By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Former President of Korea Aerospace Research Institute (KARI) Lee Sang-ryul has received the Chevalier rank of the Légion d'honneur medal from the French government in recognition of his contributions to Korea-France space cooperation and the advancement of science and technology, the KARI said on Nov. 4. The Légion d'honneur is the French government's highest honor awarded to individuals with distinguished achievements in various fields, including military, academic, cultural, scientific, and industrial fields. Presenting the award on behalf of the French govern
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Republic of Korea H.E. Mr. Salohiddin Kirom to the Diplomacy Journal for publication. –Ed. November 6 is celebrated across Tajikistan as Constitution Day of the Republic of Tajikistan., On November 6, 1994, the Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan was adopted through a national referendum. Since then, amendments and additions have been introduced via national referendums on September 26, 1999, June 22, 2003, and May 22, 2016. These changes were dictated by the demands
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik and Indonesian Ambassador to South Korea Cecep Herawan held a meeting at the National Assembly on Nov. 4. Noting that the first bilateral meeting since the inauguration of the two leaders took place in Gyeongju last week, Speaker Woo stated, "The MIKTA (Mexico, Indonesia, Korea, Turkey, and Australia) National Assembly Speakers' Meeting will be held in Seoul next week, and I look forward to the visit of House of Representatives Speaker Puan Maharani to South Korea." Woo continued, "Indonesia has approximately 2,300 Korean
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Lee Jae-myung held a summit with Singaporean Prime Minister Lawrence Wong on Nov. 2 and agreed to establish a "strategic partnership" between the two countries, deepening cooperation in the areas of economy and security. Following the summit with Prime Minister Wong at the Presidential Office in Yongsan, President Lee issued a joint press release stating, "We agreed that the international order that has supported global growth and prosperity is being shaken, and that strategic cooperation between our two countries is crucial in the face of global ch
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo POSCO Group Chairman Chang In-hwa held a meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese who visited POSCO's Pohang Steel Mill, which represents economic cooperation between Korea and Australia, on Oct. 30, 2025. Prime Minister Albanese, who came to Korea on the occasion of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit, visited the Pohang Steel Mill's raw material dock, where he observed the actual use of Australian iron ore and coking coal. POSCO Group began purchasing Australian iron ore in 1971 and has used over 1.5 billion tons of Australian i
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The final satellite in the ‘425 Reconnaissance Satellite’ program, which is South Korea's first surveillance and reconnaissance satellite project, have launched on October 2 (US time) from Cape Canaveral Space Force Station, Florida, USA. Hanwha Systems announced that it supplied the SAR (Synthetic Aperture Radar) payload for the program’s fifth satellite, following its contributions to satellites No. 2, 3 and 4. While the program is led by the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) and developed by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD), Hanwha Sy
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young Prime Minister Kim met with Papua New Guinea Deputy Prime Minister John Rosso, who was in Korea for the APEC Summit, and discussed ways to further develop cooperative relations on Oct. 31. During the meeting, Prime Minister Kim stated, "I hope to further develop diplomatic relations between our two countries and strengthen substantive cooperation. Let's discuss various ways to strengthen cooperation, such as at the Korea-Pacific Islands Foreign Ministers' Meeting scheduled for Seoul later this year." Deputy Prime Minister Rosso said, "Korean companies have co
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Latvian Ambassador to Korea Janis Berzins, ambassadors from 13 countries, descendants of independence activists, and Choi Jae-cheon, Chairman of the D.O.F. Organizing Committee, participated in the “2025 DMZ OPEN Peace Walk and Marathon” event on Nov. 1 and 2. The 'DMZ Peace Walk', held on the first day, is an event where participants walk along the Imjin River ecological trail within the Civilian Control Line (CCL) and experience ecological value and the meaning of peace firsthand. At the opening ceremony, six representative participants, including Gyeonggi Prov
By Diplomacy Journal Belarus Correspondent Kim Sun-ah Minsk, the capital of Belarus. For those living here, Lake Zaslavskaye is simply a nearby retreat. However, the lake, nicknamed the "Minsk Sea," has become a magnet for both city dwellers and tourists. Located just 5km from downtown Minsk, the lake offers the perfect escape for those seeking a seaside escape in the city. Lake Zaslavskaye was created in 1956 to prevent flooding and secure water resources. This artificial reservoir, created at the time, has held special significance from its very existence. Covering an area of approximately 3
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Goryeong County, North Gyeongsang Province, discussed cultural, tourism, and arts cooperation with the Italian city of Cremona at the Seoul residence of Italian Ambassador to Korea Emilia Gatto. Cremona, located in Lombardy, Italy, is a UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage of Humanity and is renowned as the home of the world-renowned Stradivarius violin. Goryeong County has signed two Memorandums of Understanding (MOUs) on mutual exchange and cooperation with Cremona, in 2014 and 2023. This meeting was attended by approximately ten officials from both countries,
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Meeting with French Ambassador to South Korea Philippe Bertoux on October 15, Unification Minister Chung Dong-young said, "I ask for your active involvement in the issue of peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula." At a meeting with Ambassador Bertoux in the Minister's Office at the Government Complex Seoul, Chung said, "Just as North Korea's deployment of troops to Russia and the war in Ukraine directly impact the security of the European Union (EU), the issue of peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula is directly linked to the peace and stability of
By Diplomacy Journal Belarus Correspondent Kim Sun-ah The monument, located near the Brest Fortress in Belarus, is a symbolic site of significance and historical importance during World War II. This monument is more than just a stone and iron structure; it serves as an unforgettable reminder of sacrifice and courage for those who love Belarus and its history. The Battle of the Brest Fortress was a fierce battle that took place in 1941 during the Nazi German invasion. Soviet troops and local residents risked their lives to defend the fortress and fight against the invaders. Their indomitable sp
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The world’s leading travel publication Lonely Planet has included Tajikistan in its prestigious list of “25 Best Travel Experiences for 2026 (Best in Travel 2026)”, recognizing the country as one of the most inspiring destinations for hiking and mountain adventures. In the feature titled “Hike and Wild Camping in Tajikistan”, Lonely Planet encourages travelers to discover the country’s majestic mountain scenery, pristine nature, and the warm hospitality of its people, which together make travel in Tajikistan a truly unforgettable experience. The annual Best in
By Diplomacy Journal Belarus Correspondent Kim Sun-ah Every night, a giant diamond shines in Minsk, the capital of Belarus. It is the National Library of Belarus. Founded in 1922, the library was reborn in 2006 with a new, modern building, transforming it into a multi-cultural space where knowledge and art coexist. Designed by architects Viktor Kramarenko and Mikhail Vinogradov, the library is a 23-story polyhedron with a unique shape known as a "rhombicuboctahedron." This symbolizes a "jewel embodying knowledge." The glass exterior sparkles in the sunlight during the day, and at night, over 4
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun had a meeting with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong, who visited the Republic of Korea to attend the APEC Ministerial Meeting (AMM) on Oct. 30. The two ministers exchanged views on bilateral relations, economic cooperation, cooperation in defense and the defense industry, the situation on the Korean Peninsula, and major regional developments. Minister Cho welcomed Minister Wong’s visit to Korea and noted that the Korean government highly values the continued development of ROK-Australia relations. He expresse