By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a meeting of economic officers from all Korean diplomatic missions in the United States on October 2, chaired by Director-General for Bilateral Economic Affairs Kim Sun-young. The meeting was convened to discuss ways to address visa-related difficulties faced by Korean companies and to strengthen coordinated cooperation between the Ministry and its overseas missions, with the overarching aim of ensuring a stable investment environment in the United States. Notably, the meeting followed the inaugural session of the Korea–U.S. B
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will hold the 14th Workshop for Overseas Honorary Consuls of the Republic of Korea from September 15 to September 20. Launched in 2010, this Workshop aims so that they can provide more effective support in protecting overseas Koreans and in promoting Korea’s diplomatic activities. This year’s Workshop, the 14th of its kind, will bring together honorary consuls from 12 countries. This six-day event will kick off with a welcome reception, followed by a seminar to share best practices, special lectures on Korea’s economy and se
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) held the first meeting of the "Task Force for Reforming System and Bolstering Role of KOICA" on September 2 with the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), and discussed the operational plan and direction for institutional reform. In her opening remarks, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Jina said that the new government is planning qualitative improvements to the grant aid system to promote international development cooperation that is tangibly felt by the people of both developing countries and our own country.
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The Ministry of Foreign Affairs hosted the International Conference on Artificial Intelligence (AI) and Climate Change in Seoul on July 1, 2025. It was organized by the Korea Institute of Energy Research and supported by the Seoul Center for Creative Economy & Innovation, the Korea Startup Accelerator and Early Stage Investors Association, and the Chungnam Content Agency. As AI technologies play an increasingly significant role in addressing climate change and accelerating the energy transition, this conference brought together over 450 participants—including
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Kang In-sun, the Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, hosted a tour of Korea’s leading defense industry facilities for the foreign diplomatic corps in Korea from April 2 to 3, inviting diplomats from 15 countries to observe Korea’s advanced defense manufacturing capabilities. During the two-day event, the delegation visited major defense production sites including: - Hyundai Rotem in Changwon, a manufacturer of K2 tanks, - Hanwha Aerospace in Changwon, a manufacturer of K9 self-propelled howitzers, and - Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) in S
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul (Co-head of the Preparatory Office for APEC 2025), Gyeongsangbuk-do Province Governor Lee Cheol-woo, and Gyeongju City Mayor Joo Nak-young signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) among the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Gyeongsangbuk-do Province and Gyeongju City for cooperation on preparation for the 2025 APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting (2025 AELM) on January 22, 2025, at the Government Complex Seoul Annex. By signing the MOU, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the provincial and municipal governments hosting the 2025 AEL
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), in collaboration with the International Tribunal for the Law of the Sea (ITLOS) and the Korean Society of International Law, hosted the Ninth International Conference on the Law of the Sea in Seoul from November 19 to 20, under the theme “30 Years of UNCLOS (United Nations Convention on the Law of the Sea): Then, Now, and the Future.” At the opening ceremony of this year’s conference, welcoming remarks was delivered by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kang Insun, followed by opening remarks by President of the Korean Societ
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo | South Korea's Foreign Ministry reportedly summoned Russian Ambassador to South Korea Georgy Zinoviev on Oct. 21 in protest over North Korea's deployment of its soldiers to fight Russia's war in Ukraine. First Vice Foreign Minister Kim Hong-gyun reportedly summoned Ambassador Zinoviev to the Foreign Ministry building in Seoul around noon to convey the South Korean government's concerns and protest over North Korea's deployment of its special forces to fight Russia's war in Ukraine, which was announced by the National Intelligence Service on Oct. 18. The Nation