By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young In celebration of the founding month of 2024, the 30th Artwork Competition Exhibition of the Korea Cultural Center Association and the Korea Crafts and Skill Association will be held from Feb. 21 to 27 at Arisu Gallery in Insa-dong, Seoul. With the theme "Life in 2024," the exhibition highlights the activities of the Korean Cultural Center, which has been dedicated to a wide range of cultural and artistic education, including craft programs, for 25 years, and has been spreading both professional and artistic life crafts to the public. The works that fill and
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young "The Pearl of the Orient - Sri Lanka" photo exhibition by professional photographer Park Dae-byung is being held from Feb. 21 to 27 at Maru Art Center 5 (2F) in Insa-dong, Seoul. Sri Lanka, a beautiful island nation in the Indian Ocean, faces the southeastern coast of the Indian Peninsula through the Palk Strait, and was formerly known as Ceylon. A former British colony, the country's economy is still heavily influenced by Europe, with breathtaking Mediterranean seascapes, ancient cities designated as UNESCO World Heritage Sites, and a well-preserved traditio
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Obid Khakimov, director of the Center for Economic Research and Reforms under the Administration of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to the Diplomacy Journal for publication via the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. –Ed. The dynamic growth of the population of Uzbekistan requires at least high outstripping economic growth rates in order to adequately meet the growing needs and improve the standard of living of people. But this requires new, more balanced and verified approaches to ensure timely achievement of the set goals. And
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Sharif Kabilov, professor of the Department of the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Republic of Uzbekistan, to the Diplomacy Journal for publication via the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. –Ed. One of the first acts that consolidated the legal foundations of the anti-corruption policy of the Republic of Uzbekistan is the law “On Combating Corruption”, adopted on January 3, 2017. Today, citizens of Uzbekistan directly experience rapid changes in the political, legal, socio-economic life of our country, the form
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Seoul Library received a donation of 20 books from the Peruvian Embassy in Korea on Feb. 16, containing introductions to Peru's history, culture, and locales. The books, which are donated by countries around the world, will be housed in the Seoul Library's 'World Archives' and will be open to the public for browsing. The Seoul Library's World Library, which opened in 2012, holds more than 50,000 books donated by embassies from more than 60 countries. Last year alone, the library received 140 books from embassies in France, Lithuania, the Philippines, and th
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The 2nd Korea Fiber Art Association (President Kang Hae-woon) members' exhibition, which has been receiving a lot of attention for its fresh attempts in a new art genre, was held at the Lamer Gallery's 1st Exhibition Hall in Insa-dong from February 14 to 19. Established in 2021, the Korea Fiber Art Association is holding its second exhibition, where all the exhibited works are made of fabric, but artists use natural plant-based materials such as ink, fabric paints, and acrylics as pigments and create paintings. It is an exhibition of calligraphy artists, showing
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young Incheon City Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok met with Ambassador of the Kyrgyz Republic to Korea Aida Ismailova at the City Hall reception room on February 20, the Incheon Metropolitan City announced. This meeting was held at the request of the Kyrgyz Republic, and Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok met with Ambassador Aida Ismailova to express Incheon's determination to achieve the status of a world-class city and discuss ways to enhance exchanges between the two cities. In the past, Incheon has conducted medical treatments and local examinations for 55 children with heart disease fro
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol invited Ted Sarandos, co-CEO of Netflix, and actor Lee Jung-jae, who will appear in "Squid Game 2," to the presidential residence for a luncheon on Feb. 17. Sarandos shared the progress since the announcement of Netflix's investment in Korea last year, and President Yoon expressed gratitude for Netflix's rapid and substantial investments, requesting continued investment in K-content. During his state visit to the United States on April 24 last year, Sarandos announced plans to invest KRW 3.33 trillion (USD 2.5 billion) in Korea over th
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo President Yoon Suk-yeol reiterated his firm stance on healthcare reform during his closing remarks at the 9th Cabinet Meeting held at the Presidential Office on Feb. 20. President Yoon emphasized, "Healthcare reform will be pursued unwaveringly," regarding collective actions of medical residents and medical students. He stated once again his resolute position on healthcare reform. The President stated, "There can be no threat to the lives and health of the people during the process of healthcare reform," and urged, "I request that the entire cabinet be united t
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol held a conversation session with young scientists who will lead the Republic of Korea, a strong nation in science and technology, in Daejeon on February 16. This event was arranged for the president to meet directly with the 2023 Presidential Science Scholars and International Olympiad winners, to congratulate and encourage them, and to listen freely to their hopes and suggestions. It followed the 12th "People's Livelihood Forum," with the theme of "Daejeon, the Science Capital Innovating Korea," adding significance to the occasion. Th
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Dankook University held a declaration ceremony for the implementation of the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) at its Jukjeon campus on Feb. 19. As part of its commitment to the SDGs, the university declared ▲ education and research (providing education for creative individuals who contribute to humanity) ▲ international cooperation (collaboration with the international community for building a sustainable society) ▲ community engagement (encouraging participation from local communities) ▲ environmental conservation (administration and facility
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Girl group TRI.BE has released its fourth single 'Diamond' on Feb. 20 through various music streaming sites, its agency TR Entertainment said. 'Diamond' compares the process of overcoming hardships and finding one's true self among six girls with different lifestyles, cultures, and personalities to an uncut gem that eventually shines like a perfect diamond just by existing. The title track 'Diamond' features positive lyrics that seem to chant a spell to lift oneself up when feeling like giving up, a catchy chorus that everyone can sing along to, and a relaxed atm
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Seoul City Mayor Oh Se-hoon met with Saia Ma'u Piukala, the new Director-General of the World Health Organization (WHO) Regional Office for the Western Pacific, at his office on May 20, to share in-depth discussions on building a global healthy society. Piukala, formerly the Minister of Health of Tonga, took over as the Director of the WHO Regional Office for the Western Pacific, one of the six WHO regional offices (Europe, Pan-America, Eastern Mediterranean, Africa, Western Pacific, and Southeast Asia) on February 1, and chose Korea as his first overseas visit.
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young With a thousand-year history, Jingwansa Temple was built by King Hyunjong of Goryeo to repay the favor of Jingwanjosa, who saved his life before he ascended to the throne, and was a fundamental source of Suryuck ceremony during the Joseon Dynasty. 500 years ago, Jingwansa's doenjang (soybean paste) was so famous that it was served to the king. Today, Jingwansa Temple, a favorite of foreign dignitaries, is attracting attention as a training space for temple stays where foreign ambassadors' wives experience tea ceremony education through healing and experience.
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Global governance in its present form is entrenching divisions and fuelling discontent, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told world leaders attending the Munich Security Conference in Germany on Feb. 16, the UN News reported. “Our world is facing existential challenges, but the global community is more fragmented and divided than at any time during the past 75 years,” he said, highlighting the need for “a global order that works for everyone”. Mr. Guterres said if countries fulfilled their obligations under the UN Charter, every person on Earth would live