By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Vice Minister for Strategy and Intelligence Cho Koo-rae met with United States Special Envoy on North Korean Human Rights Issues Julie Turner and U.S. Ambassador-at-Large for Global Criminal Justice Beth Van Schaack on October 10. They discussed measures for cooperation between the Republic of Korea and the U.S. to improve the human rights situation in North Korea. Vice Minister Cho took note of the close cooperation between the ROK and the U.S. on North Korean human rights, including the first and second ROK-U.S. Consultations on North Korean Human Rights on Nov
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Korean traditional paintings, known as folk paintings, are gaining attention in the global art market as a new genre called “K-folk paintings” with a modern twist. Combining traditional paintings with lacquer, a unique Korean craft technique, K-Folk Painting is a work of art that harmoniously fuses traditional Korean art with modern aesthetics and is recognized worldwide for its uniqueness. Damwha Lee Jon-young, the artist at the forefront of this pioneering endeavor, is developing a new technique that utilizes lacquer to create a contemporary interpretation of t
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul, who attended the 79th session of the United Nations General Assembly, held a 45-minute meeting with Wang Yi, a member of the Central Committee of the Communist Party of China (CPC) and Minister of Foreign Affairs, to exchange views on issues of mutual interest, including China-ROK relations and the Korean Peninsula on Sept. 28. The two sides evaluated the high-level exchanges between China and Korea so far this year, and decided to continue high-level exchanges at multilateral meetings in the second half of this year, incl
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee “Baeksubaekbokdo百壽百福圖” is a traditional Korean folk painting that wishes for longevity and good fortune. Baeksubaekbokdo means “a hundred years of life,” which implies a wish for longevity. In addition, 'Baekbok百福' means a hundred kinds of 'blessings' and expresses the wish for various blessings in life. In this sense, Baeksubaekbokdo has a strong symbolic meaning as a wish for health and happiness. Composition and symbolism The Baeksubaekbokdo is mainly composed of various symbols and elements that symbolize longevity and good fortune. Some of the most common sy
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Prime Minister Han Duck-soo hosted an inter-ministerial meeting to review the progress in preparations and relevant future plans for the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) on August 30, 2024, at the Government Complex Seoul. The meeting was convened after Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongju’s selection as the host city for the AELM on June 27, 2024. The attendees included the Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, the First Vice Minister of Economy and Finance, the Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, the
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul met with three newly appointed members of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) -- Vice Chairman Cho Hyun-sang of HS Hyosung, Vice Chairman Lee Kyu-ho of Kolon, and CEO Lee Ju-wan of Megazone Cloud -- on August 26. During the meeting, they exchanged views on the significance of Korea’s role as the chair of 2025 APEC as well as the activities of entrepreneurs within APEC. The Minister requested their full support to ensure the successful hosting of 2025 APEC. Minister Cho emphasized that Korea’s role as chair of APEC nex
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul met on Aug. 27 with Ambassador Carlos Victor Boungou of Gabon to South Korea, who will leave from his post and return to Gabon, at the end of August. Minister Cho praised Ambassador Boungou for his significant contributions to the development of bilateral relations during his 13 years of service as Ambassador to the Republic of Korea, as well as his role as the Head of the Diplomatic Corps in Korea and the Head of the African Diplomatic Corps in Korea, where he served as a bridge between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The Embassy of Peru in the Republic of Korea inaugurated on August 21 the exhibition “Conciencia/Awareness” by renowned graphic designer Ciro Palomino at the 172G Gallery located in 172, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul. The exhibition “Conciencia/Awareness” includes 43 illustrations that address various topics such as war and its consequences, the situation of the Korean peninsula, climate change, freedom of expression, emigration, education, among other topics. The pieces exhibited by Ciro do not need any interpretation, because as he himself points out, “each wo
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Among traditional Korean paintings, Goeseokmorando, or 怪石牡丹圖 has attracted the attention of many for its unique beauty and deep philosophical meaning. The painting depicts a strange rock found in nature, Goeseok, and a peony, which symbolizes wealth and honor, and it ehas become one of the most representative genres of the Joseon Dynasty. The history of Goseokmorando begins with the genre's development in the late Joseon Dynasty, especially from the 17th to the 19th centuries. This was a time when traditional landscape painting and flower-and-bird painting were f
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Artist Seo Eun-hye, who paints Korean wildflowers, has been selected to exhibit her work on the big screen in New York's Times Square for the second consecutive year. According to the Busan art community on July 4, Seo was selected as one of 12 artists from around the world to participate in the 'Art Forum: No Boundaries' exhibition organized by Vision Art Media, and had the opportunity to display her work as video art on the big screen in New York Times Square on July 19. This is the second year in a row that Seo has been honored with the selection, as she was t
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Seoul City Mayor Oh Se-hoon met with Ambassador Koichi Mizushima of Japan to South Korea at the Mayor's Office in Seoul City Hall to discuss future bilateral exchanges on Aug. 12. Ambassador Koichi Mizushima served as the Charge d'Affaires of the Embassy of Japan in Korea from 2017-2019 and was appointed Ambassador of Japan to Korea in May. After his official appointment, he said, "For Japan, Korea is a partner in solving international tasks.” Seoul and Tokyo signed a friendly city agreement in 1988 and Seoul signed a friendly city agreement with Hokkaido in 2010
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul held a meeting with Thai Foreign Minister Maris Sangiampongsa, who is on an official visit to Korea from August 1 to 2, in Seoul on Aug. 2. They discussed ways to strengthen bilateral relations, including diplomacy and security, trade and investment, future industries (clean energy, digital finance, smart infrastructure), tourism, consular affairs, and labor, as well as cooperation on regional and international issues. Minister Cho emphasized that Thailand is our key ally who fought together for freedom and peace during the
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul had a meeting with Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, External Affairs Minister of India, on July 26, on the occasion of the ASEAN-related Foreign Ministers’ Meetings in Vientiane, Lao PDR. This was the second face-to-face meeting between the two ministers, following the 10th ROK-India Joint Commission Meeting in March. The two Ministers noted with appreciation the active high-level exchanges between the two countries this year, which marks the first year after the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties. In addition, Minister Cho once a
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul met with Australian Minister for Foreign Affairs Penny Wong to discuss Korea-Australia relations as well as regional and global affairs on July 30. Both ministers recognized the continued development of the cooperative relationship between Korea and Australia, emphasizing their alignment as key like-minded countries in the region with shared democratic values and perspectives on regional and global issues and as “Comprehensive Strategic Partners” seeking more strategic and future-oriented collaboration. The ministers noted
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Many Korean legends and myths are closely linked to nature. One of the most notable is the 'Manbyeonghwajodo' (萬病花朝圖). As its name suggests, this unique flower is said to have the mystical ability to cure all ailments, and the legends and stories surrounding it have been passed down through the ages. Manbyeonghwajodo is a painting that depicts the characteristic elements of the flower in a stylized manner, rather than in a realistic form. Each canvas is labeled with the names of flowers, such as Hangyuoknyeo Jikgeumhwa, Hongdohwa, Dongjeonghosangbuyonghwa, Yeongj