By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Korea Customs Service (KSC) Commissioner Ko Kwang-hyo attended the 'European Business Roundtable in Korea' hosted by the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea on May 28. The meeting was attended by 30 representatives of European companies in Korea and the European Union Delegation to Korea, and Commissioner Ko was invited by Philippe Van Hoof, Chairperson of the European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK). Commissioner Ko expressed his pleasure to attend this year's event after last year's ('23.9.7), and shared the direction of tariff policy with European comp
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in Korea paid a visit to Kyungpook National University (KNU), located in Daegu, on May 23, 2024. During the trip, the Head of Belarusian foreign mission Andrew Chernetsky met with the Vice President of KNU, Suh Chang-kyo. In the course of the meeting the two parties exchanged copies of the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signed between Minsk State Linguistic University and Kyungpook National University, had a conversation about the further development of bilateral cooperation in the field of science and education, emphas
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of Nepal and Nepal Tourism Board, in collaboration with the Dongguk University, co-hosted a seminar on Buddhism in Nepal titled "Historicity and Practice of Buddhism in Nepal" at Dongguk University in Seoul on May 24, 2024. The seminar, which was organized on the occasion of the 50th anniversary of Nepal-Korea diplomatic relations and the 2568 Buddha Jayanti and supported by the International Cultural Properties Strategy Center (ICPSC), aimed at sharing Nepal's role in promoting and nurturing Buddhism, and developing Lumbini, the birthplace of Lord
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo | Noting that Azerbaijan consistently supports global climate action and has made green growth one of the key priorities of its development, Ambassador Ramin Hasanov of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Seoul said on May 22, “President Ilham Aliyev declared 2024 as a Year of Solidarity for a Green World to foster momentum on climate action at a national level and beyond.” “In this respect, we hope to actively cooperate with Korea which has great experience and excellent know-how in the said fields,” said Ambassador Hasanov at the reception for the Independence Day
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Dr. Martin Henkelmann, President and CEO of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI), gave a special lecture to 100 students at Busan University of Foreign Studies (BUFS) on May 22, 2024. Dr. Henkelmann’s presentation, titled “Working in German Companies - Benefitting from the Growing Korean-German Business Relations,” offered valuable insights into the dynamic and evolving business relations between South Korea and Germany. He highlighted the opportunities and advantages for Korean students aspiring to build careers in German companies and em
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Ambassador Vu Ho of Vietnam to Korea, delivered a greeting at the 'Beyond Korea, a Public-Private Partnership Conference to Support SMEs and Venture Companies to Go Global' held at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry in Seoul on May 22. The event was the first event organized by the public-private partnership to support the overseas expansion of SMEs and venture firms, and Vietnam was selected as the first theme country as there is a high demand for SMEs to expand overseas. The government has decided to build a strong foundation for globalization by focu
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Iranian President Ebrahim Raisi and the country’s foreign minister were found dead on May 20 hours after their helicopter crashed in fog, the AP reported. Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, who has the final say in the Shiite theocracy, quickly named a little-known vice president as caretaker and insisted the government was in control, but the deaths marked yet another blow to a country beset by pressures at home and abroad. Related to this, the government of the Republic of Korea expressed its deepest condolences and sympathy on May 20 to the bereaved fami
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Venezuelan Olympic BMX medalist Daniel Dhers visited Korea and held a press conference at the headquarters of the Venezuelan Embassy in Seoul on May 20, 2024. Introducing that Daniel Dhers is a Venezuelan professional BMX rider and he is one of the most decorated BMX riders of all time, Charge d'Affaires a.i. Isabel Teresa Di Carlo Quero of Venezuela said, “Under President Maduro’s leadership, the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela has robustly continued the legacy of the revolutionary government, expanding social investments in sports infrastructure.” She said,
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The talented Kazakh violinist Aiman Mussakhajayeva put on a remarkable show in Seoul alongside the KBS Symphony Orchestra on May 10, 2024. The concert, held at Seoul Cyber University to celebrate its 25th anniversary, was a huge success among attendees. Mussakhajayeva's reputation precedes her, being recognized as one of the "2000 Outstanding Musicians of the 20th Century" by the IBC World Honor List, she was awarded the honorary title of UNESCO “Artist for Peace”. Her performance, featuring some of the most beloved classical pieces, left the audience mesmerize
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo President Yoon Suk-yeol met with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet on May 16 to strengthen the level of cooperation between the two countries, including establishing a strategic partnership. President Yoon held a summit with Cambodian Prime Minister Hun Manet, who is on an official visit to South Korea, at the Yongsan Presidential Office earlier in the day. “It is very meaningful that we have established a strategic partnership between our two countries,” Yoon said in his remarks at the meeting, adding, “We look forward to expanding trade and investment cooper
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo On May 14, 2024, within the framework of the celebration of the 300th anniversary of birth of the great Turkmen poet and thinker Magtymguly Fragi, the Embassy of Turkmenistan in the Republic of Korea held an international scientific conference and the exhibition in the Yongsan district Administration building of Seoul. The heads and staff of the Central Asia-Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum Secretariat, heads of the diplomatic missions accredited in the Republic of Korea, researchers, representatives of creative intellectuals, students as well as media repre
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo In March 2024, President of the Sungkyunkwan University Yoo Ji-beom led a delegation to Kazakhstan to strengthen academic ties and explore new collaborations. The visit included stops at three universities: Satbayev University, Gumilyov Eurasian National University (ENU), and Nazarbayev University. The primary focus of the visit was to discuss opportunities for educational and research cooperation. The delegation discussed student exchange programs, attracting top Kazakh students to Sungkyunkwan's graduate schools, and nurturing experts in science and engineeri
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul visited China and had a meeting with Wang Yi, member of the Political Bureau of the Communist Party of China (CPC) Central Committee and Minister of Foreign Affairs, on May 13. The two ministers agreed to continue their cooperation for the success of the 9th Korea-Japan-China Summit to be held soon in Korea. It was the first meeting between the two ministers since Minister Cho took office. During the meeting and the ensuing dinner, the two sides held in-depth discussions on issues of mutual interest including overall Kore
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The 94th Namwon Chunhyang Festival, Korea's longest-running traditional performing arts festival, kicked off on May 10 with an opening ceremony attended by more than 5,000 domestic and foreign guests. According to Namwon City and the Chunhyang Festival Committee, the 94th Namwon Chunhyang Festival was held for seven days from May 10 to 16 in Gwanghanruwon, Namwon, under the theme of 'Chunhyang, falls in love with color' with more than 40 programs. With the active participation of foreign ambassadors, senior diplomats and overseas performance teams, the festival
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo KEPCO, led by CEO Kim Dong-cheol, signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Ministry of Energy of the Kyrgyz Republic for technical cooperation in the energy sector, KEPCO announced on May 10. The MOU provides an opportunity for KEPCO to cooperate with the Kyrgyz Republic on new energy technologies such as high-voltage direct current transmission (HVDC) and intelligent electricity metering system (AMI). “We will share our experience in growing the power business with the Kyrgyz Republic and continue to cooperate on new energy projects such as high-vol