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 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 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 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 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
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of Kazakhstan in Korea, together with Kazakh Tourism JSC NC, organized a Road Show to showcase Kazakhstan’s tourism potential in Seoul on June 4, 2025. The event brought together about 150 participants, including representatives of leading Korean tour operators, airlines, the Secretariat of the Central Asia – Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum, the Korea Association of Travel Agents (KATA), tourism experts, and journalists from both countries. The Kazakh delegation included 10 organizations and companies such as Kazakh Tourism JSC NC, the Almaty To
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Hyundai Motor Group showcased its position as a global leader in hydrogen at the World Hydrogen Summit 2025 in Rotterdam, Netherlands, May 20-22. The group took part in both the exhibition and high-level Roundtable to share its latest hydrogen initiatives and drive industry dialogue. At the Summit’s Korean Pavilion - organized in collaboration with H2KOREA, a key coalition of hydrogen industry stakeholders - the group highlighted the global advancement of hydrogen technology. The Pavilion also featured contributions from KOTRA and Doosan Fuel Cell. The group hi
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Italian Embassy in Korea successfully concluded the commemoration ceremony for the 79th anniversary of the proclamation of the Italian Republic on June 2. Over 300 prominent figures from Korea and Italy, including Kim Hee-sang, Director-General for Economic Diplomacy at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, and Lee Han-kyung, Vice Minister for Safety at the Ministry of Interior and Safety, as well as representatives from the political, business, academic, scientific, and cultural sectors, attended the event held at the Italian Embassy residence. The Italian Repu
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The awards ceremony for “The 5th Korea+Sweden Young Design Award (KSYDA)”—co-hosted by home furnishing retailer IKEA Korea, the Embassy of Sweden in Seoul, and the Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP)—was held on June 4 at the Grand Hyatt Seoul, in conjunction with ‘Sweden Day,’ an annual celebration hosted by the Embassy of Sweden. Launched in 2019 to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Sweden, the Korea+Sweden Young Design Award aims to expand design exchange between the 2 countries. Under the guiding principles of
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Newly-elected President Lee Jae-myung said at his inauguration ceremony held at the Rotunda Hall of the National Assembly on the morning of June 4, “We will turn the crisis of global economic and security environment transformation into an opportunity to maximize national interests through practical diplomacy centered on national interests.” He also said, “Based on the solid ROK-U.S. alliance, we will strengthen ROK-U.S.-Japan cooperation and approach relations with neighboring countries from the perspective of national interests and practicality. We will broad