By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The 2024 Jongno-gu Saemaul Leadership Convention was held at 2:00 p.m. on Dec. 23 at the Civil Defense Training Center at the Wellis Center in Jongno-gu, with more than 300 participants. The convention was a meaningful occasion to recall the core values of the Saemaul movement and share a new vision for community development. Major events and awards The event was organized in a colorful sequence, including the entry of Saemaul and the opening declaration, introduction of guests, award presentation, congratulatory remarks, and congratulatory speeches. In particula
Diplomacy Journal 이존영 기자 | Diplomatic Journal, December, JPG, 외교저널 12월호 JPG 전체보기
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young The white tiger painting is one of the four deities in traditional East Asian culture, and is a painting of a white tiger symbolizing the west. It depicts four sacred animals: the blue dragon, the jujak, the white tiger, and the hyeonmu, which represent the directions of east, west, south and north, as well as the five elements, the seasons, and various attributes of nature. Symbolism and characteristics of the white tiger The white tiger represents the west and symbolizes gold. In the Five Elements, gold represents hardness and strength, which is in line wit
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young The following article was contributed by Master Cheon Gong to the Diplomacy Journal for publication. –Ed. South Korea has a political system centered on a two-party system. The existence of small and medium-sized parties also includes elements of a multiparty system. The problem is that this political structure makes it difficult to reflect the diverse voices of the people and increases political polarization. We are now at a point where we need to consider whether this structure is suitable for the future. The current state of Korean politics and its limitat
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young In his fourth public address on Dec. 12, President Yoon Suk-yeol asserted that the “December 3 emergency martial law” was not a civil war, but a highly political judgment to protect the constitutional order of a liberal democracy. “Whether it's an investigation or impeachment, I will face it with dignity,” said President Yoon, making it clear that he has no intention of resigning or leaving office early. Yoon denounced the opposition parties' abuse of power as unconstitutional, while claiming his use of executive power was within the constitutional framework.
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of martial law was a political decision made in the midst of a bitter confrontation with the largest opposition Democratic Party of Korea, and the legitimacy and controversy surrounding it have garnered much attention in South Korean politics and among the public. It is difficult to view this as a simple political party dispute. Martial law can only be declared in the event of a national crisis under the Constitution, and the debate over why the president declared martial law and its legitimacy has pitted the Democratic P
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young South Korean bamboo salt master Choi Dong-soon has broken new ground in traditional bamboo salt making by introducing the world's first 5,000-degree high-temperature Hwangsong bamboo salt. The achievement is considered an artistic revolution in salt making, combining the perfect blend of bamboo and sea salt with innovative technology to contribute to human health. Tradition meets science, 5,000-degree Hwangsong Bamboo Salt Master Choi fuses the essence of bamboo salt-making tradition with modern technology to create 5,000-degree Hwangsong bamboo salt, which h
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young Public fatigue is reaching a fever pitch as the political sphere is once again plunged into an “impeachment regime”. The major opposition party has been criticized for abusing impeachment as a political tool, and some say it is a bulletproof armor for the party leader. The appropriateness of the impeachment attempt, which paralyzes the work of the auditor general and prosecutors, is debated. The public is concerned that “politics has turned into a power struggle between political parties rather than serving the people.” It is argued that impeachment, which ha
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young On December 3, 2024, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of emergency martial law was a political self-inflicted measure. Despite the extreme measure of martial law, the National Assembly responded immediately to defend democracy. But this is not just a simple happening. It is time to soberly analyze the intentions of Yoon's government that shook the constitutional order and democracy. Martial law, an impractical gamble, and a shaky legitimacy President Yoon declared emergency martial law in the name of “protecting constitutional order,” but it
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol held a summit with President Sadyr Japarov of the Kyrgyz Republic, who is on an official visit to South Korea, at the Yongsan presidential office on Dec. 3, 2024, and signed a joint statement to further develop bilateral relations. A total of 10 intergovernmental cooperation documents were signed in the presence of the two leaders. The Trade and Investment Promotion Framework (TIPF) Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy of Korea and the Ministry of Economy and Commerce of the Ky
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol held a summit with Latvian President Edgars Rinkēvičs, who is on a working visit to South Korea, and exchanged views on ways to enhance bilateral cooperation and regional and international affairs on Nov. 28, 2024. President Yoon welcomed President Rinkēvičs' return to Korea as president six years after his visit as foreign minister in 2018, and expressed his pleasure that Rinkēvičs is making his first visit to Asia after taking office. The two leaders appreciated the steady development of friendly and cooperative relations between the
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young Gimpo City, which is moving toward becoming a global city by strengthening external cooperation, held a meeting with a delegation from Fergana Province, Uzbekistan, on November 26 at Gimpo City Hall to discuss exchange cooperation between the two cities. The visit was attended by a 19-member delegation, including Governor Khayrullo Hayitboyevich Bozorov of Fergana Province and Mayor Kim Byung-soo of Gimpo City. They explored cooperation between Fergana City, the capital of Fergana Province, and Gimpo City. Fergana City is the capital of Fergana Province and t
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol held a summit with Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim, who is on an official visit to South Korea, and exchanged in-depth views on ways to promote bilateral cooperation and the regional and international situation on Nov. 25. The two leaders adopted a Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Strategic Partnership between Korea and Malaysia, which assessed the remarkable growth of bilateral relations over the past 60 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1960 and outlined a vision for deepening and expanding coop
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young A world leader is like a high pillar that supports the lives of countless people. If this pillar decays or collapses, those who lean on it will be lost and confused. The most important virtue for a leader to possess is Bulgijasim 不欺自心 (Don't deceive yourself), or a mind that does not deceive oneself. In the world of politics and power, this teaching is more desperate. Bulgijasim 不欺自心 (Don't deceive yourself) Politicians are supposed to lead the world by gathering the will and hearts of the people. But if they deceive their own conscience and are blinded by se
Diplomacy Journal 이존영 기자 | Diplomatic Journal, November, JPG, 외교저널 11월호 JPG 전체보기