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
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Korean artist Jang An-soon breathes life into the unassuming reed (蘆絮), transforming it into a profound symbol of human emotion and the natural world. For Jang, reeds are not mere plants swaying in the wind; they are living metaphors for the ebb and flow of human existence. Their movements reflect life's challenges and triumphs, while their seasonal transformations symbolize the passage of time. In Jang’s hands, the reed becomes a bridge connecting humanity to nature’s essence, a medium for exploring life’s subtleties. At the core of Jang’s artistic philosophy
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul to Diplomacy Journal for publication. --Ed. At the invitation of the President of the United Arab Emirates, Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev visited the UAE. On January 15, at the Qasr Al Watan residence in Abu Dhabi, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev and the President of the United Arab Emirates Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan held talks in a contracted format and with the participation o
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo "Kenya is one of the premier tourist destinations in Africa, famous for its stunning landscapes, magnificent wildlife and pleasant climate," said Amb. Emmy Jerono Kipsoi of Kenya to South Korea said. In an exclusive interview with Diplomacy Journal on Jan. 15, Amb. Kipsoi said, "I recommend foreign tourists, including South Korean travelers, to Visit maasai mara for the wildebeest migration, Nairobi National park ,climb mount Kenya (the 2nd highest mountain in Africa),tour the Great Rift Valley lakes ,Giraffe Centre (eat with giraffes),Bomas of Kenya, Fort Jesu
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Choi Sang-mok, Acting President and Deputy Prime Minister, met with ambassadors from the Group of Seven (G7) and the European Union (EU) on Jan. 15, saying that “the Korean economic system is operating stably.” “Under the acting presidential system, our government is carrying out its work in various fields, including the economy and security, without any wavering,” Choi said during a luncheon meeting with the ambassadors. In particular, Choi emphasized the maintenance of the government's foreign policy stance and reaffirmed its cooperative relations with major
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Nabiyev Narimon, leading researcher at the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. --Ed. All of us know and appreciate that in the most challenging years of the formation of our young state, our Armed Forces have served as a reliable guarantee of the independence of our country, the peaceful life and well-being of our people, as well as the successful implementation of democratic reform
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of the Republic of Singapore in Seoul unveiled a logo to commemorate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Singapore and the Republic of Korea on Jan. 13. The design, submitted by a team of students from the Korea National University of Arts, was selected as part of the Singapore-South Korea 50th Anniversary Logo Competition, co-organized by the Embassy of Singapore in Korea and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Singapore. The logo is based on symbolic elements and colors inspired by the flags of Korea and Singapore, with the nu
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Gyeonggi-do Governor Kim Dong-yeon met with foreign businessmen in South Korea on Jan. 8, asking them to “trust Gyeonggi-do and Korea and do more business with us.” “There is uncertainty about the economic situation due to the political turmoil, but the Korean economy will be upgraded to the next level in the near future based on its resilience and potential,” Kim said during a visit to the American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM), where he met with AMCHAM President James Kim. The meeting was attended by U.S. business members from the semiconductor, biote
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Lee Jae-young, mayor of Jeungpyeong-gun, Chungcheongbuk-do, received a plaque of appreciation from the Embassy of Cambodia in Jung-gu, Seoul on Jan. 8. The plaque was personally delivered by Ambassador Chring Botumrangsay of Cambodia to South Korea, and a meeting was also held to further strengthen bilateral exchange and cooperation between the two countries. Jeungpyeong-gun has been engaging with Cambodia through its embassy in Seoul since 2022, expanding the scope of bilateral exchanges. In October 2023, the two sides formalized their cooperation by signing a
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon met with Dai Bing, the new Ambassador of the People's Republic of China to the Republic of Korea, at Seoul City Hall on Jan. 9 to congratulate him on his appointment and share their views on bilateral exchanges and cooperation. Ambassador Dai Bing, who served as Deputy Head of Mission of China's Permanent Representation to the United Nations and was appointed Ambassador to the Republic of Korea on Dec. 27, is known for his good knowledge of international affairs. “When I visited Beijing and Chongqing last year for the first time in more t
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “Uzbekistan, the heart of Central Asia and a key crossroads of the Silk Road, is swiftly becoming a must-visit destination for travelers worldwide, including Korean tourists,” said Amb. Alisher Abdusalomov of Uzbekistan to South Korea. In an exclusive interview with Diplomacy Journal, Amb. Abdusalomov said, “Boasting a rich history, breathtaking architecture, and a vibrant cultural heritage, Uzbekistan offers a distinctive blend of experiences that enchant and inspire.” Noting that every year, Uzbekistan is visited by 40 thousand Korean tourists, he said, “Uzbe
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo | The following article was contributed by Kobul Tursunov, Deputy Chairman of the Committee on budget and economic matters of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. –Ed. The Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) are a set of global goals adopted by the United Nations in 2015 and intended to be achieved by 2030. They are part of the UN General Assembly resolution “2030 Agenda”, calling for a common action in achieving peace and well-being for humanity and the pl
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by the Embassy of Morocco in Seoul to Diplomacy Journal for publication. –Ed. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Regional Integration of the Republic of Ghana has officially addressed on January 7 a document to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, African Cooperation and Moroccan Expatriates of the Kingdom of Morocco, informing of its the decision to suspend diplomatic relations with the so-called “sadr” entity. The timing of this decision is particularly significant, coinciding with the inauguration of Ghana's new President,
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Vietnam Airlines will launch a new direct route between Busan and Nha Trang on June 1, 2025, with seven flights per week. This is in response to the growing demand for travel to Vietnam. According to the Korea Tourism Organization, from January to November 2024, 4.13 million out of 25.97 million Korean overseas tourists visited Vietnam, making it one of the most preferred overseas destinations for Koreans. New route schedule The non-stop route from Busan Gimhae International Airport to Nha Trang's Cam Ranh International Airport will be operated by Airbus A321 a
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo A special exhibition will be held to strengthen cultural ties between South Korea and Uzbekistan in the new year of 2025. The 52nd International Cultural Exchange Exhibition will be held from March 5 to 11 on the second floor of the Insa-dong Museum of Korean Art in Seoul, marking the 33rd anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The international event was organized in consultation with Uzbekistan's Ambassador to Korea Alisher Abdusalomov and Diplomatic Journal Chairman Lee Jon-young. The exhibition will be a magnificent cultural exchange