By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo TES, an SK Ecoplant company, provided a boost to sustainability efforts in the U.S. with the grand opening in March of a facility in Fredericksburg, Va., dedicated to securely repurpose IT assets. The site will ensure valuable materials from IT equipment can be used again, without compromising data security, instead of ending up in landfills as electronic waste. The 128,000-square-foot facility is expected to create 100 well-paying jobs in the Fredericksburg area. Strategically located near the largest data center market in the world, the Virginia site will pla
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Hyundai Motor Group co–hosted the 2024 Korea–Africa Business Forum on March 25 in Seoul in partnership with the Centre for Sustainable Structural Transformation (CSST) at SOAS University of London and the Korea–Africa Foundation. The forum discussed how Korean and African stakeholders can work together as strategic partners for sustainable development amidst ongoing geopolitical uncertainty. “Africa holds immense potential for strong partnerships and sustainable development,” said Ken Kim, Executive Vice President of HMG Business Intelligence Institute. “Throug
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo | Gyeonggi Gov. Kim Dong-yeon met with Estonian Ambassador to Korea Sten Schwede to discuss ways to build a cooperative relationship between Gyeonggi-do and Estonia. "Estonia is a leading country in digital government, and Gyeonggi-do is interested in utilizing artificial intelligence and advanced technology not only in digital government but also in the lives of its citizens," Kim told Amb. Sten Schwede, who visited the Gyeonggi-do Government Office on March 22. "Gyeonggi-do is striving to become a pioneer not only in Korea but also in the world in the digital
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo A special event dedicated to the 105th Anniversary of the founding of the modern Belarusian Diplomatic Service was held at the Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the Republic of Korea on March 25. The meeting was attended by invited guests from among the representatives of the foreign diplomatic corps, cultural and media circles of the Republic of Korea. Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Korea Andrew Chernetsky addressed the audience with a welcoming speech. At the suggestion of the head of Belarusian
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Korea, Nurgali Arystanov, took part in the event “Forest and Innovation - New Solutions for a Better World” to mark the International Day of Forests on March 21. It was organized by the Korea Forest Service and the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) and attended by Ambassadors of AFoCO countries such as Chile, Brunei, Myanmar, the Philippines and Tajikistan. While delivering the remarks, the Kazakh Ambassador noted the positive dynamics of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Korea Forest Service and AFoCO in the fie
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul held his first meeting with Uzbekistan Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor SAIDOV since taking office at the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 20. The two sides discussed bilateral relations between the two countries. Foreign Minister Cho said that Uzbekistan and Korea have developed a special partnership, suggesting that they continue to cooperate closely in various fields. Foreign Minister Saidov said that Uzbekistan, a special strategic partner of Korea, greatly values its relations with the country and int
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “Korea-Pakistan diplomatic ties, established forty-one years ago, have blossomed into a partnership, based on respect, cordiality, and mutual interest,” said Amb. Nabeel Munir of Pakistan to Korea. Delivering a speech at the Pakistan’s National Day reception held at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on March 21, Amb. Munir said, “From socio-economic development to trade and investment, from defense cooperation to cultural exchanges, this partnership continues to blossom. “The ‘Miracle on Han River’ continues to inspire us. We want to learn fr
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI, President & CEO Martin Henkelmann) in cooperation with the Korea Energy Economic Institute (KEEI), Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP), German policy consultancy think tank adelphi and Hydrogen Convergence Alliance held the 6th Korean-German Energy Day (KGED) conference on March 21 at Grand Hyatt Berlin, Germany. The KGED is the flagship event of the Korean-German Energy Partnership, co-hosted by German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and Kore
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Navruz is one of the brightest, most joyful and beautiful holidays, not only in Uzbekistan, but in the whole Muslim East! Spring festival of Navruz, the oriental New Year, is directly connected with the coming of spring and is celebrated on 21 March, on the spring (vernal) equinox, when day becomes equal to night and continues to win from it several minutes with every next turn of the Earth, and when the New Solar Year brings a new phase of renewal. On the eve of Nowruz holiday, the managing editor of "Diplomacy Journal" Lee Kap-soo held an interview with Vital
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by the Embassy of Kazakhstan to Diplomacy Journal for publication. –Ed. The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, delivered an address at the National Kurultai (National Congress) on March 15. He primally focused on Kazakhstan’s development, outlining key tasks and priorities for the country. The President stated that addressing economic issues alone does not suffice for becoming a genuinely developed nation, adding that Kazakhstan must take a comprehensive approach, outlining guidelines not only in the socio-econ
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul met with Dr. Thomas Bagger, State Secretary of Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, on March 11. They exchanged views on matters of mutual interests, such as bilateral relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Foreign Minister Cho and State Secretary Bagger agreed to work towards rearranging President Yoon Suk-yeol's state visit to Germany, which was inevitably postponed last month due to various domestic affairs, at an appropriate time. They also agreed to further bolster the ties between the two countries throug
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo | Ambassador of Kazakhstan Nurgali Arystanov met with Daejeon City Mayor Lee Jang-woo in Daejeon City on March 12 to explore ways to expand bilateral cooperation. The Ambassador highlighted the importance of collaboration in science and education. He talked about President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's vision for a prosperous Kazakhstan, in which priority is also attached to increasing scientific and technical potential. This, as noted by the Kazakh Envoy, opens new opportunities for closer ties with Korea, especially in areas like digital transformation and training
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo | The following article was contributed by Kamila Sabirova, leading research fellow at Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to the Diplomacy Journal for publication via the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. -- Ed. In recent years, addressing the challenges posed by climate change and finding ways to adapt and mitigate its negative impacts have become crucial priorities for global sustainable development, including our country. Uzbekistan, being one of the lands most vulnerable to climate change, has consi
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Dildora Karimova, Doctor of Economics, Project Manager, Institute for Macroeconomic and Regional Studies under the Cabinet of Ministers of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to the Diplomacy Journal for publication via the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. –Ed. The principles of a «social state», as defined in the renewed Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, adopted in 2023, require the unconditional provision of citizens' interests and rights to social protection, a fundamental improvement in the quality of social service
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo President Yoon Suk-yeol received John Podesta, Senior Advisor for International Climate Policy to the President of the United States, at the presidential office on March 12, and exchanged views on bilateral climate cooperation, global climate crisis response, and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The President welcomed Mr. Podesta to Korea on his first overseas trip since being appointed to his current position. Recalling that he and President Biden agreed to expand cooperation on green technologies, including carbon reduction, during his state visit to the Un