By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Ambassador of Kazakhstan Nurgali Arystanov held a meeting with Mr. Ban Ki-moon, the 8th Secretary-General of the United Nations and Chairman of the Global Green Growth Institute (GGGI), on the margins of Global Green Growth Week 2025. During the meeting, the parties exchanged views on the prospects for cooperation in the field of green development. Ambassador Arystanov expressed his appreciation to Mr. Ban for his significant contribution to strengthening bilateral cooperation, including through active participation in events organized by Kazakhstan. In this co
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Gil-ju Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, visiting Canada to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, held his first bilateral meeting with British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on November 11 (local time). Minister Cho congratulated Minister Cooper on her appointment (September 2025) and expressed hope to deepen practical cooperation between the two countries across various fields, including economy and trade, defense and security, and science and technology. He also expressed hope that the ongoing Korea-UK FTA improvement negotiations would be expedited, thereby further s
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The 16th Executive Committee meeting of the Secretariat of the Central Asia–Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum was held in Seoul, where participants discussed ways to strengthen partnerships between the countries of the region and the Republic of Korea. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, the Forum Secretariat, and the Embassies of the Central Asian countries. The agenda covered the 2025 activities of the Secretariat and the main priorities for 2026, including preparations for the first Centr
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Gil-ju The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held the “2025 Forum for Youth Expansion to Latin America” on November 11, at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies in Seoul. The forum, held annually, provides youth with information on career opportunities in Latin America and serves as a networking platform to share work experiences in the region. This year’s forum brought together Latin America experts, officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and other public institutions in charge of overseas employment support programs. Professionals in energy, automobile and content i
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Minister of Unification Chung Dong-young met with Thai Ambassador to South Korea Tanee Sangrat on Nov. 10 to discuss cooperation between South Korea and Thailand regarding the situation on the Korean Peninsula and policies toward North Korea and unification. Minister Chung highly praised the political and diplomatic achievements between Korea and Thailand during the recent APEC summit and requested further strengthening of strategic communication between the two countries for peaceful coexistence on the Korean Peninsula and regional peace and prosperity. He urg
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Greece, led by Ambassador Lim Joo-sung, announced on Nov. 10 (local time) that it awarded the Diplomatic Order of Merit, Gwanghwa Medal, to former Greek Ambassador to Korea Ekaterini Loupas on behalf of the Korean government. Former Ambassador Loupas was recognized for her contributions to the development of bilateral relations during her tenure as Ambassador to Korea from 2022 to 2024. The Order of Diplomatic Service is awarded to individuals who have contributed to the development of Korea's diplomatic relations. Expres
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) announced that Nodeul Island will go through its first major transformation in 55 years. Popular among Seoul citizens, this popular sunset spot will become a global art island that brings together exhibitions, performances, and rest beyond its role as a leisure space. Titled “Nodeul Global Art Island,” it is part of Seoul’s Hangang Renaissance 2.0: Great Hangang Project launched in 2023. The project aims to make the entire ground, waterfront and aerial spaces of Nodeul Island accessible to the public, expanding from the o
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Ministry of Foreign Affairs Ambassador for International Cyber Cooperation Yoon Jong-kwon held the 2nd Korea-Netherlands Security Consultative Meeting with Wouter Jurgens, Director-General for Security Policy at the Dutch Ministry of Foreign Affairs, in The Hague, Netherlands, on November 10. During this Security Consultative Meeting, both sides exchanged views on various security issues facing the two countries, including: ▴assessment of the security threat environment, ▴non-proliferation of weapons of mass destruction (WMD), ▴emerging security threats, and ▴n
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Kia Corporation (Kia) and Motability Operations Limited, the company which runs the Motability Scheme in the UK, have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Nov. 4, reaffirming their mutual commitment towards electrification and enhancing personal mobility through care for the environment. The key objective of this collaboration is to bring to market an affordable, fully electric, side-entry Wheelchair Accessible Vehicle (WAV), while advancing inclusive mobility through Kia’s Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) lineup to meet the accessibility and electrificat
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo European Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ECCK) Chairperson Philippe van Hoof attended the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC) Roundtable on November 6 with Foreign Chambers of Commerce in Korea. The Roundtable was hosted by newly appointed Chairperson Biung-Ghi Ju. As the Chairperson of the ECCK, Philippe emphasized that the European business community is fully behind and supportive of initiatives that strengthen the competitive and fair business in Korea. As part of such efforts, the ECCK suggested that the re-enactment of the previously drafted legislation, by i
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Gangjin County in South Jeolla Province recently visited the Vietnamese Embassy in Korea and met with Ambassador Vu Ho to discuss ways to promote friendly cooperation and expand practical exchanges between the two regions. According to Gangjin County on Nov. 10, the visit was attended by five officials, including County Mayor Gang Jin-won and Gangjin County Culture and Tourism Foundation CEO Kim Ki-tae. Four representatives from the Vietnamese Embassy in Korea were also present, including Ambassador Vu Ho and Counselor Nguyen Dinh Dung. In 2013, Gangjin County
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo A solemn event dedicated to 8 November-Victory Day was held in Seoul, organized by the Embassy of the Republic of Azerbaijan in the Republic of Korea. The Ambassador of Azerbaijan to the Republic of Korea, Ramin Hasanov, delivered a heartfelt speech to those gathered at the event. He began by emphasizing that Azerbaijan’s victory in the Patriotic War in 2020 not only ended occupation of Azerbaijani territories after more than 30 years of historical injustice, but also created the conditions necessary for peace in the region. He explained that the end of the occ
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo SK opened the “SK AI Summit 2025” at COEX Convention & Exhibition Center in Seoul on November 3. Running through Tuesday, the SK AI Summit is a platform for collaboration where SK shares its integrated AI capabilities and vision accumulated across semiconductors, energy solutions and AI data centers. The event brings together diverse partners from global big tech companies, startups and academia to explore ways to strengthen the future AI ecosystem. Last year's inaugural event attracted over 30,000 participants both online and offline, establishing itself a
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Hyundai Motor Company achieved nine honors at the prestigious Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design 2025, including one Best of the Best award for its film project ‘Night Fishing.’ The accolades celebrated the company’s innovation and creativity across diverse design and communication categories: Film and Animation, Advertising, Interior Architecture, Restaurant & Café, Brand, Brands & Communications Design, and Digital Solutions. The Red Dot Award: Brands & Communication Design is one of the world’s most esteemed design competitions, rec
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The operator of the Suseo High-Speed Railway (SRT), SR, donated 1,000 Mongolian-translated environmental education books to the Mongolian Embassy in Seoul on November 7 to raise environmental awareness among Mongolian children. The ceremony was attended by officials from SR, the Sudokwon Landfill Site Management Corporation, and the Mongolian Embassy in Korea and they shared their commitment to building consensus on carbon neutrality and strengthening global social contribution cooperation. The children's environmental education books donated this time were joi