By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo During the International Forum on Important Minerals (INFOCM 2025) held in Seoul, Republic of Korea, which commenced on May 12-13, 2025, the geological authorities of Tajikistan and Korea formalized a collaborative partnership. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Main Department of Geology under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, represented by its Head, Ilhomjon Oimuhammadzoda, and the Korean Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, represented by its President, Dr. Pyeong Ku Lee. This MOU establishes a framework for co
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Ahliddin Ibodullozoda, Rector of the Tajik State Pedagogical University named after Sadriddin Ayni and a representative of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan, held a meeting with Yang O-Bong, President of Jeonbuk National University of the Republic of Korea, on May 14, 2025 as part of a working visit to South Korea. During the meeting, the parties discussed expanding cooperation in areas such as academic exchange of students and faculty, organizing joint conferences, inviting professors to deliver lectures, sharing scientific an
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young St. Lazarus Village will hold its 38th Charity Concert, “In Your Presence,” on June 11 at the Seongnam Arts Center Opera House. This will be the first time in six years that the charity concert has been held since the 37th charity concert in 2019, which was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. 'In Your Presence' began in 1975 with the voluntary participation of celebrities to help people with Hansen's disease in Korea and abroad. The subtitle of the charity concert, which commemorates the Universal Church's regular jubilee and the 75th anniversary of the fo
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Dr. Mohammed Mustafa Juma Almuntafeky, Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Seoul, to Diplomacy Journal for publication. –Ed. The Iraqi economy has witnessed significant and remarkable improvements over the past few years. According to the latest international economic indicators, Iraq has entered a new phase of recovery and growth, amid significant transformations that reflect a tangible improvement in economic performance and enhance confidence in the national economy among local and international
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) has appointed Indian actress Hina Khan as an honorary ambassador for Korean tourism, the KTO said on May 12. Hina Khan is beloved as a “national actor” in India for her role in the popular drama “What Kind of Relationship Do We Have?” which has aired for the longest time in India. Hina Khan, who is visiting Korea for the first time, will stay in Korea until May 13 and enjoy the diverse charms of Korea. She visited Bukchon Hanok Village, the filming location of the popular Korean drama in India, “Goblin,” the stone walls of Deo
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo | The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) signed a tripartite Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with General Motors Korea (GM Korea) and the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) on May 8 to jointly promote the “Buy America” campaign. The agreement builds on a strong foundation of collaboration among the three organizations to further expand the campaign’s impact. This agreement is designed to foster a fair business environment and improve consumer access to GM vehicles in Korea through mutual cooperation. It also supports the broader objecti
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Jeju Special Self-Governing Province will further expand its exchange and cooperation with APEC member economies on the occasion of the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Education Ministers' Meeting in Jeju. On May 13, Jeju Governor Oh Young-hoon met with the senior delegations of Indonesia, Malaysia, and the United States attending the APEC Education Ministers' Meeting at the Jeju International Convention Center (ICC) to discuss global location programs and ways to expand human and cultural exchanges. In a meeting with Abdul Muti, Indonesia's Ministe
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) and the Embassy of the Republic of Uzbekistan in Korea co-hosted the Korea-Uzbekistan Insight Forum at the Embassy in Seoul on May 13. The forum was held with the participation of both countries’ governments and related institutions, aiming to further enhance Korea-Uzbekistan economic cooperation. Forum participants shared the growing need for mutual cooperation between the two countries in view of their special strategic partnership, highlighting the importance of tangible cooperation in not only trade and inv
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Governor Oh Young-hoon of Jeju Special Self-Governing Province held a meeting with Ben Nelson, founder of Minerva University, a world-class innovative education institution in the U.S., at the Buyeong Hotel on May 12, and held in-depth discussions on future educational cooperation. During the meeting, Governor Oh said, “I hope that a cooperation model with Minerva University will be established in the fields of carbon neutrality, energy transition policy in 2035, and private space industry, which Jeju Island is promoting.” “In these fields, Jeju University has hu
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo HL Group Chairman Chung Mong-won has been named an honorary citizen of the city of Wałbrzych, Poland. According to HL Group, Chairman Chung became the 15th honorary citizen of the city of Wałbrzych, on April 29 (local time). He was recognized for his 14 years of contributions to the community since opening the HL-Mando auto parts plant in the city in 2011. HL MANDO Poland is the only Korean company in the city of Wałbrzych. The combined size of factories 1 and 2 is approximately 165,000 square meters, producing automotive parts such as brakes, steering, and sus
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held the launching ceremony for the 2025 「Forum for East Asia-Latin America Cooperation (FEALAC) Young Leaders」on May 9 at the ministry’s Mofamaru Hall in Seoul. FEALAC, composed of 36 member countries, is an inter-regional multilateral forum launched in 1999 with the aim of promoting better understanding between East Asia and Latin America. Korea has played an active role by hosting and operating the FEALAC Cyber Secretariat since 2011 and leading the establishment of the FEALAC Cooperation Fund. Now in its 7th term, the FEALAC Yo
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Korea-Saudi Business and Investment Forum was launched on May 9 in Seoul. The forum is anticipated to catalyze economic cooperation between the two countries across new and cutting-edge areas like digital, advanced manufacturing, clean energy, healthcare, and culture, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) said. Part of an aim to strengthen Korea-Saudi partnership in line with the Saudi Vision 2030, the forum brings together 250 business leaders of both countries to seek collaboration and tangible opportunities around promising new industries such a
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Kim Min-jong, president of Korea Institute of Maritime and Fisheries Technology (KIMFT), met with Chilean Ambassador to Korea Mathias Francke at the KIMFT office in Busan in April. They discussed cooperation in the field of maritime education and training and sign a business agreement, the KIMFT announced on May 13. The visit was aimed at signing a business agreement between the KIMFT and the Chilean Ministry of Defense for continued cooperation in the field of maritime education and training, including mutual cooperation in lectures and training activities, in
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul visited on May 8 a special exhibition on the Tongsinsa (delegation from the Joseon Dynasty to Japan), which is under way at the Seoul Museum of History under the theme “Bonds of the Heart, Waves of Resonance.” The exhibition, which is being held in cooperation between Korean and Japanese museums to commemorate the 60th anniversary of the normalization of diplomatic relations between the two countries, features 128 artifacts related to the Tongsinsa. As such, it serves as an opportunity to look back on the footsteps of the T
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young Jeju Island hosted an international conference on creating a sustainable labor market and quality jobs in the Asia-Pacific region. The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province announced on May 12 that the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Employment and Labor Ministers' Meeting was held at the Jeju International Convention Center (ICC) Tamra Hall under the theme of “Sustainable Labor Markets and Jobs for the Future. More than 200 people attended the meeting, including Jeju Island Governor Oh Young-hoon, Deputy Minister of Employment and Labor Kim Min-