in the capital of Kazakhstan, 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) took place, attended by more than dozen leaders of Eurasian countries and the heads of several international organizations, including the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. One of its
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Kazakhstan has secured a place among the world’s middle powers, according to a comprehensive compilation of articles published by the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP). The middle powers concept refers to countries that play an important role in the global political and economic arena. SWP experts singled out Kazakhstan for its foreign policy, positioning it as a Central Asian key player. Experts recognized that Kazakhstan has realized its international ambitions early, chairing the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul held a breakfast meeting with Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Xavier Bettel on July 3 and exchanged views on bilateral relations and regional and international affairs. Bettel was visiting Korea on the occasion of the opening of the Embassy of Luxembourg in Seoul. The Korean government is currently preparing to open an embassy in Luxembourg as well. Minister Cho said that Korea and Luxembourg, a fellow Korean War participant and value-sharing country, have developed cooperation in various
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Ambassador of Kazakhstan Nurgali A. Arystanov in Seoul to the Diplomacy Journal for publication. –Ed. It is widely recognised that preserving cultural heritage is crucial, as it shapes a nation’s identity and defines its future. Countries around the world have maintained historical sites, protected languages, and conserved natural sites. In Central Asia, the protection of cultural heritage is equally important, given the region’s rich and diverse history, which dates back to the 3rd millennium BCE. As the summer sun begi
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By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo To commemorate the 32nd anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Belarus, the Diplomatic Journal co-hosted a cultural exchange exhibition with the Embassy of Belarus in Seoul from July 3-8 at the Maru Art Center in Insa-dong, Seoul. The Korea-Belarus cultural exchange exhibition featured 11 works by Belarusian color magician Marc Chagall, 20 beautiful tourist photographs of Belarus, and 37 works by Korean Minwha (folk painting) artists. More than 60 foreign ambassadors, domestic artists and other guests, including Amb. Nurgali
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol received Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh, who is on an official visit to South Korea, on July 2 and exchanged views on ways to further develop bilateral relations. President Yoon expressed his hope that trade and investment will be further boosted by continuing to strengthen institutional cooperation, including simplifying customs clearance between the two countries, and that the transfer of Korean retired warships and retired patrol boats and defense cooperation will proceed smoothly to strengthen strategic cooperation in th
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo At the invitation of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo, Vietnamese Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh paid an official visit to Korea from June 30 to July 3. Prime Minister Han Duck-soo held a bilateral meeting with Prime Minister Chinh at the Seoul Government Complex on July 2, and hosted a welcome dinner the same evening. PM Chinh's visit is the first official visit by a top Vietnamese leader to South Korea since the two countries upgraded their relations to a "comprehensive strategic partnership" on the occasion of the 30th anniversary of diplomatic ties in December 2
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Korea hosted the Diplomatic Reception on June 28, 2024 on the occasion of the National Day of Belarus (celebrated annually on July 3) and to commemorate the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of the country from Nazi invaders at the Pullman Hotel in Seoul. The solemn event organized jointly with the Belarusian diaspora in Korea, was attended by the heads of more than 35 foreign diplomatic missions, representatives of official, business and cultural circles of the Republic of Korea, as well as a number of well-known Sout
Diplomacy Journal Jon Lee | Police chiefs and government leaders convened at UN Headquarters on June 27 for the opening session of UNCOPS 2024, the UN News reported. The summit, themed Advancing our Common Security: UN Policing for a New Era, began with a video highlighting the UN Police’s (UNPOL) mission to promote security, protect human rights, and support Member States. UNPOL’s true mission is to “enhance international peace and security by supporting Member States in conflict, post-conflict and other crisis situations”, all while standing at the forefront of preventing and addressing inte
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The Diplomatic Journal and the UN Journal are publishing a series of articles on folk paintings in both Korean and English to introduce Korean folk paintings to the world. –Ed. 渇忠輔國心無貳(Galchungbogooksimmui) "A heart that is loyal and wants to serve the country has no two minds." This means that a person who is willing to serve the country is pure in heart and has no other thoughts. It shows that loyalty to the country is unwavering. Loyalty is a state of mind that transcends personal interests and is solely dedicated to the country. It means that you don't care a
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of Nepal in Korea hosted the Nepal’s Tourism Promotion Event and B2B Meeting at the Korea Press Center in Seoul on June 27, 2024. Delivering welcoming and opening remarks by Prof. Dr. Jyoti Pyakural, Ambassador of Nepal to the Republic of Korea, said, “Nepal and Korea need to expand bilateral cooperation, especially in the tourism sector, this year, which marks the 50th anniversary of Nepal-Korea diplomatic relations. Accordingly, I hope that more Korean tourists will visit the beautiful country Nepal.” In the Nepal destination presentation, Hikmat
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Starting on July 1, Korea will assume the chairmanship of the Minerals Security Partnership (MSP) for one year, with Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang In-sun serving as Chair, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said on June 27. Critical minerals are indispensable for high-tech industries such as semiconductors, batteries, and electric vehicles, which are pivotal to Korea's economic prosperity and essential for the global clean energy transition for net-zero targets. However, the concentration of critical mineral reserves and processing facilities in a limited nu
Diplomacy Journal Jon Lee | The UN Secretary-General on June 21 voiced profound concern over escalating violence and “bellicose rhetoric” between Israel and Hezbollah militants across the frontier with Lebanon, warning that one false move could trigger a catastrophe for the whole region and beyond, the UN News reported. The situation along the Blue Line, the demarcation between Israeli and Lebanese armed forces, has been deteriorating since Israel launched its offensive in the Gaza Strip following the brutal 7 October attack by Hamas and other Palestinian armed groups against communities in th
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “The Dominican Republic and Korea need to become strategic partners this year,” said Dr. Federico Alberto Cuello Camilo, Ambassador of the Dominican Republic in Korea. In an exclusive interview with the Diplomacy Journal, Amb. Cuello Camilo said, “As far as I know, H. E. President Yoon Suk-yeol plans to go to Latin America twice this year to participate in the APEC summit in Peru, and later to Brazil to participate in the summit of the G20. It would be an honor for us to host President Yoon during a stopover in the Dominican Republic. He could then sign with H.