By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Kim Seok-ki, chairman of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, met with Ambassador Dumitru Socolan of Moldova to South Korea at the National Assembly on June 11 and exchanged opinions on the need to expand high-level exchanges to promote relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in various fields. Ambassador Socolan expressed his hope that the Moldovan Embassy in South Korea would be established, given that cooperation between the two countries has been strengthened in various field
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Ambassador of Kazakhstan, Nurgali Arystanov, held a meeting with Park Hong-keun, Chairman of the Korea–Kazakhstan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, at the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea on June 11, 2025. The two sides discussed a wide range of bilateral cooperation issues and reaffirmed their mutual interest in further deepening the expanded strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Korea. Ambassador Arystanov congratulated the interlocutor on the election of Lee Jae-myung as President of the Republic of Korea and expressed confidence that th
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, attended the Uzbekistan national football team match at the Bunyodkor Stadium on June 10, the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul said. The final World Cup qualifying stage game became a true celebration of Uzbek football. However, Uzbekistan players had already secured a place at the World Cup ahead of schedule: for the first time in history, the Uzbekistan national team will participate in the FIFA World Cup! A dream cherished for many years by millions of fans has become a reality. Previously, the t
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo A cultural program featuring Shashmaqom was held in Paris, France on June 11, 2025. This event was part of the celebration marking the 700th anniversary of Hafiz Shirazi, as well as the 50th anniversary of the Intergovernmental Hydrological Program, and the 60th anniversary of UNESCO Water Sciences. The program showcased performances by masters of Shashmaqom from Tajikistan. The event garnered significant attention from guests and forum participants alike. The performance of this unique, traditional musical heritage, which is inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo IBK (Industrial Bank of Korea) has signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Luxembourg Embassy in South Korea. IBK announced on June 11 that it has signed an MOU with the Luxembourg Embassy in South Korea to support the successful entry of IBK innovative startups into European markets and their local commercialization. Through this agreement, IBK and the Luxembourg Embassy plan to jointly operate a program for domestic startups to enter the European market in the second half of this year. The program will focus on supporting participating companies
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Kazakhstan presented its national stand at the "International Space Summit 2025,” held in Daejeon on June 3, which was dedicated to the latest achievements and prospects for the development of the global space industry. The event brought together representatives from governmental and private organizations, scientists, investors, and diplomats to discuss key directions in the development of space technologies and international cooperation. The Kazakh delegation included Ambassador of Kazakhstan Nurgali Arystanov, Chairman of the Board of JSC "NC Kazakhstan Ghary
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Highland Agriculture Research Institute (HARI) and the Peruvian Embassy in the Republic of Korea celebrated the International Potato Day on May 30, established in the United Nations General Assembly in 2023, at the Institute’s headquarters in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. A working visit was organized to HARI’s modern facilities, which has nearly 100 scientists and researchers dedicated to the study of seeds, viruses, diseases, crops and harvests of potatoes, as part of its mission to develop and distribute potato and high-income crop varieties; and develo
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee One year and four months after establishing formal diplomatic relations with South Korea, Cuba officially opened its embassy in Seoul on June 10, 2025. The Cuban Embassy in South Korea held an opening ceremony at its new office in Jung-gu, Seoul. The ceremony was attended by Claudio Raúl Monzon Baeza, Cuban Ambassador to South Korea; Lee Joo-il, Director of the Latin America Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and members of the Latin American diplomatic corps in South Korea. The event included a signboard hanging ceremony and a reception. In his congrat
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Chung Yong-ki, CEO of Korea District Heating Corporation (KDHC), held a meeting with Aida Ismailova, Kyrgyz Ambassador to South Korea, at KDHC's headquarters in Bundang on June 10, and discussed practical cooperation measures for introducing the “K-heating” model in Kyrgyzstan. The meeting was an opportunity to explore specific cooperation possibilities for modernizing the aging district heating system and improving energy efficiency in Kyrgyzstan. At the meeting, CEO Chung introduced KDHC's achievements in regional heating modernization projects in Uzbekistan,
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Lee Jae-myung's new administration has been launched with great momentum. In his inaugural address, Lee promised to be a government that protects the lives of the people, saying, “I will prioritize the livelihoods and economy of the people,” and clearly expressed his determination to unite the people by saying, “I will be the president of all the people.” This commitment can serve as a starting point for our society to come together again and paint a new hope for the future. Immediately after its launch, the new government will demonstrate its prese
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo From June 5 to 8, 2025, Almaty proudly represented Kazakhstan at one of Asia’s largest tourism exhibitions — the Seoul International Tourism Fair (SITF 2025) in Seoul. The booth of Kazakhstan’s southern capital drew significant attention from visitors and industry experts, and was ultimately awarded the honorary title of “The Best Booth Design of SITF 2025.” Visitors had the chance to experience the vibrant spirit of Kazakh culture and the essence of Almaty through a dynamic and interactive program, including: • Live performances of traditional Kazakh music by
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Lee Jae-myung spoke with Chinese President Xi Jinping by phone on June 10, 2025, China's state-run Xinhua news agency reported. Chinese President Xi Jinping emphasized a partnership for strategic cooperation during his first phone conversation with President Lee Jae-myung. This is the third time President Lee has held a phone conversation with a foreign leader since taking office, following conversations with US President Donald Trump on June 6 and Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba the day before. According to China's state-run Xinhua News Agen
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of Uzbekistan in Korea and the Uzbekistan Tourism Agency jointly held the “Uzbekistan-South Korea Tourism Forum” at the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul on June 9, 2025, inviting representatives from the South Korean travel industry. Delivering welcoming speech at the forum, Minister Counsellor Fazliddin Arziev of the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul said, “It is a great honor to welcome you to the Uzbekistan–Korea Tourism Forum - a meaningful platform that continues to strengthen the bonds of friendship and cooperation between our two nations.” Noting
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul met with Dr. Khaled El-Enany, former Minister of Tourism and Antiquities of the Arab Republic of Egypt, on May 30, 2025, during the latter’s visit to Korea. Minister Cho welcomed former Minister El-Enany’s visit to Korea and appraised growing cooperation between Korea and Egypt in various areas including culture and tourism, as the two countries celebrate the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations this year. Former Minister El-Enany emphasized the great potential for cooperation between Korea and Egypt. He also informed M
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Busan City Mayor Park Hyung-joon and Diego Manuel Villanueva Martinelli, Panamanian Ambassador to South Korea, met at the Busan City Hall to discuss ways to develop cooperative relations between Busan and Panama on June 8, 2025. On that day, Mayor Park emphasized his expectations for human exchange and cooperation in the marine and fisheries sectors between Busan and Panama City, which have established a friendship and cooperation agreement. He also introduced the “1st Global City Tourism Summit” and “Busan Global City Week” to be held in October and requested