By Lee Kap-soo The following article on excerpts from the interview of the President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, with Egemen Qazaqstan newspaper, was contributed by the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Seoul to Diplomacy Journal. –Ed. “We will continue a constructive and balanced foreign policy, taking into account the national interests of the country. In 2024, our country will host a number of representative summits and forums. Kazakhstan will chair several authoritative international organizations at once, including the Shanghai Cooperation Organization, the Collective Security Treaty Org
By Lee Kap-soo Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) announced on Dec. 7 that Prof. Kim Jin-ah of the LD Department of the university has been appointed as a member of the UN Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters under the umbrella of UN Secretary-General António Guterres. The UN Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters, established by agreement of the UN General Assembly in 1978, consists of 15 ambassadors and civilian experts. Prof. Kim is the third South Korean and first civilian to be appointed to the member of the UN Advisory Board on Disarmament Matters. Beginning her term in January
By Kayla Lee The Future Minerals Forum's (FMF) Ministerial Roundtable, scheduled to take place on January 9, ahead of the third Forum, is expected to break records in terms of the number of participants, FMF has announced. As confirmed to date, more than 45 out of 80 countries will send ministerial representatives to participate in discussions with stakeholders at the meeting. In addition, 20 official international organizations, 30 non-governmental organizations, and 13 business associations will also participate. As the world's highest-level gathering on minerals, the Roundtable marks a hist
By Lee Jon-young The UN Security Council on Jan. 3 held its first open meeting on the continuing attacks by Houthi rebels in the Red Sea, which are becoming an increasing threat to global trade and the stability of the entire region as the intense fighting between Israel and Palestinian militants in Gaza continues, the UN News reported. At the meeting, UN Assistant Secretary-General Khaled Khiari said, “No cause or grievance could justify continuing Houthi attacks against freedom of navigation in the Red Sea. All incidents originating in Houthi controlled areas must stop.” He encouraged “all c
By Lee Kap-soo The following is the full-text of the New Year message delivered by UN Secretary-General António Guterres on Dec. 28, 2023. -- Ed. 2023 has been a year of enormous suffering, violence, and climate chaos. Humanity is in pain. Our planet is in peril. 2023 is the hottest year on record. People are getting crushed by growing poverty and hunger. Wars are growing in number and ferocity. And trust is in short supply. But pointing fingers and pointing guns lead nowhere. Humanity is strongest when we stand together. 2024 must be a year for rebuilding trust and restoring hope. We must com
By Lee Kap-soo The International Youth Fellowship (IYF), a non-governmental organization (NGO), announced on Jan. 3 that it will push for mind education for youth character development in Uganda, East Africa. IYF founder Rev. Park Ok-soo met with Ugandan President Yoweri Museveni in Kiruhura, Uganda, on Jan. 1 (local time) to exchange views on the introduction of mind education. Rev. Park introduced mind education from around the world and explained his plans to establish a mind education center, introduce mind education to public education in Uganda, and provide training for government offici
By Lee Kap-soo Pope Francis called for the end of military operations in Gaza and the release of Israelis being held hostage in the area in his annual Christmas message. In his annual Christmas Day “Urbi et Orbi” mass at the Vatican, Pope Francis called for an end “to war, to every war, to the very mindset of war, an aimless voyage, a defeat without victors, an inexcusable folly.” May peace “come in Israel and Palestine, where war is devastating the lives of those peoples,” he said. “My heart grieves for the victims of the abominable attack of October 7 last, and I reiterate my urgent appeal f
By Lee Kap-soo The UN General Assembly unanimously adopted the resolution initiated by Uzbekistan "Central Asia in the face of environmental challenges: strengthening regional solidarity for the sake of sustainable development and prosperity," reports a correspondent of the "Dunyo" information agency. The intergovernmental negotiation process to develop and agree on the text of the resolution took place over two months, namely in October-November at the UN headquarters in New York. Experts from countries from all continents of the world, including the USA, Russia, China, France, Great Britain,
By Lee Kap-soo (New Year Message) Dear readers of the Diplomacy Journal, I wish all readers of Diplomacy Journal all the best in the coming year 2024. The year 2023 was a very special year for us as it marked the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Switzerland. It was also the 70th anniversary of Switzerland's presence on the Korean Peninsula as a member of the Neutral Nations Supervisory Commission. Over the past six decades, our two countries have cultivated a solid partnership in politics, economics, science, technology, business, art and design. On th
By Lee Kap-soo | Amid ongoing bombardment in the Gaza Strip, UN agencies and humanitarian partners continue to provide desperately needed food, water, healthcare and other services to the more than two million people living there. This Thursday (Dec. 7) marks two months since conflict erupted after Hamas militants stormed southern Israel, killing some 1,200 people and seizing more than 200 hostages, prompting Israel to launch a massive military operation in Gaza. Martin Griffiths, UN Humanitarian Coordinator and head of its emergency relief office, OCHA, on Thursday upheld the commitment of ai
By Lee Kap-soo French Ambassador Philippe Bertoux and German Ambassador Georg Schmidt in Seoul commemorated the end of World War I by paying tribute to the victims. According to the French Embassy in Seoul on Nov. 10, Ambassadors Bertoux and Schmidt attended the 105th World War I Armistice Day ceremony at the War Memorial in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, and paid tribute to the victims. The event commemorates the 105th anniversary of the end of World War I the following day. Ambassador Bertoux said it was meaningful to co-host the ceremony with his German counterpart. "The deep friendship that links our
By Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Otabek Khasanov, First Deputy Director, Agency for the Development of Public Service under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to the Diplomacy Journal. –ED. We are living through the greatest technological transition since industrialization, with Artificial Intelligence and automation precipitating major transformations in the nature and experience of work. Structural transformation driven by technology raises concerns about the future of work among policymakers, as well as employers and employees. As technology advances, there
By Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Tanzila Narbaeva, Chairwoman of the Senate of the Oliy Majlis of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to the Diplomacy Journal. –ED. In recent years, the world has been troubled by unexpected threats, conflicting relations, environmental consequences, geopolitical conflicts and a crisis of mutual distrust. In such a complex period, issues of national statehood, territorial and regional security are becoming more serious. In this sense, it is plain as day how necessary it is to establish the spirit of understanding, tolerance, solidarity and trust
By Lee Kap-soo Since Samsung Electronics Home Appliances America (SEHA) planted roots in Newberry, South Carolina, Samsung has looked for ways to enhance the lives, experiences and opportunities for local military communities, working closely with organizations like the American Legion and the Freedom and Hope Foundation. For the last seven years, Samsung has hosted a Veterans Day Luncheon, providing hundreds of meals to veteran families. It’s become a cherished and honored tradition. “Every year, we look forward to this event to show our commitment and appreciation for those who gave so much,
By Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol held a summit with Irish Prime Minister Leo Varadkar at the Yongsan Presidential Office on November 3 and exchanged views on bilateral relations, ways to strengthen practical cooperation in various fields, and regional and international developments. The President said that as Ireland is a friendship country that shared the universal values of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law during the Korean War, it is significant that Prime Minister Varadkar is visiting Korea this year on the 40th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countrie