Diplomacy Journal David Kendall 기자 | The Association of Korean Culture Centers is presenting its 31st annual exhibition at Gallery Mirae in Seoul, running from April 15 to 28, 2026. Supported by the Association of Korean Craft Function, this year's showcase takes the form of a "small works exhibition" — featuring 49 pieces spanning traditional painting and craft disciplines. A Celebration of Human Creativity Honorary Chairman Song Jun-gyeong framed the exhibition within the context of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, arguing that craft art represents an irreplaceable expression of distinctly
Diplomacy Journal David Kendall 기자 | On April 15, an international exhibition opened at the CN Gallery in Seoul's historic Bukchon neighborhood. The Embassy of the Slovak Republic and the Chungnam Cultural Tourism Foundation (CNCTF) jointly invited Slovak illustrator Peter Uchnár to visit Korea and display several pieces from his storied career. In his opening statement, Jiwon (John) Lee, Director of the CNCTF Cultural & Arts Promotion Headquarters, praised Peter Uchnár for his work on beloved children's books like Peter Pan and his reimagined version of Gulliver's Travels, for which he wo
On April 13, Cheong Wa Dae (CWD) announced that President Lee Jae Myung held a summit with Polish Prime Minister Donald Tusk at Cheong Wa Dae on the same day. They engaged in in-depth discussions on ways to elevate bilateral relations and expand practical cooperation, as well as major regional and international issues. Marking the first bilateral visit by a Polish Prime Minister in 27 years and Prime Minister Tusk’s first tour of the Asian region since taking office, the two leaders agreed to elevate bilateral relations to a “Comprehensive Strategic Partnership” based on the deep trust and fri
On April 12, the South Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) released a statement that said the government dispatched a joint public-private defense industry cooperation delegation to Latin America. MOFA and the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) led the delegation with the intent of promoting K-defense exports across the region. From April 6 to 10, the delegation visited Chile and Brazil — two of the region's most promising defense markets — participating in the FIDAE aerospace and defense exhibition, hosting K-Defense Forums, and holding bilateral meetings with senior defe
President Lee Jae-myung convened a Senior Secretaries and Advisers Meeting at Cheong Wa Dae (CWD) on April 9, directing government officials to prepare for all possible scenarios following the recent U.S.–Iran ceasefire agreement, which he said has opened a new phase in the Middle Eastern conflict but warrants no complacency. Lee issued an urgent directive to mobilize all available diplomatic channels and networks to secure the safe return of Korean crew members and vessels currently stranded in the Strait of Hormuz. He further ordered accelerated efforts to secure additional crude oil and cri
On April 9, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) moved simultaneously on two separate but related fronts, convening industry stakeholders to address pressing trade and supply-chain vulnerabilities triggered by global developments — one rooted in Washington, the other in the Middle East. Section 232 Restructuring: Navigating the New Tariff Landscape At 10:00 a.m. in the Grand Conference Room of the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) in Seoul, MOTIR Chief Trade Negotiator Yeo Han-koo presided over a public-private joint review meeting on the restructuring of U.S. Sect
The following combines the April 7 Press Briefing on the Middle East Situation issued by Cheong Wa Dae (CWD) Chief of Staff Kang Hoon-sik and an April 8 press release by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) regarding the recent cease fire: Today marks the 39th day since the outbreak of the Middle East crisis. In response to signs of expanding and prolonged military conflict, the government established an Emergency Economic Situation Room at Cheong Wa Dae on March 25, and has convened three sessions of the Emergency Economic Review Meeting, chaired directly by the President, with the most rec
The Ministry of National Defense's Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification (MAKRI) and the U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) have launched a joint field survey in the Gangneung and Yangyang areas of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, running from April 6 to May 1. The survey aims to locate wreckage and traces of U.S. military aircraft lost during the Korean War. The four-week operation serves as preparatory groundwork for a joint underwater investigation planned for August. Field teams will collect testimony from local residents, gather relevant documentation, and confirm
President Lee Jae-myung held a summit with French President Emmanuel Macron at Cheong Wa Dae (CWD) on April 3, marking the 140th anniversary of Korea-France diplomatic relations and the elevation of bilateral ties to the level of "Global Strategic Partnership." The meeting was Macron's first visit to Korea since taking office, and the first state visit by a European leader since Korea's new government was inaugurated. The two leaders discussed the ongoing Middle East conflict and its global economic repercussions, agreeing that regional stability must be restored as quickly as possible. They e
On Friday, April 3, Cheong Wa Dae (CWD) resleased the following statement on French President Emmanuel Macron and his wife's ongoing state visit to Korea as they continue their second day of scheduled activities, which began this morning with an official welcome ceremony. On the occasion of this visit, Korea and France will upgrade their relationship from the "Comprehensive Partnership for the 21st Century" established in 2004 to a "Global Strategic Partnership" — an elevation that comes 22 years later. Through this upgrade, President Lee plans to strengthen strategic communication with France
On Thursday, April 2, a bipartisan U.S. Senate delegation, including Senator Jeanne Shaheen, Ranking Member of the Senate Foreign Relations Committee held back-to-back meetings in Seoul: first, a luncheon meeting with Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and then a closed-door meeting with President Lee Jae-myung at Cheong Wa Dae (CWD). In a statement, released the same day, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) emphasized that Foreign Minister Cho highlighted the Joint Fact Sheet [JFS] adopted at the October 2024 Gyeongju summit, expressing hope that its faithful and swift implementation would maximize
Diplomacy Journal David Kendall 기자 | Diplomatic representatives from five countries joined hundreds of local participants and Buddhist monks from Korea and Sri Lanka on Wednesday, 1 April, for the International Friendship Tree-Planting Ceremony held at the grounds of Byeoksa Chobuljeongsa Buddhist Temple in Miwon-myeon, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do. , Organized by Diplomacy Journal and the Damhwa Cultural Foundation under Chairman Lee Jon-young, the event — entitled "Together with Nature, People and the World — Green Korea" — was held jointly with the Chungcheongbuk-do Cheongju Forestry Coop
The Yeongdeungpo Arts Hall operated by the Yeongdeungpo Cultural Foundation, has announced its 2026 Season Program, a year-round lineup designed to enrich the lives of local residents. Building on the warmth and accessibility of a community venue, Yeongdeungpo Arts Hall will present a high-caliber slate of performances spanning classical music, ballet, theater, and concerts. By erasing the boundaries between genres, the Hall aims to bring a touch of cultured excitement to residents' daily lives. The introduction of a season format reflects the Hall's commitment to proactively building and bran
Diplomacy Journal David Kendall 기자 | The Embassy of Bangladesh in Seoul hosted a reception on Tuesday to mark the country's 55th Independence and National Day at Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. The event brought together ambassadors, Korean government officials, and members of the diplomatic community to celebrate Bangladesh's national milestone and reflect on the growing partnership between the two countries. South Korea's Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy Lim Sang-woo delivered remarks on behalf of the Korean government, congratulating Bangladesh on its new government following the Februar
Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) announced on March 31 that the 61st Session of the United Nations Human Rights Council adopted a resolution on North Korean human rights by consensus on March 30 (Geneva local time), with 50 countries — including the Republic of Korea — participating as co-sponsors. No vote was required. The Korean government notes that the resolution welcomes North Korea's instances of compliance with human rights obligations and its participation in the Fourth Cycle of the Universal Periodic Review (UPR), acknowledging the efforts made by the North Korean side. The