By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young On December 3, 2024, South Korean President Yoon Suk-yeol's declaration of emergency martial law was a political self-inflicted measure. Despite the extreme measure of martial law, the National Assembly responded immediately to defend democracy. But this is not just a simple happening. It is time to soberly analyze the intentions of Yoon's government that shook the constitutional order and democracy. Martial law, an impractical gamble, and a shaky legitimacy President Yoon declared emergency martial law in the name of “protecting constitutional order,” but it
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young A world leader is like a high pillar that supports the lives of countless people. If this pillar decays or collapses, those who lean on it will be lost and confused. The most important virtue for a leader to possess is Bulgijasim 不欺自心 (Don't deceive yourself), or a mind that does not deceive oneself. In the world of politics and power, this teaching is more desperate. Bulgijasim 不欺自心 (Don't deceive yourself) Politicians are supposed to lead the world by gathering the will and hearts of the people. But if they deceive their own conscience and are blinded by se
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young Kim Dong-hyun, Commissioner of Daegu Regional Correctional Service, was awarded the Hongjogeunjeong Medal of Honor at the 79th Anniversary of Corrections Day ceremony hosted by the Ministry of Justice. The ceremony was held at 2 p.m. on Oct. 28 at the Gwacheon Civic Center Grand Theater in Gwacheon, Gyeonggi-do, in the presence of Minister of Justice Park Sung-jae, Shin Yong-hae, Commissioner General of Korea Correctional Service, Chairman Jang Jong-sun of the Correctional Mutual Aid Association, and more than 600 correctional officials. Kim has spent 26 year
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young Nothing we experience in the world happens without meaning, and the current situation in North Korea is no exception. North Korea may seem sad and pitiful when viewed fragmentarily, but when viewed in the context of human history, the future, and the entire Korean Peninsula, it takes on a different meaning. Right now, North Korea is pushed to the brink in order to survive. North Korea is in a position where she has to make any choice to survive, and this desperation has forced the country to cooperate with Russia. This is because Russia is the only country th
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young Ha Hyung-joo (62), a 1984 Los Angeles Olympic gold medalist and Korean judo legend, has been appointed as the 14th chairman of the Korea Sports Promotion Foundation (KSPO). Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Yoo In-chon handed over the letter of appointment to Ha at a conference room at the Seoul Pavilion of the National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Jongno-gu, Seoul, on Nov. 18. Ha is the first former Olympian to hold the position and will serve a three-year term from Nov. 18, 2024, to Nov. 17, 2027. Appointed by the President at the recommendat
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Democratic Party of Korea leader Lee Jae-myung has been sentenced to one year in prison and two years of probation and disqualified from holding office in the first trial for violating the Public Offices Election Act. The Seoul Central District Court's Criminal Division 34 (Deputy Chief Judge Han Sung-jin) sentenced Lee to one year in prison and two years of probation on Dec. 15. If the ruling is confirmed by the Supreme Court, Lee will lose his seat in the National Assembly and will be barred from voting for five years, making it impossible for him to run for
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The Daegu Detention Center (Director Kim Young-gwang) held a donation ceremony for 15 artworks from the World Peace Art Exhibition Organizing Committee (Chairman Lee Jon-young) on Nov. 11. The event was held in response to a proposal by the World Peace Art Exhibition Organizing Committee to donate artworks to help inmates' psychological stability and correctional edification. “I hope that the donated artworks will provide a small comfort and sanctuary for those who are living in prison,” said Chairman Lee at the donation ceremony. He said he decided to make the d
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee This is an impressive piece of writing that uses symbolic language implying the possibility of Trump winning the U.S. presidential election. It is not just a political debate, but a reflection and prediction of how a figure with great power, like a Yellow Dragon, will lead the era in the flow of history. In the 2024 U.S. presidential election, former President Donald Trump once again defied the world’s expectations by winning. Many media outlets reported that he was at a disadvantage in a tight race against Democratic candidate Kamala Harris, but Trump managed to
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol visited Beomeosa Temple in Geumjeong-gu, Busan on Oct. 22, 2024. Beomeosa Temple is said to be one of the three major temples in Yeongnam, along with Hapcheon Haeinsa Temple and Yangsan Tongdosa Temple, and is a Korean popular temple that has nurtured many highly virtuous monks, including Euisangdaesa, Wonhyodaesa, and Manhae Han Yong-woon. It served the country as a field hospital during the Korean War and was designated as a national memorial facility in 2023 along with Tongdosa Temple. This is only the second time a sitting presiden
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol presided over a ceremony marking the 76th anniversary of the ROK Armed Forces Day at Seoul International Airport on Oct. 1. About 5,300 troops and 340 pieces of equipment participated in the ceremony, which began with the national anthem, followed by the presentation of the Strategic Command's unit flag, a feverish military ceremony, the presentation of medals and commendations, and a commemorative speech. President Yoon presented the unit flag of the newly created Strategic Command to Strategic Command General Jin Young-seung, express
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young | The Jeju Special Self-Governing Province is further strengthening its ties with China, ushering in a new era of cooperation. Governor Oh Young-hoon met with Chen Jianjun (50), the new Consul General of the People's Republic of China in Jeju, during his visit to the Jeju Provincial Government on Sept. 13. “Jeju and China have maintained close ties in various fields, including international exchanges, cultural tourism, and student exchanges,” said Governor Oh. ‘We hope to expand cooperation in high-tech industries such as renewable energy, electric vehicles,
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol attended the Cyber Summit Korea (CSK) 2024, an international cybersecurity event, at COEX in Seoul on Sept. 11, encouraging government officials and business and academic experts from around the world. The event, which is being held for the first time this year, is co-hosted by the National Intelligence Service and the National Security Technology Institute and will continue until Sept. 12, and will discuss various cybersecurity issues, including how to cooperate with the international community against cyber threats, under the theme o
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Prime Minister Han Duck-soo hosted an inter-ministerial meeting to review the progress in preparations and relevant future plans for the 2025 Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting (AELM) on August 30, 2024, at the Government Complex Seoul. The meeting was convened after Gyeongsangbuk-do Gyeongju’s selection as the host city for the AELM on June 27, 2024. The attendees included the Minister of the Office for Government Policy Coordination, the First Vice Minister of Economy and Finance, the Second Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs, the
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul met with three newly appointed members of the APEC Business Advisory Council (ABAC) -- Vice Chairman Cho Hyun-sang of HS Hyosung, Vice Chairman Lee Kyu-ho of Kolon, and CEO Lee Ju-wan of Megazone Cloud -- on August 26. During the meeting, they exchanged views on the significance of Korea’s role as the chair of 2025 APEC as well as the activities of entrepreneurs within APEC. The Minister requested their full support to ensure the successful hosting of 2025 APEC. Minister Cho emphasized that Korea’s role as chair of APEC nex
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young The 12th International e-Mobility Expo will be held at Jeju Shinhwa World for four days from April 8 next year. The International e-Mobility Expo announced on Aug. 26 that the 12th International e-Mobility Expo Organizing Committee held a launching ceremony at Sejong Law Firm's conference room to hold the event from April 8 to 11, 2025 at Jeju Shinhwa World. At the launching ceremony, Jeju Special Self-Governing Province Governor Oh Young-hoon was appointed as the honorary chairman of the event, Silicon Valley Chairman Ossama R. Hassanein was appointed as the