By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Hyundai Motor Group showcased its position as a global leader in hydrogen at the World Hydrogen Summit 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands, May 20-22. The group took part in both the exhibition and high-level Roundtable to share its latest hydrogen initiatives and drive industry dialogue. At the Summit’s Korean Pavilion - organized in collaboration with H2KOREA, a key coalition of hydrogen industry stakeholders - the group highlighted the global advancement of hydrogen technology. The Pavilion also featured contributions from KOTRA and Doosan Fuel Cell. The group hi
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Italian Embassy in Korea successfully concluded the commemoration ceremony for the 79th anniversary of the proclamation of the Italian Republic on June 2. Over 300 prominent figures from Korea and Italy, including Kim Hee-sang, Director-General for Economic Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Lee Han-kyung, Vice Minister for Safety at the Ministry of Interior and Safety, as well as representatives from the political, business, academic, scientific, and cultural sectors, attended the event held at the Italian Embassy residence. The Italian Repu
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The awards ceremony for “The 5th Korea+Sweden Young Design Award (KSYDA)”—co-hosted by home furnishing retailer IKEA Korea, the Embassy of Sweden in Seoul, and the Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP)—was held on June 4 at the Grand Hyatt Seoul, in conjunction with ‘Sweden Day,’ an annual celebration hosted by the Embassy of Sweden. Launched in 2019 to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Sweden, the Korea+Sweden Young Design Award aims to expand design exchange between the 2 countries. Under the guiding principles of
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Newly-elected President Lee Jae-myung said at his inauguration ceremony held at the Rotunda Hall of the National Assembly on the morning of June 4, “We will turn the crisis of global economic and security environment transformation into an opportunity to maximize national interests through practical diplomacy centered on national interests.” He also said, “Based on the solid ROK-U.S. alliance, we will strengthen ROK-U.S.-Japan cooperation and approach relations with neighboring countries from the perspective of national interests and practicality. We will broad
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo From May 29 to 31, 2025, Dushanbe, Tajikistan, hosted the First High-Level International Conference on Glaciers’ Preservation. The event commenced with an opening address by the President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, Honourable Emomali Rahmon. President Rahmon extended a warm welcome to the high-level participants, wishing the conference great success. He underscored the conference's significance as a crucial step towards the implementation of the United Nations resolution declaring 2025 the "International Year of Glaciers’ Preservation.
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Leader of the Nation, Honorable Emomali Rahmon, received Ms. Mafalda Duarte, Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) on May 30, 2025. Ms. Duarte's visit to Dushanbe was for her participation in the inaugural High-Level International Conference on Glacier Preservation. During their meeting, President Rahmon conveyed his expectation that the Green Climate Fund would play a crucial role in achieving the conference's goals and in advancing worldwide initiatives to combat the accelerated melting of glaciers. Ke
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “Filipinos and Koreans share a common love for family and festivals or festivities where the family gathers together. Many of these festivities involve both the preparation of and the enjoyment of traditional food which we also share,” said Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega of the Philippines to Korea on May 26, 2025. In an exclusive interview with the Diplomacy Journal at the Embassy of the Philippines in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Amb. Dizon-de Vega said, “There are just some differences in the way we prepare them. I often focus more on similarities between the Philip
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the Republic of Korea took part on May 24 in the international multicultural festival “Busan Global Gathering 2025”, held annually in Busan, the second largest city in the Republic of Korea. According to the already established tradition, at the festival, Belarus diplomatic mission treated guests to national homemade pastries and honey drinks, also introduce the local community to the culture, history and tourist features of Belarus. For the very young visitors of the festival, coloring books with images of national sym
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul met with Wamkele Keabetswe Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, who is visiting Korea on the sidelines of the Jeju Forum (May 28-29), and exchanged views on expanding economic cooperation between Korea and Africa and strengthening the Secretariat's capacity on May 27, 2025. Minister Cho welcomed Mr. Mene to Korea and expressed his pleasure that Korea, which has been supporting the accelerated implementation of the AfCFTA since its inception in 2021, will be able to utili
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation led by Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Mr. Sanjay Kumar Jha arrived in Seoul as part of a broader five-nation diplomatic outreach to brief on the significance of Operation Sindoor, the Embassy of India in Seoul said on May 27. The visit, scheduled from 24-26 May 2025, is an integral part of the Government of India’s ongoing efforts to further India’s principled and unwavering stance of zero tolerance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. During the course of their visit, the delegation engaged with senior of
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in the Republic of Korea, in collaboration with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of Oman, organized a promotional forum for Korean travel and tourism companies in Seoul on May 23, 2025. The event aims to exchange experiences and introduce participants to the natural and cultural attractions that the Sultanate of Oman has to offer, thereby encouraging the South Korean tourism sector to include Oman among its preferred destinations and enhancing opportunities for tourism cooperation between the two countries. This forum is
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo SK bioscience announced on May 11 that the Supreme Court of Korea has ruled in its favor in a patent infringement lawsuit filed by large global pharmaceutical giant Pfizer over its 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13). In 2020, Pfizer claimed that SK bioscience’s export of PCV13 individual conjugate bulk substances and research-use finished products to Russia infringed on the composition patent of its vaccine, Prevnar 13. However, the Supreme Court ruled that the individual conjugates comprising PCV13 do not fall within the scope of Pfizer’s patent
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “Belarus is a country with an ancient history and rich traditions, beautiful nature and stunning architecture, industrial giants and well-developed agriculture, unique cuisine and hospitable people,” said H.E. Andrew Chernetsky, Belarus Ambassador to the Republic of Korea on May 20, 2025. In an exclusive interview with the Diplomacy Journal, Amb. Chernetsky said, “The modern cultural life of Belarus is dynamic and diverse. The country hosts numerous art, music, theater exhibitions and film festivals. Belarus entertains its guests with a variety of events.” Noti
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) hosted the business event AIFC Connect in Seoul on May 21, 2025, aimed at strengthening commercial ties between Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea. The initiative also sought to foster new partnerships and encourage Korean entrepreneurs to engage in joint ventures through the AIFC platform. Nurgali Arystanov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Korea, delivered a welcoming speech in which he emphasized the high level of the expanded strategic partnership
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of Azerbaijan in Seoul hosted a reception to mark the 107th independence anniversary at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul on May 20, 2025. Delivering welcoming speech, Ambassador Ramin Hasanov of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Seoul said, “Azerbaijan's engagement and leadership have secured its strategic role at the cross between Europe and Asia. Azerbaijan has also undergone a successful political and economic growth, becoming a pivotal actor of international affairs. Azerbaijan also ended the long-lasted conflict with Armenia.” Noting that Azerbaijan