By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo HS Hyosung Advanced Materials signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with TATA Steel Thailand for the long-term purchase of sustainable steel raw materials on June 18, the company said. Through this MOU, HS Hyosung Advanced Materials will be able to secure a stable supply of sustainable steel raw materials used in tire steel cords. TATA STEEL Thailand, a subsidiary of India’s leading Tata Group, produces high-quality steel raw materials using the electric arc furnace (EAF) method. EAF-based products recycle scrap metal and are highly energy-efficient, resul
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Acting Mayor Kim Jung-ki of Daegu City met with Finnish Ambassador to South Korea Jyri Järviaho at Daegu City Hall on July 2, the city announced. According to Daegu City, Jyri Järviaho, the Finnish Ambassador, expressed gratitude during the meeting with Acting Mayor Kim, saying, “Thank you for inviting me to the Daegu Chicken and Beer Festival, which represents Daegu City.” He added, “I am pleased to have the opportunity to learn about Daegu's industry and culture through this visit.” In response, Acting Mayor Kim said, “Thank you for your interest in the Daegu
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Kim Dong-yeon, governor of Gyeonggi Province, met with Mizushima Koichi, Japanese Ambassador to Korea, at the provincial office on July 2 to discuss cooperation between the two countries in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between Korea and Japan. During the meeting, Governor Kim said, "Although Korea-Japan relations have gone through many ups and downs over the years, the two countries are still close neighbors. I am pleased that South Korea-Japan relations have developed into a very good relationship recently.
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Finnish Ambassador to South Korea Jyri Järviaho visited Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST) on July 2. The visit was arranged to discuss ways to expand exchanges and practical cooperation in the fields of science and technology and higher education, the DGIST said. Ambassador Jyri Järviaho has been focusing on strengthening innovation ecosystem cooperation between the two countries by visiting major science and technology institutions in Korea since taking office as the Finnish Ambassador to Korea in 2024. Recently, he has been taking th
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Amid rapidly shifting dynamics in the Middle East, a seminar titled “Middle East Policy Direction of the Lee Administration” was held on July 1, at the 5th Meeting Room of the National Assembly Members’ Office Building. The event aimed to explore practical foreign policy strategies for the region based on South Korea’s national interest. The seminar was co-hosted by Rep. Hong Ki-won (Democratic Party of Korea, Pyeongtaek A), a member of the Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, and the Korea-Arab Society, and organized by the Center for Middle East and Isl
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the Republic of Korea hosted an annual Diplomatic Reception to celebrate the Independence Day of the Republic of Belarus at the Pullman Hotel in Seoul on July 1, 2025. The event brought together over 130 guests, including heads and representatives of more than 35 foreign diplomatic missions, distinguished figures from Korea’s cultural, academic, and sports communities, as well as members of the Belarusian diaspora. In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador of Belarus Andrew Chernetsky highlighted the historical significance
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo | The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI), led by President & CEO Marie Antonia von Schönburg, held the AHK Florist Certificate Award Ceremony on June 30 at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul. This event recognized nine newly certified florists who completed the AHK Florist Program, a vocational training initiative jointly organized by KGCCI with two of Korea’s leading floral design academies—Cochi Oh Myeon Floral Art School and Lim’s Flower Academy. Integrating core elements of the Germany’s dual vocational training system, the program adhere
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo "Pisco: Spirit of Peru" had a prominent participation in the "Seoul International Wines & Spirits Expo 2025", held from June 26 to 28. This flagship beverage is “pisco", a grape-based high-quality liquor distilled in Peru, where it was born in the 16th century. Some of the most popular cocktails with pisco include "Pisco Sour" (made also with egg whites and a dash of bitters), as well as "Chilcano" (made with Ginger Ale, lime wedge, or wheel, for garnish). It is the second time the Embassy of Peru participates in this international expo in collaboration wit
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon met with Singapore Ambassador to South Korea Eric Teo, who is about to leave his post, and expressed his gratitude for his contributions to exchanges between Gyeonggi Province and Singapore on June 19. The two also confirmed their commitment to further developing the cooperative relationship between South Korea and Singapore, as well as between Gyeonggi Province and Singapore. Governor Kim said to Ambassador Teo at the provincial office, “During your tenure as Singapore's ambassador to South Korea, you have made tremendo
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Yeosu World Island Exhibition Organizing Committee announced on June 28 that Paul Fernando Duclos Parodi, Peruvian Ambassador to South Korea, signed a letter of intent to participate in the 2026 Yeosu World Island Exhibition. Peru is a country with a long Pacific coastline stretching 3,000 km, and is known as a treasure trove of island culture and marine ecology, including the Bayesta Island, nicknamed the “Little Galapagos,” and the Uros Island on Lake Titicaca. Through this participation decision, Peru plans to introduce its abundant island resources and
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Nkubito Manzi Bakuramutsa, the Rwandan Ambassador to South Korea, visited the Chungcheongbuk-do province and met with Governor Kim Young-hwan on June 30, 2025. This visit was part of mutual exchanges that began with the visit of Kim Soo-min, Vice Governor of Chungcheongbuk-do Province, to the Rwandan Embassy in South Korea in March. During the meeting, they discussed ways to strengthen economic cooperation, cultivate bio talent, and develop the bio industry. Vice Governor Kim emphasized, “Chungbuk Province is the heart of K-Bio and a forward base for life scien
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo SK bioscience, a global innovative vaccine and biotech company committed to promoting human health from prevention to cure, announced on June 30 that the company has secured a large-scale commercial production facility which will support entry into the global pneumococcal vaccine market. SK bioscience held a mechanical completion ceremony to mark the expansion of its vaccine manufacturing plant, L HOUSE in Andong, South Korea, on June 27. The expanded facility will serve as a production site for GBP410, a 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV21) candida
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Eurasian Economic Forum was held in Minsk from June 27 to 28, reaffirming Belarus’s role as a central venue for strategic Eurasian dialogue. The high-level international gathering has brought together heads of government, senior officials, business leaders, and experts from across the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and key partner countries. In his opening address, President of the Republic of Belarus, H.E. Aleksandr Lukashenko, emphasized the importance of building a multipolar, just world order based on equal cooperation and mutual respect. The Head of Be
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Youn Young-mi, chairperson of the Korea Importers Association (KOIMA), met with Ambassador Wilfried Georg Schmidt at the German Embassy in Seoul to discuss ways to expand trade between the two countries, the Korea Importers Association announced on June 26. Ambassador Schmidt expressed his hope that the two countries would work closely together to expand trade amid the spread of protectionism and deepening global uncertainty. He also requested that the association take an active role in resolving non-tariff barriers, which are cited as a major obstacle to trade
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Kia Corporation (Kia) President and CEO Song Ho-sung has been honored with the prestigious Issigonis Trophy at the 2025 Autocar Awards. Named after the legendary automotive designer and inventor Sir Alec Issigonis, the Trophy is Autocar’s most prestigious award. Presented annually, it recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the automotive industry through innovation, leadership and exceptional business performance. Mark Tisshaw, Editor of Autocar, commented, “We’re delighted to present Ho Sung Song with the Issigonis Trophy. We’ve bee