By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Hungarian Ambassador to Korea István Szerdahelyi held a meeting with President Jang Beom-sik of Soongsil University on Nov. 7. During the meeting, President Jang and Ambassador Szerdahelyi discussed the need to revitalize the educational exchange between Soongsil University and Hungary. “Soongsil University currently enrolls about 3,000 foreign students and has maintained sister relationship with three foreign universities, including Budapest Metropolitan University in Hungary,” said President Jang. “Soongsil University was the first university in Korea to star
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “Ghana remains an attractive destination for investments in the sub region. Having developed and grown our democracy and political stability tremendously over the past three decades, our efforts at trade and industrial development have also seen good progress,” said H.E. Amb. Charis Obetsebi-Lamptey Zwennes of Ghana to Korea. In a recent interview with the Diplomacy Journal, Amb. Obetsebi-Lamptey Zwennes said, “In keeping with Ghana’s long-term vision of achieving resilient economic development, the government has consistently pursued an export diversification
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Gulchekhra Malikova, Doctor of Law, Professor, Chief Researcher of the Institute of Legislation and Legal Policy under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan to the Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. –Ed. New election system in Uzbekistan: what is changing in legislation and social and political life? The formation of a free society and state is impossible without the formation of stable electoral legal culture. It is a generally accepted fact that elections are the basis o
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Makhliyo Muksinova, export development director at IT Park Uzbekistan to the Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. –Ed. The collaboration between Uzbekistan and South Korea is not just an emerging trend—it’s a powerful alliance that’s driving significant developments in the IT and outsourcing sectors. Both countries have demonstrated a strong commitment to working together through a series of impactful joint initiatives and partnerships. By leveraging Uzbekistan’s young and skilled
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Azay Guliyev, Special Coordinator and Head of the OSCE short-term observers, Sargis Khandanyan, Head of the OSCE Parliamentary Assembly delegation, and Douglas Wake, Head of the OSCE Office for Democratic Institutions and Human Rights (ODIHR) election observation mission shared their impressions of the monitoring. As noted at the meeting with journalists, Uzbekistan held parliamentary elections on October 27, which became a landmark event against the backdrop of large-scale reforms implemented in the country. These elections demonstrated significant changes in
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo A group of former USFK commanders and South Korean military generals visited Hanwha Aerospace’s Changwon Plant 3 on November 1 to tour the vibrant production lines of the company’s signature combat vehicles, including the K9 Self-Propelled Howitzer (SPH) and K10 Ammunition Resupply Vehicle (ARV). The visit was organized by the Korea Defense Veterans Association (KDVA) and the Korea-U.S. Alliance Foundation (KUASF). Among the participants were Retired Gen. Curtis M. Scaparrotti, Chairman and President of KDVA; Retired Gen. Walter L. Sharp; Retired Gen. Robert B.
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The 17th Forum on Korea-Central Asia Cooperation was held in Seoul on November 4, hosted by Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul. The forum was held ahead of next year's First Korea-Central Asia Summit, and was attended by the ministers and vice ministers of foreign affairs of Korea and five Central Asian countries. The forum was attended by about 300 participants, including government delegations, business leaders, and private experts from Korea and the five Central Asian countries, and discussed the current status of cooperation between Korea and Central A
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul and Minister of National Defense Kim Yong-hyun held a joint foreign and defense ministerial meeting with U.S. Secretary of State Antony J. Blinken and Secretary of Defense Lloyd J. Austin in Washington on Oct. 31, 2024. The two sides reaffirmed the shared vision, common values, and unwavering commitment to their combined defense posture and the Mutual Defense Treaty (MDT) as the bedrock of our security partnership. They noted the U.S.-ROK Alliance serves as the linchpin of peace, security, and prosperity on the Korean Pen
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Tashkent, Uzbekistan—Managing Editor Lee Kap-soo of Diplomacy Journal and UN Journal, visited Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan to cover 2024 Uzbekistan Parliamentary Elections at the invitation of the Uzbek government through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul, the Republic of Korea. Lee visited several popular tourism places, traditional market and restaurants in Tashkent. –Ed. The writer visited some popular places in Tashkent, the capital of Uzbekistan, after finishing the polling place coverage of the 2024 Uzbekistan Parliamentary Elections. After visiti
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo President Yoon Suk-yeol accepted Letters of Credence from 13 Ambassadors-Designate to the Republic of Korea at the Presidential Office on October 28, 2024, the Presidential Office said. The thirteen Ambassadors-Designate are: H.E. Giovanni Gaspari from the Holy See, H.E. Miguel Ángel Ubaldino Romero Álvarez from the Republic of Paraguay, H.E. Saud Hasan Al Nusuf from the Kingdom of Bahrain, H.E. Sukhee Sukhbold from Mongolia, H.E. Helen Aitsi from the Independent State of Papua New Guinea, H.E. Karl-Olof Andersson from the Kingdom of Sweden, H.E. Jānis Bērziņš
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “One of the most effective ways of interaction between Turkiye and Korea is tourism. 150,039 South Koreans visited our country in 2023 and 134,715 in the first eight months of 2024. These figures are indeed far below the potential of our friendly and brotherly countries at the two ends of Asia,” said Amb. H.E. Murat Tamer of the Republic of Turkiye to Korea on Oct. 29. Delivering opening remarks at the Turkish National Day reception on the occasion of the 101st anniversary of the proclamation of the Republic of Turkiye held at Ambassador Pullman Hotel in Seoul,
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo In celebration of Kazakhstan's Republic Day, the facade of Seoul City Hall was illuminated in Kazakhstan national flag’s colors on Oct. 25, 2024. This symbolic lighting became a bright symbol of friendship and mutual respect between Kazakhstan and Korea, underscoring the close cultural and diplomatic ties between the two nations. As part of the celebration, a colorful flashmob took place in Seoul’s central square, organized with the support of the Embassy of Kazakhstan. Kazakh students, members of the diaspora, and Embassy staff attended the event. Participants
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of the Republic of Kazakhstan in the Republic of Korea, together with the Institute of Central Asian Studies of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) and Seoul Cyber University, held a roundtable dedicated to the celebration of the Republic Day. The event was held under the theme "Kazakhstan and South Korea: Enhanced Strategic Partnership and Multifaceted Ties." Key figures from South Korea's academic and diplomatic circles participated in the roundtable. Participants included heads of the Secretariat of the Central Asia – Republic of Korea Co
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Tashkent, Uzbekistan—Managing Editor Lee Kap-soo of Diplomacy Journal and UN Journal, visited Uzbekistan to cover 2024 Uzbekistan Parliamentary Elections at the invitation of the Uzbek government through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul, the Republic of Korea. Lee visited four polling sites in Tashkent and had an interview with voters. –Ed. “I hope to elect representatives who will work for the development of education in Uzbekistan,” said Xujayeva Muxarram, head of the 142 School. In an interview with the Diplomacy Journal, Mrs. Xujayeva said at the polling
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Prime Minister Han Duck-soo received the Speaker of the Algerian House of Representatives Brahim Boughali, who is on an official visit to Korea (Oct. 22-25) on Oct. 23, and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest, including bilateral relations, economic and development cooperation, and the regional situation. Prime Minister Han welcomed the visit of the Algerian top official and praised the steady development of friendly relations with Algeria, a strategic partner. Appreciating Algeria's efforts to create a business-friendly environment, including the enac