By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “Thailand-ROK’s people-to-people and cultural ties continue to grow. For instance, Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival held in October proved a resounding success, with over 50,000 visitors,” said H.E. Amb. Tanee Sangrat of Thailand to South Korea at the national day reception. Delivering welcoming speech at the reception held at the Crystal Ballroom, Lotte Hotel Seoul, on Dec. 4, Amb. Tanee Sangrat said, “The Embassy also initiated an unprecedented special passport project this year, issuing over 37,000 passports for Thai nationals in the ROK. Our efforts to elevate
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Department of Global Culinary Arts at Woosong University recently held the Alma Chef Competition. The event, which was held in collaboration with the Embassy of Italy in Korea and the Italian Trade Corporation in Korea, is part of the World Italian Food Week. Woosong University and Alma Culinary School signed a joint curriculum agreement in June and have been conducting active educational exchanges through local training and internships. The Department of Global Culinary Arts at Woosong University collaborated with ALMA, a leading Italian culinary school, t
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The 20th Korea-Middle East Cooperation Forum was held at the Shilla Hotel Seoul on Nov. 26, 2024. It was co-hosted by the Korea-Arab Society, the Jeju Peace Institute, and the Middle East Council on Global Affairs of the State of Qatar with the co-sponsorship of the Ministries of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea and the State of Qatar. The Korea-Middle East Cooperation Forum is a 1.5-track event that has been held since 2003 to enhance mutual understanding and deepen practical cooperation between Korea and the Middle East. This year, the forum was atten
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo In commemoration of the 75 years of diplomatic relations, the Philippines and the Republic of Korea (ROK) held their 3rd Maritime Dialogue in Incheon on Nov. 11, 2024, marking another significant step in strengthening their strategic partnership. The Maritime Dialogue was co-chaired by Assistant Secretary Marshall Louis Alferez of the Maritime and Oceans Affairs Office of the Department of Foreign Affairs and by Director General Kim Dong-Bae of the ASEAN and Southeast Asian Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They were joined by Philippine Ambass
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Kazakh Deputy Prime Minister and Foreign Minister Murat Nurtleu paid an official visit to the Republic of Korea on Nov. 3-5, 2024. During his visit, he was received by President Yoon Suk Yeol as part of the meeting with the heads of delegation to C5+K Forum. President Yoon emphasized the importance of enhancing multifaceted cooperation with Kazakhstan to strengthen strategic partnership. Murat Nurtleu noted that South Korea is an important partner, highlighting strong political and economic ties. At a meeting with South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul, Nurt
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Gwangju Metropolitan City Mayor Kang Ki-jeong met with Israeli Ambassador to Korea Rafael Harpaz at the reception room of the city hall on Nov. 28 to discuss 'exchange and cooperation plans between Gwangju and Israel'. “I would like to thank Israel for organizing the Gwangju Biennale Pavilion exhibition this year following last year,” Mayor Kang said, adding, ”I hope that various exchanges between the two countries will continue through culture.” Israeli Ambassador to Korea Rafael Harpaz said, “Israel is leading the world in the field of startups and AI, and Gw
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI, President & CEO Martin Henkelmann) has been honored with the 2024 Korea Energy Award. Presented by the Korea Energy Agency, the award recognizes individuals and organizations that have made significant contributions to addressing climate change and reducing greenhouse gas emissions. KGCCI's receipt of the award underscores its commitment to Climate Change Response and Greenhouse Gas Reduction through initiatives such as government policy development and implementation, public awareness campaigns, an
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo POSCO Group is advancing plans to build an integrated steel mill in India, a growing market with a population of 1.4 billion. On October 21, POSCO Group signed an MOU with JSW Group, India’s leading steel company, in Mumbai to collaborate on business ventures in the steel, secondary battery materials, and renewable energy sectors. Senior executives from both companies attended the signing ceremony, including POSCO Group Chairman In-hwa Chang and JSW Group Chairman Sajjan Jindal.Under the MOU, POSCO Group and JSW Group will collaborate on various business opport
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The British Embassy in Korea participated in the Asia Pacific Wind Energy Summit 2024 as the UK Pavilion, showcasing its offshore wind capabilities. The British Embassy announced on Nov. 27 that it participated as the British Pavilion at the wind energy summit, which began the previous day at Songdo Convensia in Yeonsu-gu, Incheon, to showcase the UK's offshore wind capabilities. Various British companies and organizations exhibited their innovative solutions at the British Pavilion and attracted attention. In particular, Ventera Group and domestic offshore exp
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Kazakhstan's Minister of Energy Almasadam Satkaliyev visited the Republic of Korea on Oct. 22~25. The Kazakhstan's minister of energy held a series of meetings with representatives of Korea’s leading energy companies and government agencies to discuss issues of energy cooperation. Discussions with the Minister of Trade, Industry, and Energy Ahn Duk-geun focused on expanding partnerships in the energy sector, including the oil and gas industry, renewable energy projects, and more. The Korean side congratulated Kazakhstan on successfully conducting a referendum o
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Council and Jinju City Council are actively cooperating in international exchanges with Nepal to expand agricultural and Buddhist cultural exchanges. The Korea Nepal International Exchange Association announced on Nov. 26 that Pushpa Raj Bhattarai, deputy chief of mission and minister counsellor of the Embassy of Nepal in Korea, visited the Gyeongsangnam-do Provincial Council and Jinju City Council to discuss ways to cooperate on international exchange of Buddhist culture and the agricultural sector with Gyeongnam. The meeting wa
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Philip Goldberg, who was appointed to the post in 2022, will retire early next year. According to multiple diplomatic sources on Nov. 27, Goldberg will leave Seoul next January after nearly 35 years as a diplomat. Goldberg arrived in South Korea in July 2022, after the inauguration of Yoon Suk-yeol's government. His arrival came a year and a half after the departure of former Ambassador Harry Harris in January 2021. Over the past two and a half years, Goldberg is credited with strengthening the U.S.-ROK alliance and enhancing Sout
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Kazakhstan's Minister of Transport, Marat Karabaev met with South Korea’s Minister of Land, Infrastructure, and Transport, Park Sang Woo in Seoul on Oct. 30, 2024. At the meeting, they discussed bilateral cooperation in the field of transport infrastructure and the implementation of several projects to develop transportation routes. One of the key topics was the possibility of increasing direct flights between Kazakhstan and South Korea. Currently, there are 14 passenger and 6 cargo flights per week between the two countries, mainly from Astana and Almaty to Se
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of Turkmenistan in Seoul held the official reception on the occasion of 300th anniversary of birth of the great Turkmen poet and thinker Magtymguly Fragi and the 33rd Anniversary of the Independence of Turkmenistan on Oct. 30, 2024. Delivering a welcoming speech, H.E. B. Durdyyev, Ambassador of Turkmenistan in Seoul said, “We aim to explore new opportunities in innovation, sustainable development, and mutual benefit with South Korea. At the same time, we are interested to contribute not only to the prosperity of our nations but also to regional stab
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo On the occasion of the celebrations of 140 years of diplomatic relations between Italy and Korea and within the framework of the Year of Cultural Exchange between Italy and Korea proclaimed by two countries, the Italian Embassy in Seoul, the Italian Cultural Institute in Seoul and the Korea Foundation are hosting the exhibition MOSAICO. Italian code of a timeless art from November 15, 2024 to February 28, 2025 at the KF Gallery. An unprecedented multimedia exhibition to tell the stories of Italy through the precious testimonies of a timeless expressive code: th