By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo LG Electronics announced a new multi-year deal with the National Gallery in London to become the institution’s Modern and Contemporary Art Partner on Sept. 17. As part of this role, LG will support the National Gallery’s current and upcoming projects with leading artists, continuing its rich artistic tradition. The National Gallery is committed to presenting contemporary art in dynamic conversation with the historic collection through its artist residencies, artist conversations and artist commissions. The new partnership with the National Gallery builds on LG’
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Seoul’s new eco-friendly Hangang Bus officially launched its regular service with its inaugural voyage at 11 AM on Sept. 18, covering a 28.9-km route with seven piers: Magok, Mangwon, Yeouido, Oksu, Apgujeong, Ttukseom, and Jamsil, the Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) announced The ferry service will kick off with a total of eight vessels. As Korea’s first waterborne public transportation system, the city has carefully designed the initial phase with safety and service quality in mind. From launch, services will run daily from 11 AM to 9:37 PM (based on arri
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Joseph Yun, U.S. Chargé d'Affaires to the Republic of Korea, stated on September 17 that the leaders of South Korea and the United States will meet at the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Summit in Gyeongju. Ambassador Yun, speaking at the ‘Korea-U.S. Alliance Conference’ held at the Westin Chosun Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul, said in his keynote address, “The leaders of Korea and the U.S. held a successful summit last month,” adding, “And they will also meet at APEC in Gyeongju.” He emphasized, “The Korea-U.S. alliance is stronger than ever, from the top le
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Lotte Shopping Co. hosted its 2025 CEO IR Day at The Westin Singapore on September 17 for the third consecutive year, reinforcing its long-term commitment to Southeast Asia expansion, AI transformation, and shareholder value. The event followed the company's annual CEO IR Day held in Seoul on September 15 and investor meetings in Hong Kong on September 16. This year's Singapore session brought together a large gathering of institutional investors, asset managers, and analysts. At the event, Vice Chairman and Group CEO of Lotte Retail, Samuel Sanghyun Kim addres
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Economy and Finance Koo Yun-cheol met with Japanese Ambassador to Korea Koichi Mizushima at the Government Complex-Seoul on September 16. The two sides discussed ways to enhance bilateral economic cooperation and strengthen policy coordination. DPM Koo expressed his appreciation for Ambassador Mizushima’s congratulatory remarks on his inauguration and conveyed his hope that the two neighboring countries would engage in more frequent communication. He also noted that the Korea-Japan summit held on August 23 served as a succe
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Dominican Republic–Korea Business Forum: Strategic Horizons – Exploring a Land of Opportunities for Korean Companies in the Dominican Republic, will be held on September 22, 2025, at the VOCO Myeongdong Hotel, Seoul, the Embassy of the Dominican Republic said. This high-level forum will serve as a platform to strengthen trade and investment ties between our two nations, bringing together Korean entrepreneurs, investors, and decision-makers with leading Dominican representatives. The program will include a keynote address by Mrs. Biviana Riveiro, Executive D
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The economic cooperation with the Republic of South Africa (RSA) is expected to be invigorated. RSA is the largest economy in Africa and one of the emerging markets among the Global South countries. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy (MOTIE) held the Korea-South Africa Insight Forum in collaboration with the South African Embassy in Seoul to expand cooperation with RSA, this year's host to G20 Summit on 17 September at the Diplomacy Center located in Yangjae-dong. The upcoming G20 trade and investment ministerial meeting to be held on 10 October and the
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Hyundai Motor Group asserted its hydrogen leadership at the 1st Ministerial Meeting on Sustainable Fuels and the 7th Hydrogen Energy Ministerial Meeting on September 15 in Osaka, Japan, through lead intervention on the clean energy transition. The ministerial meetings, co-hosted by the governments of Japan and Brazil and with the participation of over 25 countries and the International Energy Agency (IEA), Asian Development Bank (ADB), International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA), were held with the aim of accelerating global collaboration. Hyundai Motor Group
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Seoul Olympic Memorial Korea Sports Promotion Foundation (KSPO), led by Chairman Ha Hyung-joo, held a reoperation ceremony on September 16, 2025 for the fountain donated by Korea’s brother nation, Turkiye, during the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Held near the Turkiye Fountain in Olympic Park, the event was attended by Chairman Ha Hyung-joo; Ambassador Salih Murat Tamer of the Republic of Turkiye to the Republic of Korea; Songpa-gu Mayor Seo Kang-seok; Songpa Forum Chairman Hong Jae-sung; Kim Yong-jong, Superintendent General of the Songpa Police Station; Kim Na-mi,
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo A lecture by Ambassador Nurgali Arystanov, dedicated to the State of the Nation address of the President of the Republic of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, “Kazakhstan in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: Current Challenges and Solutions through Digital Transformation”, was held in the capital of the Republic of Korea on Sept. 14, 2025. The event was organized with the support of the Secretariat of the Central Asia – Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum. Participants included representatives of academic and business circles, staff of international organizat
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Governor Kim Young-hwan of Chungcheongbuk-do Province met with Jorge Enrique Valerio Hernández, Costa Rican Ambassador to Korea, at the Yeongdong Expo on September 15. They exchanged views on expanding economic and cultural exchange and cooperation between Chungcheongbuk-do and Costa Rica. Through this meeting, Chungcheongbuk-do Province and the Embassy of Costa Rica in Korea agreed to pursue mutual development through continued exchanges. Governor Kim stated, “We will actively strive to expand exchanges and cooperation between Chungcheongbuk-do and Costa Rica
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) hosted an exclusive closed-door roundtable on September 14 with Christopher Landau, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, during his first official visit to Seoul as Deputy Secretary. Held at the Grand Hyatt Seoul, the meeting brought together senior executives from leading U.S. and Korean companies across industries including automotive, airlines, healthcare, ICT and digital services, and steel. With Korean investments in the United States continuing to grow, participants engaged in candid discussions on strengtheni
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Journalists from major media outlets in China will visit the Republic of Korea (ROK) from September 15 to 18 as part of the ROK and Chinese Foreign Ministries’ “program for exchange between ROK and Chinese journalists.” The delegation will be composed of journalists from China’s major media outlets, including Xinhua News Agency, CCTV, People’s Daily, and Global Times. During their stay in Seoul, the Chinese journalists will attend dinner events hosted by officials from the Foreign Ministry, and visit the Journalists Association of Korea, leading Korean media ou
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Korea-Arab Society co-hosted a seminar titled “Why Our Future Lies in the Middle East?” with the National Assembly's Global Diplomacy and Security Forum on September 11 at the National Assembly Members' Office Building in Yeoui-do, Seoul. Sponsored by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the seminar focused on discussing Korea-Middle East cooperation strategies in the core future industries of AI, hydrogen, and defense. Approximately 100 participants attended, including National Assembly members, the Arab diplomatic corps in Korea, business leaders, and student
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of Tajikistan in Seoul hosted a celebration for the country's 34th Independence Day on September 12, 2025. The event brought together Tajik citizens living and studying in the Republic of Korea, as well as Korean friends. In his address, Ambassador Salohiddin Kirom congratulated his compatriots and highlighted the country's progress under President Emomali Rahmon's leadership. He stated that Tajikistan is "moving with firm steps towards its bright and prosperous future, in step with other developed countries." The Ambassador also noted Tajikistan's