By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young Master Cheon Gong (real name Lee Cheon Gong) contributed an exclusive article in a conversation with Publisher Lee Jon-young of Diplomacy Journal about the leadership and vision of President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is facing impeachment, for the future of a free and prosperous Korea. – Ed. The following is the full text of his contribution. President Yoon Suk-yeol has had an extraordinary journey in the modern history of South Korea, practicing the values of principle and fairness, and has presented a vision of a nation centered on freedom and prosperity. A champi
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The year 2024 marks the next successful chapter in the history of the friendly and cooperative relationship between Azerbaijan and Korea. Our countries, which maintain full-fledged and multidimensional cooperation, eagerly continued also throughout this year their high-level political dialogue and work for strengthening their economic, humanitarian and cultural bonds as well as implemented a number of meaningful projects. 2024 has been also promising year for diversifying our bilateral collaboration by expanding exchanges and engagement in the future-oriented a
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee In honor of the upcoming New Year 2025, a special exhibition of Sehwa paintings that convey the meaning of the New Year will be held at the Insadong Museum of Korean Art. The exhibition is expected to be a meaningful occasion to ward off bad spirits and invite good fortune through Sehwa paintings that blend tradition and modernity. Exhibition Information Exhibition Period: January 1, 2025 (Wed.) ~ January 6, 2025 (Mon.) Venue: 2F, Insadong Museum of Korean Art, Seoul Award Ceremony: January 1, 2025 at 2:00 p.m. (Including wine party and gift presentation) Main fe
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee On January 1, 2025, a new history of Korean traditional arts will be written. At the New Year's Sehwa special exhibition held by the Korea Masters Association (Chairman Damwha Lee Jon-young), in the year of the snake, leather brush painter (Hyeokpil painter) Nam Sang-joon will be awarded a certificate of master and will receive a 200th scholarship of KRW 1,010,000 to commemorate his 101st birthday. This is a moment to honor his lifelong achievements and his dedication to the succession of traditional arts. Hyeokpil painter Nam's achievements and dedication From 1
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The 2024 Jongno-gu Saemaul Leadership Convention was held at 2:00 p.m. on Dec. 23 at the Civil Defense Training Center at the Wellis Center in Jongno-gu, with more than 300 participants. The convention was a meaningful occasion to recall the core values of the Saemaul movement and share a new vision for community development. Major events and awards The event was organized in a colorful sequence, including the entry of Saemaul and the opening declaration, introduction of guests, award presentation, congratulatory remarks, and congratulatory speeches. In particula
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon met with U.S. Ambassador to the Republic of Korea Philip Goldberg on Dec. 24 to reaffirm the unwavering partnership between South Korea and the United States. During the luncheon meeting, Governor Kim expressed his gratitude for Ambassador Goldberg's unwavering belief in and support for the resilience of Korean democracy despite the martial law and impeachment situation. The two reaffirmed the unwavering commitment of the U.S.-ROK alliance, including economic cooperation, including high-tech industrial exchanges, and ple
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee From January 1 to 6, 2025, a solo exhibition of seven artists invited by Korea Masters Association will be held on the second floor of the Korean Museum of Art in Insa-dong, Seoul. The exhibition will showcase each artist's original works on the theme of folk painting, and will bring a cultural touch to the beginning of the new year. The seven invited artists are Lee Mi-hyung, Kim Mi-jeong, Kim Sun-hee, Kim Young-joo, Oh Se-hee, Woo Hyun-jin, and Lee Yoon-jung, who will showcase their contemporary interpretations of the folk painting tradition with different phil
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo SK bioscience and Sanofi announced on Dec. 23 the signing of an expanded agreement to co-develop next-generation pneumococcal conjugate vaccines (PCVs) for both pediatric and adult populations, with the potential to provide broader protection than those currently licensed. This agreement builds on the companies’ existing collaboration to develop and commercialize the GBP410, a 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate pediatric vaccine candidate. Together, the companies aim to develop innovative next-generation PCVs beyond GBP410. At the same time, SK bioscience and San
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Incheon Mayor Yoo Jung-bok met with U.S. Pacific Command Commander Samuel Paparo on Dec. 20 and formally invited him to attend the 75th anniversary of the Incheon Battle D-Day commemoration, which Incheon will host as a national event next year. Mayor Yoo was the only city governor invited to attend the change of command ceremony for the commander of U.S. Forces Korea at Humphreys U.S. Army Base in Pyeongtaek at 2 p.m., where he presented an official invitation to U.S. Pacific Commander Samuel Paparo, who presided over the ceremony to attend next year's commemo
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo U.S. Ambassador to Korea Philip Goldberg, who will leave Seoul next January, said, “I'm going home with very fond memories of Seoul,” adding, “It's true that there has been uncertainty in Seoul over the past two weeks, but what we can be sure of is the strong U.S.-Korea alliance.” Goldberg made the remarks at Seoul City Hall on Dec. 26, where he received an honorary citizenship certificate from Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon. Goldberg, who was appointed U.S. ambassador to South Korea in July 2022, will leave Seoul next January when he retires. “I am so pleased to recei
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “We hope to strengthen cooperation with South Korea to promote peace and stability in the region and mutually support the successful hosting of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) meetings,” new Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing said on Dec. 27. The post has been vacant for nearly six months after former ambassador Xing Haiming stepped down in July. “While upholding the international free trade system, I hope to create a favorable environment and conditions for the common development of our two countries and the solidarity and cooperation of t
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young As stated in Article 71 of the Constitution and Article 16 of the Government Organization Act, the prime minister assumes the presidency in situations where the president is removed from office or unable to perform his or her duties. This is an essential system to ensure the continuity of state operations. The acting president temporarily assumes the powers and duties of the president, but is not technically the president. The word “acting” makes this clear. However, beyond the temporary nature of the position, the acting president is the de facto president,
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo POSCO Holdings has joined forces with Hancock Prospecting, an Australian mining company, to strengthen the supply chain for lithium used in Rechargeable battery materials. POSCO Holdings and Hancock Prospecting formalized their collaboration by signing a business agreement on lithium cooperation on Dec. 9. The signing ceremony was conducted via video conference between Korea and Australia, with attendance from POSCO Holdings’ Jun-hyung Kim, Head of Rechargeable Battery Materials (Senior Executive Vice President), and Garry Korte, CEO of Hancock Prospecting, amo