By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of the Dominican Republic in the Republic of Korea captivated Korean guests with an exclusive cultural soirée: “Dominican Cigar & Rum Night in Korea”, held on the occasion of the official visit of Ms. Biviana Riveiro, Executive Director of ProDominicana. The event stood out as a refined and one-of-a-kind evening where Dominican tradition and excellence took center stage in the heart of Seoul. In her welcome remarks, Ambassador Angie Martínez, Head of Mission in Seoul, stated: “Tonight, as we pay tribute to two of the most emblematic symbols of o
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo SK bioscience announced on Oct. 15 that it has submitted a Phase 1/2 clinical trial application in Australia for GBP511, a universal coronavirus vaccine (pan-sarbecovirus vaccine) candidate. Sarbecoviruses, a subgenus of coronaviruses, include SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), the original SARS virus, and related variants. GBP511 is designed to provide broad protection across the sarbecovirus family, moving beyond the strain-specific approach of existing COVID-19 vaccines. The trial will enroll approximately 500 healthy adults aged 18 and older in Australia, and will eval
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Seoul Plaza came alive with the colors, sounds, and flavors of Peru during the “Peru Day” celebration held on September 20 and 21. The event was organized in collaboration with the Embassy of Peru in Korea as part of the “Outdoor Library” program hosted annually by the Seoul Metropolitan Library. The Peruvian Pavilion transformed Seoul Plaza into a lively cultural space where thousands of visitors of all ages experienced Peru’s rich heritage through a variety of engaging activities designed for both children and adults. Visitors painted Ayacucho retablos and cu
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Zhambyl Kazakh State Academic Philharmonic showcased a vibrant concert program, while the brand “Tarbiya” presented a collection of traditional Kazakh clothing during events held in Gwangju and Seoul on Oct. 4-6, with the support of the Asian Cultural Center, the Secretariat of the Central Asia–Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum, and the Central Asia–Republic of Korea Friendship Association. The events were attended by Rhee Jong Kook, Executive Director of the Secretariat of the Central Asia–Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum; Kim Sanguk, President of the
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Dunyo Information Agency (MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan) to the Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. – Ed. At the conclusion of the 42nd session of the UNESCO General Conference, held in Paris from 7 to 22 November 2023, a historic decision was adopted to convene the next session—the 43rd session—in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in 2025. The resolution received unanimous support from all 194 Member States of the Organization, serving as a high-level recognition of the comprehensive r
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo From September 20 to 28, Nami Island in Gangwon-do hosted the “Peru Week”, a cultural event featuring a variety of activities celebrating Peruvian heritage and traditions. The program was designed for both Korean and international visitors of all ages, in coordination with the Embassy of Peru in the Republic of Korea. The weeklong celebration offered visitors a chance to experience Peru’s cultural and natural heritage, featuring art exhibitions, music and dance performances, and hands-on activities. It drew thousands of Korean and international tourists who flo
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Higgsfield AI has officially become Kazakhstan’s first unicorn startup, surpassing a $1 billion valuation, announced co-founder and former Head of Generative AI at Snap Inc. Alex Mashrabov on Sept. 28. According to Mashrabov, the company recently crossed a $50 million run-rate revenue threshold, marking a historic milestone for Kazakhstan’s tech ecosystem. “For the last 15 years, no company in our country has managed to achieve this,” he said. Higgsfield AI’s journey to unicorn status was fueled by investments from leading global funds, including Menlo Ventures
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Tajikistan took center stage in a series of major cultural events across the Republic of Korea, underscoring the deepening partnership between Central Asia and Korea. The events, held in collaboration with the Korea Foundation, the Asian Cultural Center (ACC), and the Central Asia-Korea Friendship Association, featured celebrated Tajik art, fashion, and music. The celebrations kicked off on September 30, 2025, in Seoul with the 7th Central Asian-Republic of Korea Friendship Day. A highlight of the day was a stunning fashion show presenting Tajikistan's national
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo As part of the celebration of the Central Asia–Korea Friendship Day, a traditional fashion show highlighted the cultural diversity and rich creative traditions of the countries of the region and Korea on Sept. 30, 2025. The event was organized by the Central Asia–Korea Friendship Association. The ceremony was attended by President of the Association Lee Ok Ryun, President of the Asian Cultural Center Kim Sangug, diplomats of Central Asian countries, representatives of the business community, and creative groups. In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador Nurgali Arys
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of the Dominican Republic in the Republic of Korea, together with ProDominicana, successfully hosted the “Dominican Republic–Korea Business Forum: Strategic Horizons – Exploring a Land of Opportunities for Korean Companies in the Dominican Republic.” The event brought together over 50 representatives of leading Korean companies, senior government officials, ambassadors and members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Seoul, media outlets, and distinguished figures from civil society. Among the distinguished participants were Mr. Lee Jooil, Director
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of India, Seoul successfully organized a mini-marathon event ‘Viksit Bharat Run 2025 (Developed India Run)’ on September 28, 2025 as part of a global campaign across 150+ cities in the world. The vibrant mini marathon event aimed at fostering community spirit, promoting fitness, a healthy lifestyle, and also highlighted India's journey towards becoming a developed nation by 2047. Despite heavy rain, 120+ members of the Indian diaspora & Friends of India in Korea joined the spirited 3 km run, celebrating fitness, unity & India’s vision of bec
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of India, Seoul organized a Press Conference at the Swami Vivekananda Cultural Centre (SVCC), Embassy of India on the upcoming 11th edition of Sarang: The Festival of India in the Republic of Korea (ROK). Sarang is an annual flagship cultural event celebrated by the Embassy of India in ROK, organized in collaboration with various local partners. Sarang intends to introduce India's vibrant and diverse culture to the friends in ROK, through a landscape of varied art forms. Since its inception in 2015, the festival has grown immensely in its size and p
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Azerbaijan commemorated the 5th anniversary of the beginning of its 44-day Patriotic War on September 27, 2025, which brought an end to almost 30 years of the illegal occupation of Azerbaijani territories. Five years ago, the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan resolutely responded to historical injustice against their country and ended serious violations of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty as well as of international law. In recognition of the profound respect and gratitude owed to the heroes of chronicle of this history, who laid down their lives or
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI, President & CEO Marie Antonia von Schönburg) and the French-Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry (FKCCI, CEO Sonia Chaieb) co-hosted a special reception with Korean Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Kim Jung-kwan on September 29 at the Banyan Tree Club and Spa Hotel in Seoul. The reception provided a platform to discuss recent developments in economic policy, foreign investment, and the overall business climate for German, French, and other European companies operating in Korea. Around 200 r
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo LG Electronics (LG) announced the success of its AI-powered Radio Optimism campaign on Sept. 25, which revealed a universal truth: despite the rapid advances in technology, love and gratitude toward family and loved ones remain life’s foremost priorities. Available in six languages, the creative platform inspired people globally to create more than 700,000 personalized songs. These AI-generated tracks – listened to and shared over 1.5 million times – underscored the enduring importance of human connection across cultures. Designed to counter the sense of discon