By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Bakhrom Babayev, Head of the Department of Water and Ecological Research, International Institute of Central Asia, to the Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. – Ed. Uzbekistan, located in the heart of Central Asia, faces unique environmental challenges that require an integrated approach and strategic planning. In recent years, the country has been taking active steps to protect the environment by integrating sustainable development into national programs and projects. These effor
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Chungnam-do has agreed to expand exchanges with its sister province of Sichuan, China, to include parliamentary, administrative, and sports fields. The provincial government said on July 16 that Chungnam-do Governor Kim Tae-heum and Tian Xiangli, chairman of the Sichuan Provincial Political Consultative Conference, discussed ways to expand public-private cooperation, revitalize exchanges in the high-tech industry, and promote parliamentary and administrative exchanges. The main contents include exchanges between the city council and the Sichuan Provincial Peopl
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Gyeonggi-do Governor Kim Dong-yeon met with Jennifer Scanlon, chairwoman and CEO of UL Solutions (UL), at the provincial government office on June 26 to discuss attracting investment in the establishment of an advanced automotive and battery safety testing center. As UL is a global leader in industrial safety certification, the two leaders paid their respects to the victims of the Hwaseong lithium battery factory fire and discussed ways to cooperate in the field of industrial safety. According to Gyeonggi Province, Governor Kim said, “Although I canceled all ot
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Busan City Mayor Park Hyung-jun met with Japanese Ambassador to Korea Koichi Mizushima on July 11 in the International Conference Room of City Hall and discussed interaction and cooperation between Busan and Japan. Ambassador Koichi Mizushima visited Busan for the first time to attend the '2024 South Korea-USA-Japan Global Leadership Youth Summit' and met with Mayor Park on the same day. Mayor Park thanked Ambassador Koichi for his visit to Busan and said, “I hope this event will deepen the bond between our two countries and serve as a good opportunity for youn
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Gyeongju City Mayor Joo Nak-young met with U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Philip Goldberg at the Gyeongju National Museum on July 14 to discuss ways to exchange and cooperate. This is the first time U.S. Ambassador Goldberg has visited Gyeongju, and he was accompanied by Consul General Nolan Barkhouse of the U.S. Consulate in Busan. Mayor Joo welcomed Ambassador Philip Goldberg and emphasized that Gyeongju is fully prepared to host the APEC Summit successfully. Ambassador Philip Goldberg, who visited Gyeongju, was confirmed by the U.S. Senate in May 2
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Hyundai Motor Group and the University of Oxford held an opening ceremony for the Oxford-Hyundai Motor Group Foresight Centre at Oxford’s historic Convocation House on July 8 to mark a new partnership between the two organizations. Based at Saïd Business School, the Foresight Centre will support exploring the Group’s long-term vision and strategic direction. It will strengthen the Group’s ability to proactively shape the future and identify critical focus points to address future geopolitical shifts and risks in advance. The Centre will conduct innovative resea
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo A delegation from Icheon City, led by Mayor Kim Kyung-hee, paid an official visit to its sister city, Santa Fe, New Mexico, USA. Santa Fe established a sister city relationship with Icheon in 2013, and the city sent a delegation to the 38th Icheon Ceramics Festival in April and officially invited Icheon to participate. The Icheon City delegation held a meeting with Santa Fe Mayor Alan Weber on the morning of July 11. They discussed future-oriented exchanges between the two cities and attended the opening event of the International Folk Art Market (IFAM), a repr
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo LG Electronics has been honored at the Volkswagen Group Award 2024, which took place in Wolfsburg, Germany, on July 2. LG was recognized by the Volkswagen Group, one of the world’s premier automakers, in the ‘Partnership’ category for its outstanding development, manufacture and supply chain management of mobility technologies and solutions, including in-vehicle infotainment systems and connectivity products. The award highlights LG’s unwavering commitment to excellence and points to its growing reputation in the automotive sector as a trusted partner and innov
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Hanbok Goodday, led by CEO & Hanbok designer Kim Kwang-ja, joined senior Hanbok (Korean traditional dress) models for a photo shoot in Gyeongju in the first week of July. The photo shoot was held to celebrate Gyeongju's selection as the host of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit and to promote Gyeongju as a Hanbok ambassador. On June 27, Gyeongju, Gyeongsangbuk-do, was selected as the host city for the 32nd APEC Summit in 2025, which will be attended by leaders from 21 countries. The 2025 APEC Summit, which will be held 20 years after
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo From a Small Family Factory to the Largest Production Facility in the Region: Andrey Shin and His Ice Cream Andrey Shin is a man who turned a small family business into the largest ice cream production company in Kazakhstan and Central Asia. How did he achieve this? It All Started with "Bomb" Shin-Line, a prominent company in Kazakhstan, is a recipient of numerous awards and part of the "Competitiveness Leaders - National Champions" program. The company's primary focus is ice cream production, accounting for 77% of its total output. Shin-Line also produces milk
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Odilbek Sotvoldiyev, research fellow, the Academy of Public Administration under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to the Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. –Ed. Annotation: In this article we will look at China's experience in organizing the civil service system, explore the country's basic principles and accepted practices, and also analyze its success and efficiency. China was one of the first countries to recognize the importance of professionalism and competence
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo | The following article was contributed by Rakhmatulla I. Nurimbetov, PhD, researcher of the Tashkent State University of Oriental Studies to the Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. –Ed. On July 4, 2024, in Astana, in the capital of Kazakhstan, 24th Meeting of the Council of Heads of State of the Shanghai Cooperation Organization (SCO) took place, attended by more than dozen leaders of Eurasian countries and the heads of several international organizations, including the UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres. One of its
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Kazakhstan has secured a place among the world’s middle powers, according to a comprehensive compilation of articles published by the German Institute for International and Security Affairs (SWP). The middle powers concept refers to countries that play an important role in the global political and economic arena. SWP experts singled out Kazakhstan for its foreign policy, positioning it as a Central Asian key player. Experts recognized that Kazakhstan has realized its international ambitions early, chairing the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yul held a breakfast meeting with Luxembourg's Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Xavier Bettel on July 3 and exchanged views on bilateral relations and regional and international affairs. Bettel was visiting Korea on the occasion of the opening of the Embassy of Luxembourg in Seoul. The Korean government is currently preparing to open an embassy in Luxembourg as well. Minister Cho said that Korea and Luxembourg, a fellow Korean War participant and value-sharing country, have developed cooperation in various
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Ambassador of Kazakhstan Nurgali A. Arystanov in Seoul to the Diplomacy Journal for publication. –Ed. It is widely recognised that preserving cultural heritage is crucial, as it shapes a nation’s identity and defines its future. Countries around the world have maintained historical sites, protected languages, and conserved natural sites. In Central Asia, the protection of cultural heritage is equally important, given the region’s rich and diverse history, which dates back to the 3rd millennium BCE. As the summer sun begi