By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Jang Se-il, mayor of Yeonggwang-gun, Jeollanam-do, discussed offshore wind power project cooperation with French Ambassador to Kolrea Philippe Bertoux at the county government office on Feb. 4. According to the county, the meeting was organized to explore ways to create synergy between the two sides in the field of renewable energy. "We have a vision to leap to the center of renewable energy by utilizing the natural conditions of sunlight and wind," said Mayor Jang. "We look forward to realizing carbon neutrality, improving the income of civilians, and revitali
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister Choi Sang-mok had luncheon with the ambassadors to Korea from major partner countries in the economic sector on Feb. 4. During the meeting, he emphasized that under the acting presidency, the government is performing its duties in each area including the economy, diplomacy, and security without disruptions, in order to ensure the smooth operation of national governance. He also reaffirmed the commitment to maintaining the current foreign policy direction and to continuing cooperative relations with major countries. The
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Seoul Metropolitan Government decided to create the 'Garden of Gratitude' in Gwanghwamun Square, a symbolic space that expresses gratitude and respect for those who participated in the Korean War, and invited 22 foreign ambassadors from Korean War participating countries for a project briefing on the 'Garden of Gratitude' on Feb. 4. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon introduced the meaning of the symbolic space and sculptures to the ambassadors. "Without the help of friendly countries at the time, Korea's liberal democracy and prosperity would never have been possible,
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Lee Cheol-kyu, chairman of the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, Resources, SMEs and Startups Committee, met with Czech Ambassador to Korea Ivan Jančarek on Feb. 3. During the meeting, they discussed strengthening exchanges and cooperation between Korea and the Czech Republic, including nuclear power plant construction projects. On this day, Chairman Lee met with Ambassador Jančarek at the National Assembly in Yeouido, Seoul. This is the second time that the Czech Ambassador to Korea has visited the National Assembly's Industry, SMEs and Startups Committee s
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Global Impact Coalition (GIC), a CEO-led collaborative platform for a net-zero chemicals future, is proud to announce LG Chem as its newest member. As one of the world’s largest chemical companies and a leader in sustainable materials, LG Chem’s membership sends a strong signal to Asia and the broader industry that global collaboration is essential to developing sustainable and commercially viable solutions. This milestone reinforces GIC’s growing global impact and highlights the importance of international partnerships in scaling up solutions to reduce emi
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Umid Shadiev, Chairman of the Tourism Committee, to Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. -- Ed. Uzbekistan and Malaysia may be located in different parts of the world, in Central Asia and Southeast Asia, but we actively cooperate to develop in mutually beneficial ways. Tourism is a key area of our partnership. Despite the significant geographical distance between us, there is enormous potential for expanding ties in the tourism sector, which, in turn, will bring economic benefits
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul to Diplomacy Journal for publication. --Ed. Uzbekistan’s foreign economic activity, focused on a proactive and practical approach emphasizing mutual respect and consideration of interests, comprehensively contributes to strengthening multifaceted and mutually beneficial ties with various countries worldwide. The diversification of investment and trade cooperation, the desire to open new markets and establish mutually beneficial cooperation beyond the nearest regions, is bearing fruit, a
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul sent a condolence message on Jan. 30, saying he prayed for good news and extended his heartfelt condolences to all those affected by the airliner crash near Washington, DC. “I am deeply saddened by the tragic accident at Ronald Reagan National Airport,” Cho said on social media X. Two teenage Korean-American figure skaters were reportedly on board the passenger plane that crashed after colliding with a military helicopter near the U.S. capital, Washington, according to a CBS report. The small passenger plane belonging t
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI) held the KGCCI Economic Outlook 2025 on January 23 at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul. The event brought together over 80 business leaders, governmental officials, and industry experts to examine the future of Korean-German economic collaboration in an evolving global landscape. The event featured distinguished speakers including Joern Beissert, Deputy Ambassador of German Embassy in Korea; Dr. Jiho Lee, Director General of the Research Department at the Bank of Korea (BOK), and Katharina Viklenko, Director an
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Hanwha announced a strategic partnership with the International Institute for Strategic Studies (IISS) and the Korea Foundation (KF) to establish the Korea Chair at IISS. The signing ceremony took place at the Shangri-La Hotel in Singapore on Jan. 23. The initiative will fund a full-time Senior Fellow for Korean Security Studies—the IISS Korea Chair in Advanced Technologies, National Security, and Defense—at IISS’ London headquarters, Arundel House. The Chair will engage with governments, the private sector, and global expert communities, contributing research
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by the Embassy of Belarus in Seoul to Diplomacy Journal for publication. --Ed. In 2025, the Republic of Belarus assumes the Chairmanship of the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) for the third time since the establishment of one of the key integration associations of Eurasia. The priorities of the Belarusian chairmanship were outlined in the Address of the President of the Republic of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, to the leaders of the EAEU member states, published in January 2025. 1. It is necessary to focus joint efforts on
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo On a business trip to the United States, Incheon City Mayor Yoo Jung-bok extended an official invitation to President Trump and Vice President J.D. Vance to attend the 75th anniversary of the Incheon Landings Operation, which is scheduled to take place in September. “The Incheon landings operation is comparable to the Normandy landings in historical significance and importance,” Mayor Yoo said in the letter, adding, ”If President Donald Trump attends the event, it will be an opportunity to further strengthen the U.S.-ROK alliance in various fields such as milit
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Donald Trump has been sworn in for a second term as president of the United States at noon local time (17:00 GMT) in Washington, DC. Donald Trump took office as the United States' 47th president on Jan. 20, renewing his vow to "put America first" and tariff foreign countries to enrich Americans, while signaling an intent to refrain from military involvement in conflicts overseas. During his swearing-in ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, Trump, 78, underscored his America First credo as his second four-year term is expected to see a major shift in th
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo KT&G Corporation hosted a ceremony celebrating the Türkiye factory expansion on Jan. 16. The expansion is part of KT&G's efforts to leap to a "Global Top-tier" and to strengthen its global operations. KT&G celebrated the expansion of its Turkiye factory to fulfill its goal to leap to a 'Global Top-tier' and to expand its global operations. Around 50 major participants, including KT&G's CEO Kyung-man Bang, Tire District Governor Vural Karagül, the Korean ambassador to Türkiye Yeon-doo Jeong, Tire Mayor Hayati Okuroğlu, and President of Department
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by the Embassy of Azerbaijan to Diplomacy Journal for publication. -- Ed. On 20 January 2025, it will be 35 years since the military assault against the people of Azerbaijan and an unprecedented massacre targeting civilians by the former Soviet regime in breach of international law. Towards the end of the 1980s, the former Soviet Union’s disregard for Armenia's illegal territorial claims against our country, deportation of hundreds of thousands of Azerbaijanis from their ancestral lands in present-day Armenia, and inciting