By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo SK bioscience, a global innovative vaccine and biotech company committed to promoting human health from prevention to cure, announced on June 30 that the company has secured a large-scale commercial production facility which will support entry into the global pneumococcal vaccine market. SK bioscience held a mechanical completion ceremony to mark the expansion of its vaccine manufacturing plant, L HOUSE in Andong, South Korea, on June 27. The expanded facility will serve as a production site for GBP410, a 21-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV21) candida
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Eurasian Economic Forum was held in Minsk from June 27 to 28, reaffirming Belarus’s role as a central venue for strategic Eurasian dialogue. The high-level international gathering has brought together heads of government, senior officials, business leaders, and experts from across the Eurasian Economic Union (EAEU) and key partner countries. In his opening address, President of the Republic of Belarus, H.E. Aleksandr Lukashenko, emphasized the importance of building a multipolar, just world order based on equal cooperation and mutual respect. The Head of Be
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Youn Young-mi, chairperson of the Korea Importers Association (KOIMA), met with Ambassador Wilfried Georg Schmidt at the German Embassy in Seoul to discuss ways to expand trade between the two countries, the Korea Importers Association announced on June 26. Ambassador Schmidt expressed his hope that the two countries would work closely together to expand trade amid the spread of protectionism and deepening global uncertainty. He also requested that the association take an active role in resolving non-tariff barriers, which are cited as a major obstacle to trade
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Kia Corporation (Kia) President and CEO Song Ho-sung has been honored with the prestigious Issigonis Trophy at the 2025 Autocar Awards. Named after the legendary automotive designer and inventor Sir Alec Issigonis, the Trophy is Autocar’s most prestigious award. Presented annually, it recognizes individuals who have made a significant contribution to the automotive industry through innovation, leadership and exceptional business performance. Mark Tisshaw, Editor of Autocar, commented, “We’re delighted to present Ho Sung Song with the Issigonis Trophy. We’ve bee
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Women In koRea (WIR: ‘We’ in German) women leadership group of the Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI), in partnership with Macoll Consulting Group and The Executive Center, hosted the WIR Leadership Forum 2025 on June 26 at IFC Forum in Seoul, South Korea. The forum brought together more than 80 women leaders and professionals from businesses, academic, and international organizations to explore the evolving demands of women’s leadership in today’s dynamic workplace. The forum served as a dynamic platform to celebrate the growing influen
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Mayor Choi Dae-ho of Anyang City visited the Chinese Embassy in Myeong-dong, Seoul, and held a meeting with Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing to discuss measures to strengthen diplomatic cooperation between local governments in South Korea and China on June 25, 2025. Mayor Choi and Ambassador Dai Bing discussed a wide range of topics, including the role of local governments in further strengthening the friendly relationship between South Korea and China on the occasion of the 33rd anniversary of diplomatic relations, as well as mutual cooperation strat
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Acting on behalf of South Korea’s President Lee Jae-myung, National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac attended the NATO summit and conveyed the President's intention to strengthen the Korea-NATO partnership and began concrete discussions on expanding defense cooperation. According to the Presidential Office on June 26, National Security Adviser Wi attended the NATO summit held in The Hague, Netherlands, on June 24 and 25, and delivered a personal letter from President Lee Jae-myung to NATO Secretary General Mark Rutte during their meeting, explaining the reasons for
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Rahmonov Sirojiddin, senior specialist at the Center for the Study of Transport and Logistics Development Problems at the Ministry of Transport of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to the Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. –Ed. Uzbekistan and Mongolia, two landlocked countries in Central and East Asia respectively, have been actively developing cooperation in transportation and logistics in recent years. Historically, direct links between them have been underdeveloped due to geographi
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo On June 24-25, President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will pay a state visit to Mongolia. Diplomatic relations between Uzbekistan and Mongolia were established on January 25, 1992. Since then, bilateral dialogue has steadily progressed, demonstrating a mutual interest in strengthening friendly ties, political understanding, and expanding multifaceted cooperation. Over the past decades, the two sides have cultivated stable relations founded on respect for sovereignty, equality, and the absence of political contradictions. Recent years have witnessed an inten
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the Republic of Korea held an event dedicated to the Day of Remembrance of the Victims of the Great Patriotic War and the Genocide of the Belarusian People, co-organized by the South Korean news media Diplomacy Journal on June 20, 2025. In his opening remarks, the Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Korea Andrew Chernetsky pointed out the need to defend the historical truth about the crimes of Nazi Germany against the Belarusian population and the peoples of the former Soviet republics, to preserve
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of India and the Korean Yoga Association (KYA) jointly organized the 11th International Day of Yoga (IDoY) event at the iconic Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul on June 21, 2025. With the Gyeongbok Palace providing a magnificent backdrop, the Yoga event drew in over 700 yoga practitioners, both Korean friends and members of the Indian diaspora. Several dignitaries and members of the diplomatic corps joined the event. Ambassador Amit Kumar noted the growing popularity of Yoga in ROK, thanked KYA and other local partners for their efforts in promoting Yoga
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “The Philippines and Korea have stood side by side as allies in times of adversity and as partners in progress. The Korea-Philippines partnership has now matured into a strategic partnership grounded in shared values, mutual respect, and a vision for a prosperous, sustainable, peaceful, and inclusive future,” said Amb. Theresa Dizon-de Vega of the Philippines in Seoul on June 23, 2025. Delivering a speech at a reception on the occasion of the 127th anniversary of Philippine Independence and 76th anniversary of Philippines-Korea Relations held at Four Seasons Ho
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “Ecuador is truly a gem in the heart of South America and offers an incredible variety of attractions that appeal to all kinds of travelers. Whether you are drawn to tropical beaches, majestic mountains, rich rainforests, or unique islands, Ecuador has it all—often described as offering four worlds,” said Ambassador Patricio Esteban Troya Suárez of Ecuador to South Korea on June 23. In an exclusive interview with the Diplomacy Journal held at the Embassy of Ecuador in Jongno-gu, Seoul, Amb. Suarez said, “The coastal region is a tropical paradise with stunning b
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI), led by President & CEO Marie Antonia von Schönburg, hosted a high-level German delegation focused on smart welfare, senior housing, and healthcare from June 15 to 18, 2025. The visit aimed at fostering cooperation and technology exchange in smart welfare, senior housing, and healthcare, key sectors addressing the challenges of aging populations in both Korea and Germany. Organized by Germany’s Smart Living & Health Center e.V., the delegation included 22 leading experts and executives from Germ
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Daewoo E&C Chairman Jeong Won-ju visited Mozambique in Africa to meet with Mozambique's President Daniel Francisco Chapo and discuss current issues, the company said on June 19. During his visit to Maputo, the capital of Mozambique, on June 18, Chairman Jeong stated, “We have experience contributing to the economic development of African countries through projects such as the Botswana-Zambia Kazungula Bridge and the Ethiopia Highway Project.” He added, “I hope that Daewoo Engineering & Construction will contribute to Mozambique's leap forward as a globa