Diplomacy Journal Lee Sung Jun | The legacy of the Seoul Olympic Games is expanding beyond a mere record of the past into a living platform that connects present diplomacy with future cultural exchange. The Korea Sports Promotion Foundation for the Seoul Olympics (Chairman Ha Hyung-joo) invited Ambassador Emilia Gatto of Italy in Seoul to host the ‘Seoul Olympic Sculpture Park Tour Program,’ showcasing a new model of cultural diplomacy that combines sports and art. Held on April 28 in the area around Seoul Olympic Park, this program was attended by officials from the Korea Sports Promotion Fou
Diplomacy Journal Lee Sung Jun | President Lee Jae-myung met with Demis Hassabis, co-founder and CEO of Google DeepMind, at 3 p.m. on April 27th this year. During the meeting, they engaged in an in-depth discussion regarding the recent rapid advancements in AI technology, future directions of change, responsible AI utilization, and global cooperation strategies. CEO Hassabis is a world-renowned scholar who oversaw the historic "AlphaGo" match against Go grandmaster Lee Se-dol in 2016 and was awarded the 2024 Nobel Prize in Chemistry for his development of "AlphaFold," an AI model for predictin
Diplomacy Journal Lee Sung Jun | The ‘K-Seoul International Singer Festival & Global Top Leader Awards Presentation Ceremony,’ a convergence-type global festival where music, culture, cutting-edge technology, and leadership coexist, was successfully held on the 23rd at the Seocho Arts Center in Seoul, attended by distinguished guests from both Korea and abroad. Serving as a platform for exchange that eliminates industry boundaries and strengthens global networks, the event featured high-quality performances by artists from over 30 countries of the world, as well as an awards-presentation c
Diplomacy Journal Lee Sung Jun | A declaration of peace embodied in the handwritten calligraphy of Dharma King Ilbung Seo Gyeong-bo In 1992, an event occurred that marked a significant turning point in the history of world Buddhism. It was the proclamation of the “International Buddhist Peace Day.” This is regarded as a historical event that went beyond the mere declaration of a commemorative day; it was an official declaration of the Buddhist spirit of peace toward humanity amidst division and conflict, and it presented “peace” as a shared value of humanity transcending religion. In particula
Diplomacy Journal Lee Sung Jun | President Lee Jae-myung conducted an official state visit to the Socialist Republic of Vietnam from April 22 to 23, 2025. On April 22, he held a summit meeting with General Secretary To Lam of the Communist Party of Vietnam — who concurrently serves as President and stands as the country's highest-ranking leader. The meeting took place at the Presidential Palace in Hanoi. In a joint press statement, President Lee declared: "Amid supply chain instability stemming from recent tensions in the Middle East, we share the recognition that the need for cooperation betw
Diplomacy Journal Lee Sung Jun | On Friday, April 17, 2026, the Embassy of Peru in the Republic of Korea organized a tribute to Mario Vargas Llosa — Nobel Prize in Literature laureate in 2010 — on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of his birth. The event took place at the Instituto Cervantes Seoul, located in the heart of the Myeongdong district, drawing a full auditorium of diplomats, academics, local media professionals, and students from across Latin America and Korea. The evening opened with a screening of a fragment of the documentary A Personal Journey Through 'I Dedicate My Silence'
Diplomacy Journal 이성준 기자 | Special Feature Editor Andy Hyun The Republic of Korea and the Republic of Turkmenistan are elevating their bilateral relationship to a new level, centered on consular cooperation, and are leaping from ‘diplomacy protecting people’ to a ‘strategic partnership.’ A complex diplomatic structure is taking shape, extending beyond the simple protection of overseas citizens to cooperation in energy, logistics and geopolitics. On April 8, Lim Sang-woo, the Government Representative for the Protection of Overseas Citizens and Consular Affairs, held the 1st Korea-Turkmenistan
Diplomacy Journal 이성준 기자 | Special Feature Editor Andy Hyun The Republic of Korea and the Republic of Mongolia are two very special countries to each other. Ambassador Sukhe Sukhbold of Mongolia in Seoul emphasized: “Korea and Mongolia share a special relationship that has maintained a long history of exchanges extending far beyond the 35-year period of official diplomatic relations.” Speaking at a reception he hosted at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel on November 21 last year in commemoration of the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Mongolia, Ambassador Sukhbold sa
Diplomacy Journal 이성준 기자 | TASHKENT - Uzbekistan has unveiled its updated Uzbekistan–2030 Strategy, marking a major step in the country’s journey toward national reform and development. Officials emphasise that implementing reform requires responsibility, consistency, institutional discipline, and public legitimacy. The government has revised the strategy following extensive public consultations, ensuring that citizens’ voices are reflected in the results-based policy framework. Aligned with international standards and designed to advance the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, the s
Diplomacy Journal 이성준 기자 | An analysis of nighttime satellite illumination data indicates a strengthening of economic activity across regions and an expansion in the number of territories exhibiting urban-type development. The Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR) applied satellite-based nighttime lights (NTL) data to assess economic activity at the level of regions and cities in Uzbekistan. The analysis shows that higher light intensity corresponds to higher levels of economic activity and more advanced urban infrastructure. CERR’s findings demonstrate a high degree of consistency b
Diplomacy Journal Dunyo IA | Navruz is considered one of the ancient and widely celebrated traditional holidays, embodying values such as humanity, kindness, generosity and diligence. This holiday holds a significant place in the culture of the peoples of Central Asia, Iran, the Caucasus, the Near East and South Asia, reflecting the continuity of centuries-old civilizational traditions. According to historical sources, the tradition of Navruz dates back at least three thousand years. Detailed information on this subject was provided by Abu Rayhan Beruni in his work “The Remaining Signs of Past
Diplomacy Journal 이성준 기자 | Amir Temur occupies a place in world history not only as a great commander and statesman who built a powerful and prosperous state. The great ruler turned his capital, Samarkand, into one of the cultural, architectural, scientific and spiritual centers of the world. Therefore, the study of Amir Temur's exemplary life and statecraft, the history of his reign, the study of science and culture in it, as one of the major scientific directions of historiography, has always been and remains the focus of attention of world scientists, heads of state, and politicians. Also,
Diplomacy Journal Jon Lee | TURKMENISTAN BILEN KOREYA RESPUBLIKASYNYN ARASYNDAKY HYZMATDA LYK OSDURILYAR 대만민국과 투르크메니스탄 간의 협력은 발전아고 있다 TURKMENISTAN AND THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA EXPAND COOPERATION
Diplomacy Journal Lee Sung Jun | President Lee Jae-myung hosted a luncheon meeting with leaders of South Korea’s major religious denominations at Cheong Wa Dae (The Blue House) today at noon to mark the New Year of 2026. Under the theme "Toward National Unity with Religion," the meeting brought together leaders from seven major religious groups—Buddhism, Protestantism, Catholicism, Won Buddhism, Confucianism, Cheondogyo, and Korean Native Religions—to seek wisdom on overcoming social divisions. In his opening remarks, President Lee stated, "National unity is the President's most paramount duty
Diplomacy Journal | Lee Sung Jun | Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni will pay an official visit to South Korea from January 17 to 19, Cheong Wa Dae announced, marking the first visit by a European leader since the inauguration of Lee Jae-myung. The visit will also be the first time South Korea welcomes a foreign leader at Cheong Wa Dae since the presidential office returned there, and the first bilateral summit visit by an Italian prime minister in 19 years. President Lee and Prime Minister Meloni are scheduled to hold summit talks and an official luncheon on January 19. Expanding Cooperat