By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Kevin Kim, Deputy Assistant Secretary of State for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, has been named as acting US ambassador to South Korea, the US Embassy in South Korea announced on October 27, 2025. "In South Korea, Chargé d'Affaires Kim will work with the Embassy staff and the Korean government to advance the mutual interests and shared values of our two countries and strengthen our unwavering commitment to the ROK-U.S. alliance," the U.S. embassy said on its X (formerly Twitter) account. Kevin Kim, a Korean-American, graduated from Johns Hopkins University an
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo People Power Party leader Jang Dong-hyuk met with British Ambassador to South Korea Colin Crooks and requested a strong condemnation of North Korea's ballistic missile launch on Oct. 28. During a meeting with British Ambassador Colin Crooks at the National Assembly, Jang stated, "Ahead of the Gyeongju APEC summit, North Korea has launched multiple ballistic missiles in violation of UN Security Council resolutions. I hope the Ambassador will also strongly condemn this." Regarding North Korea's deployment of troops to the Ukraine war and its strengthened cooperat
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Vice Minister Moon Shin-hak of the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) held the Korea–Saudi Vice-Ministerial Meeting on Industry with Abdullah bin Ali Al-Ahmari, Assistant Minister of Industry and Mineral Resources for Planning and Development of Saudi Arabia, at the Government Complex Seoul on October 27, to discuss ways to strengthen industrial cooperation between the two countries and Saudi Arabia’s support for Korean business projects underway in the Kingdom. The meeting was also significant as it reviewed progress on major industrial cooperat
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yun-cheol met with Executive Director of the Green Climate Fund (GCF) Mafalda Duarte at the Government Complex-Seoul on ct. 24 to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between Korea and the GCF. The Ministry of Economy and Finance emphasized the importance of establishing a virtuous cycle in which climate action serves as a driver of future growth. It introduced its Ultra-Innovative Economy and the AI Transformation initiatives, noting its ongoing efforts to foster such a virtuous cycle. The Ministr
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Eldor Tulyakov, Executive Director, Development Strategy Centre, Uzbekistan, to the Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. –Ed. On 24 October 2025, Uzbekistan and the European Union signed the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA)—a comprehensive framework that culminates negotiations launched in February 2019 and initialled in July 2022. More than a ceremonial milestone, the EPCA codifies a strategic upgrade in our relationship with the EU. It is broad in scope—nine
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo RM of 21st century pop icons BTS premiered a new global digital feature as part of its ongoing collaboration with Samsung Electronics and his continuing role as global ambassador for Samsung Art TVs. The short film, released during the week of Art Basel Paris (Oct. 24-26), offers an intimate look at RM’s personal connection to art and shows how Samsung Art TVs bring museum-quality visuals into everyday spaces. Building on his conversations from Art Basel in Basel 2025, where Samsung served as the Official Art TV Partner, RM shares how art can bring joy and mean
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo LG Electronics has invested in a partner-operated production facility in Bekasi, West Java, Indonesia, dedicated exclusively to manufacturing LG air conditioners. As part of the company’s strategic efforts to reinforce its Global South strategy, the new facility will enhance LG’s presence in Indonesia, help strengthen its supply chain and serve as a hub for air conditioning innovation. Coinciding with LG’s 35th anniversary in Indonesia, the Bekasi facility spans 32,000 square meters and commenced operation last month, starting with residential air conditioner p
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, AI Conf 2025, held on Oct. 25, 2025, successfully concluded in Dushanbe, solidifying Tajikistan's position as a key player in Central Asia’s technological and sustainable development. The event convened representatives from government, technology companies, international organizations, and venture capital funds. The conference served as a platform to underscore the country's strategic commitment to AI development, which is seen as crucial for achieving sustainable economic, social, and technological goals
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo SK Chairman Chey Tae-won and OpenAI CEO Sam Altman met at SK headquarters in Seoul on Oct. 1 to sign a Letter of Intent (LOI) and a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to develop an AI Data Center in South Korea as part of the Stargate project. Chairman Chey Tae-won stated, “We are honored to participate as a core partner in the Stargate project, aimed at building future global AI infrastructure. By leveraging SK’s integrated AI infrastructure capabilities from memory semiconductors to data centers, we will actively contribute to global AI infrastructure innovati
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo President Lee Jae-myung will fly to Malaysia on Oct. 26 to attend a regional summit of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN), marking his first visit to Southeast Asia since taking office in June, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said on Oct. 24. While attending the ASEAN summit, President Lee plans to discuss ways to enhance South Korea's Comprehensive Strategic Partnership with the 10-member bloc, said Wi. On Oct. 27, Lee will outline his vision for strengthening cooperation with the regional bloc during the ASEAN summit and then participate
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo H.E. Sukhbold Sukhee, Ambassador of Mongolia to the Republic of Korea, and embassy staff visited the Chungbuk National University headquarters and international exchange office on October 23. Amb. Sukhbold Sukhee and Chungbuk National University's Director of International Exchange Office Ok Kwang discussed management of Mongolian government-sponsored scholarship students and ways to enhance educational cooperation. This visit was arranged to strengthen the cooperative relationship between Chungbuk National University and the Mongolian government and to share t
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Peter van der Vliet, the Dutch Ambassador to Korea, and his delegation visited the headquarters of the Busan Port Authority (BPA) on October 22 to discuss mutual cooperation in port and logistics sectors. Both sides shared the status of existing cooperation and exchanged views on the potential for expanding future exchanges. After meeting with BPA President Song Sang-geun, the delegation boarded a port tour boat to observe the North Port area of Busan Port. According to BPA, Busan Port has maintained friendly relations with the Port of Rotterdam in the Netherla
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The fololowiung article was contributed by Obid Khakimov, Director of the Center for Economic Research and Reforms, to the Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. –Ed. In October, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, will pay a state visit to the Kingdom of Belgium, during which important decisions are expected to be made that will mark a qualitatively new stage in relations between Uzbekistan and the European Union. In particular, the visit will feature the signing of the Agreement on Enhanced P
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Global Culture Economy Link Association (GCEL), chaired by Kim Ji-young (Julia), successfully hosted the event “Global Students’ Culture Day with the Children of Sundukhome” on October 22 at the Embassy Residence of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) in Hannam-dong, Seoul. The event was organized in partnership with the Embassy of the United Arab Emirates in Seoul and began with a warm welcoming speech by H.E. Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi, the Ambassador of the UAE to the Republic of Korea, followed by remarks from GCEL Chairperson Kim Ji-young. Ambassador Al Nuaimi
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Hyundai Motor Company has achieved a record brand valuation of $24.6 billion and ranked 30th in the 2025 Interbrand Best Global Brands Rankings, the company said on Oct. 15. This marks 16 years of consecutive growth in brand value since 2010 and a 72 percent increase over the past five years. The company has been listed among the top 30 global brands for the second year in a row. Hyundai Motor’s rise in the rankings reflects its strong financial performance, strategic global expansion and continued investment in innovation. In 2024, the company posted record re