Arts-Culture
-
Arts-Culture 2026 Sanjo Festival Opens April 2 at Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater
On March 13, the Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater (KOR, ENG) announced its flagship brand performance, the "2026 Sanjo Festival." Built in 2016, exclusively for gugak (traditional Korean music performances), the theater takes its name from the gate of Seoul's Changdeokgung Palace, which it faces. The Sanjo Festival will run for three weeks, starting April 2. Launched in 2021 and held annually since, the Sanjo Festival has intensely spotlighted the depth and aesthetics of sanjo. While sanjo is rooted in the same deep well of Korean folk and shamanistic tradition as pansori, it differs in fun
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-03-13 11:59
-
Arts-Culture Design as a Dance: Italy Brings Its 10th Design Day to Seoul
Diplomacy Journal David Kendall 기자 | On March 10, the Embassy of Italy in Seoul hosted the "10th Italian Design Day RE-DESIGN: The Regeneration of Space, Objects, Thought, and Relationships" at High Street Italia (HSI), the Italian Trade Agency (ITA)’s flagship showplace built on Gangnam’s famed Garosu-gil to promote products made in Italy. Architect, designer and artist Michele De Lucchi was chosen to serve as the designated “Italian Design Day Ambassador.” The recipient of numerous awards and honors in both Europe and Asia, Mr. De Lucchi is a founding member of Milan-based AMDL CIRCLE, a cre
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-03-11 16:41
-
Arts-Culture Korea's First Women's Prison Story: True-Crime Drama '47 Years, 7 Months' Set for Release
Diplomacy Journal Lee Jeong-ha 기자 | A women's human rights film based on a true story — "47 Years, 7 Months: A Female Professor's Outing" — has made its public debut through a production showcase, with a formal audience release now announced. Director Han Myeong-gu's film held its production showcase on June 30 of last year at the Korea House folk theater in Jung-gu, Seoul, where the director officially introduced the film's production background and its core message. The film traces the tragic life of a woman who, after suffering sexual violence within the family during childhood, found herse
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-03-11 10:08
-
Arts-Culture Reawakening History: Choe Nam-ju and the Wolseong Goguryeo Monument
Choe Chong-dae | The inscription on the Goguryeo-related monument unearthed at the Wolseong royal palace site in Gyeongju has recovered crucial, long-forgotten data, significantly reshaping our understanding of ancient Korean history. While archaeological excavations frequently reveal physical remains, surviving stone inscriptions remain rare. These monuments are invaluable; they anchor historical narratives to primary evidence, allowing us to determine chronologies and political relationships with newfound precision. In early 2026, the Korean archaeological community reached a landmark moment
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-03-09 10:03
-
Arts-Culture 2026 Seoul International Sculpture Festa Moves to Exhibition in National Assembly Complex
From March 3 to March 6, the sculpture exhibition “Art is Industry – K-Art Where the People and the National Assembly Meet” will be held on the 2nd floor of the National Assembly Members' Office Building. Organized by the Korea Sculptors Association (KSA), this exhibition is the first official initiative to extend the achievements and discourse of the 2026 Seoul International Sculpture Festa to the National Assembly. Notably, National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-shik will personally attend, delivering a congratulatory address to honor the occasion and convey messages of encouragement for the adva
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-03-03 15:04
-
Arts-Culture Where Tradition and Modernity Meet: The 2026 Korea Masters Invitational Exhibition Opens in Insadong
Diplomacy Journal David Kendall | On February 25 at 2:30 p.m., the 2026 Korea Masters Invitational Exhibition officially kicked off in Insadong with an awards ceremony and Hanbok fashion show. "A place where tradition and modernity, recorded history and personal memories meet," is how Chairman of the Organizing Committee Lee Jon-young described the exhibition. Lee is also publisher of Diplomacy Journal. This description is particularly fitting for the works of calligrapher and painter Yoo Hyeon Byeong. Three distinct series by Yoo are presented in this exhibition. His ho (號)—artistic sobriquet
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-02-27 15:03
-
Arts-Culture The Lee Kun-hee Collection, which introduced Korean art to the world, has led to an elevation of national prestige.
Diplomacy Journal shJung | The "Lee Kun-hee (KH) Collection," born from a donation by the late Samsung Chairman Lee Kun-hee, has successfully completed its first overseas tour, impressing the world with the prestige of Korean art and culture. Samsung held a gala dinner on the 28th (local time) at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Arts and Industry in Washington, D.C., ahead of the exhibition's closing. "Collecting, Cherishing, and Sharing Treasures of Korea," currently on display at the Smithsonian's National Museum of Asian Art (NMAA), is co-hosted by the National Museum of Korea and the N
- shJung 기자
- 2026-01-30 23:00
-
Arts-Culture Cultural Diplomacy in Practice: Enduring Ties Between Korea and Thailand
Choe Choong-dae | My particular interest in Thailand stems from fond memories of two remarkable Thai figures: Major General Chote Klongvicha, former Thai Ambassador to Korea, and Colonel Akaphol Somloop, a former Thai Defense Attaché at the Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul who later became Chief of Staff of the Royal Thai Armed Forces. Both men were stationed in Korea from the late 1960s to the early 1970s and were close friends of my family. I was just entering university when we met. Through their lives and service, I came to understand diplomacy not merely as statecraft, but as a profoundly huma
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-01-30 09:46
-
Arts-Culture U.S. Embassy Kicks Off Events Commemorating 250th Anniversary of American Independence
The U.S. Embassy in Korea commemorated the 250th anniversary of American independence during an event designed to reflect on the history and values of the ROK-U.S. alliance and present a vision for the future of bilateral relations through cultural exchange. While the focus was on art, the importance that diplomacy, security, and trade play in maintaining the strategic ROK-U.S. alliance was also on display. The U.S. Embassy in Korea hosted the "Freedom of Expression: Freedom250 Korea-U.S. Creative Dialogue" event in Seoul on January 28 at the Seongbuk-dong residence of U.S. Chargé d'Affaires J
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-01-29 14:39
-
Arts-Culture At 103, Master Calligrapher Nam Sang-jun Refuses to Put Down His Brush
Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young | When someone wakes up at age 103, the day is normally a quiet one. A quiet day can still be productive; one such centenarian routinely reaches for a writing brush. Born in 1923, Master Nam Sang-jun has lived as a hyeokpil (leather brush) calligrapher for over 60 years since studying under Master Dong Ji-seong in 1961. The hyeokpil held in his fingertips is not limited to Hangeul. It embraces Chinese characters and even extends to the Roman letters of English. He teaches his disciples not just how to wield a leather brush when writing art, but also how to make
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-01-28 15:50
-
Arts-Culture The Stage for Winter Paralympic Sports, The 23rd National Paralympic Winter Games Open
Diplomacy Journal shJung | The Paralympic Winter Games, where athletes with disabilities can compete for their dreams and skills, will be held in Gangwon Province. This Paralympic Winter Games is sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, organized by the Korea Paralympic Committee, and hosted by the Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province. It will run from January 27th to 30th. A total of 1,127 athletes from 17 cities and provinces will compete in seven sports. Cross-country skiing, biathlon, alpine skiing, and snowboarding events will be held at the Pyeongchang Alpensia Biathl
- shJung 기자
- 2026-01-26 18:10
-
Arts-Culture DMG Patents “K-minhwa” and “K-graphy” to Identify and Protect Korea’s Intellectual Property
Diplomacy Journal David Kendall | On January 23, 2026, Damhwa Media Group, parent company of Diplomacy Journal, filed patent applications with the Korean Intellectual Property Office for the brands "K-minhwa" and "K-graphy." Beyond simple trademark protection, the filing represents the first official branding of uniquely Korean art and brush cultures. "K-minhwa" and "K-graphy" are already the mastheads of Damhwa publications and organizations as well as terms that have entered cultural discourse. The patent registration, however, is not merely about protecting media titles. The core message is
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-01-26 15:52
-
Arts-Culture Damhwapungwol (曇華風月): ‘A Heart That Knows Shame Protects the World’
Lee Jon-young | Before ever speaking of enlightenment, Buddha taught the power to reflect on one's own mind. Today in Korea, we call that power su-o-ji-sim (羞惡之心), having a conscience and sense of shame. Su-o-ji-sim means the ability to be ashamed of one's own mistakes and to face the mistakes of others—not with a sense of anger but a desire to rectify. Mencius said: "A person lacking su-o-ji-sim is not truly human." He was not calling for a strict moral code but merely warning that a society whose conscience is fading will hasten its own collapse. Looking at society today, one can see the sen
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-01-22 15:09
-
Arts-Culture India Stack – The Indian Approach and Experience
Ambassador Debnath Shaw | What is the India Stack? It is a collection of open Application Programming Interface (APIs) and Digital Public Goods forming India’s foundational digital infrastructure. Its components collectively enable various entities, including governments, businesses and individuals to interact and conduct transactions digitally. The India Stack components like Aadhaar (identity), UPI (payments), DigiLocker (documents), e-Sign (digital signature), e-KYC (know your customer), DBT (direct benefit transfer), Ayushman Bharat Digital Mission (healthcare), etc, enable citizens, busin
- David Kendall 기자
- 2026-01-22 12:47
-
Arts-Culture K-Graphy Brand Manifesto
Diplomacy Journal shJung | The first letter, "K," is the national flag, "K" is not a letter of the alphabet. "K" is the accumulation of time that is Korea, a symbol condensed with the breath of history, spirit, and craftsmanship. "K" is no longer an adjective. "K" is the center, the starting point, the face of Korea facing the world. We put "K" first because it is not a matter of pride, but of responsibility. Graphy is language. Graphy is not the act of writing. Graphy is the way thought is expressed through lines. Lines before letters, shapes before words, the oldest language in which human t
- shJung 기자
- 2026-01-19 13:50
-
1
Korea's First Women's Prison Story: True-Crime Drama '47 Years, 7 Months' Set for Release
-
2
Reawakening History: Choe Nam-ju and the Wolseong Goguryeo Monument
-
3
[LIVE] Where Tradition and Modernity Meet: The 2026 Korea Masters Invitational Exhibition Opens in Insadong
-
4
Design as a Dance: Italy Brings Its 10th Design Day to Seoul
-
5
President Lee Chairs Crisis Summit on Oil Prices, Vows 100-Trillion-Won Market Backstop
-
6
13th International e-Mobility Expo in Jeju to Award Global Leaders
-
2026-03-13 11:59
2026 Sanjo Festival Opens April 2 at Seoul Donhwamun Traditional Theater
-
2026-03-12 18:42
A New Constitutional Model for Kazakhstan’s Future
-
2026-03-12 09:26
First Lady Kim Hye Kyung Champions Education and Global Solidarity on World Women's Day
-
2026-03-11 17:11
Korea's Foreign Minister Holds Emergency Calls with Gulf Counterparts Amid Iranian Attacks on GCC States
-
2026-03-11 16:41
Design as a Dance: Italy Brings Its 10th Design Day to Seoul
Address: Doosan We've Pavilion 1203, Sambong-ro 81, Jongno-gu, Seoul
Date of first registration: Founded in 1996 as UN News, changed its name to The Diplomatic Journal in 2009
Registration No.: Jongno Ra00125/ Registration Date: 2009-04-14/ Registration Number: Seoul 아54606 / Registration Date: Dec. 13, 2022
Publisher: Damwha Media Group Chairman Lee Jon-young
Editor in Chief: Lee Jon-young/ Vice Chairman: Chung Bo-won/ Standing Advisor Lee Keon-chan / Senior Editorial Writer Ko Jae-hwe / Editorial Writer Lee Se-hoon / Cultural Editor Lee Joon-seok/ Political Editor Lim Han-choong/ U.S. Branch Head Kim Joon-bae/ Business Editor Kayla Lee
Phone number: 02-3417-1010 | 02-396-5757
E-Mail: djournal3417@gmail.com
UPDATE: 2026년 03월 13일 11시 59분