By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “Filipinos and Koreans share a common love for family and festivals or festivities where the family gathers together. Many of these festivities involve both the preparation of and the enjoyment of traditional food which we also share,” said Ambassador Theresa Dizon-de Vega of the Philippines to Korea on May 26, 2025. In an exclusive interview with the Diplomacy Journal at the Embassy of the Philippines in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Amb. Dizon-de Vega said, “There are just some differences in the way we prepare them. I often focus more on similarities between the Philip
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the Republic of Korea took part on May 24 in the international multicultural festival “Busan Global Gathering 2025”, held annually in Busan, the second largest city in the Republic of Korea. According to the already established tradition, at the festival, Belarus diplomatic mission treated guests to national homemade pastries and honey drinks, also introduce the local community to the culture, history and tourist features of Belarus. For the very young visitors of the festival, coloring books with images of national sym
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul met with Wamkele Keabetswe Mene, Secretary General of the African Continental Free Trade Area (AfCFTA) Secretariat, who is visiting Korea on the sidelines of the Jeju Forum (May 28-29), and exchanged views on expanding economic cooperation between Korea and Africa and strengthening the Secretariat's capacity on May 27, 2025. Minister Cho welcomed Mr. Mene to Korea and expressed his pleasure that Korea, which has been supporting the accelerated implementation of the AfCFTA since its inception in 2021, will be able to utili
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The All-Party Parliamentary Delegation led by Hon’ble Member of Parliament, Mr. Sanjay Kumar Jha arrived in Seoul as part of a broader five-nation diplomatic outreach to brief on the significance of Operation Sindoor, the Embassy of India in Seoul said on May 27. The visit, scheduled from 24-26 May 2025, is an integral part of the Government of India’s ongoing efforts to further India’s principled and unwavering stance of zero tolerance against terrorism in all its forms and manifestations. During the course of their visit, the delegation engaged with senior of
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in the Republic of Korea, in collaboration with the Ministry of Heritage and Tourism of Oman, organized a promotional forum for Korean travel and tourism companies in Seoul on May 23, 2025. The event aims to exchange experiences and introduce participants to the natural and cultural attractions that the Sultanate of Oman has to offer, thereby encouraging the South Korean tourism sector to include Oman among its preferred destinations and enhancing opportunities for tourism cooperation between the two countries. This forum is
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo SK bioscience announced on May 11 that the Supreme Court of Korea has ruled in its favor in a patent infringement lawsuit filed by large global pharmaceutical giant Pfizer over its 13-valent pneumococcal conjugate vaccine (PCV13). In 2020, Pfizer claimed that SK bioscience’s export of PCV13 individual conjugate bulk substances and research-use finished products to Russia infringed on the composition patent of its vaccine, Prevnar 13. However, the Supreme Court ruled that the individual conjugates comprising PCV13 do not fall within the scope of Pfizer’s patent
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “Belarus is a country with an ancient history and rich traditions, beautiful nature and stunning architecture, industrial giants and well-developed agriculture, unique cuisine and hospitable people,” said H.E. Andrew Chernetsky, Belarus Ambassador to the Republic of Korea on May 20, 2025. In an exclusive interview with the Diplomacy Journal, Amb. Chernetsky said, “The modern cultural life of Belarus is dynamic and diverse. The country hosts numerous art, music, theater exhibitions and film festivals. Belarus entertains its guests with a variety of events.” Noti
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) hosted the business event AIFC Connect in Seoul on May 21, 2025, aimed at strengthening commercial ties between Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea. The initiative also sought to foster new partnerships and encourage Korean entrepreneurs to engage in joint ventures through the AIFC platform. Nurgali Arystanov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Korea, delivered a welcoming speech in which he emphasized the high level of the expanded strategic partnership
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of Azerbaijan in Seoul hosted a reception to mark the 107th independence anniversary at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul on May 20, 2025. Delivering welcoming speech, Ambassador Ramin Hasanov of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Seoul said, “Azerbaijan's engagement and leadership have secured its strategic role at the cross between Europe and Asia. Azerbaijan has also undergone a successful political and economic growth, becoming a pivotal actor of international affairs. Azerbaijan also ended the long-lasted conflict with Armenia.” Noting that Azerbaijan
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Shin Kwang-yul, chairman of the International Conference on Foreigners Welfare (ICFW), invited Asian ambassadors to lunch on May 13 to share stories in celebration of Korea’s May Family Month. While meeting with Asian ambassadors, ICFW Chairman Shin asked, “What kind of detailed education is needed for foreigners, foreign workers, students, and immigrants to develop their lives in Korea and how can they get close to Koreans; show good manners to them, and receive good attention and respect from them as brothers and sisters?” In response to the question, Thai Am
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the Republic of Korea, together with representatives of the Belarusian diaspora, took part in the 17th Seongbuk Global Food Festival – Nurimasil on May 18,2025, organized by the administration of the Seongbuk district of Seoul. Belarusian diplomatic mission delighted the guests of the festival with traditional potato pancakes, crepes and other dishes of national cuisine, while both adults and children appreciated the Belarusian culinary delights. As part of the event, Ambassador of Belarus Andrew Chernetsky and his Spou
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in the Republic of Korea organized a special event on May 19, 2025, to plant the Omani frankincense tree, along with the flower of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said (may Allah grant him peace), the flower of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik (may Allah protect him), and the flower of Her Excellency Sayyida Ahd bint Abdullah Al Said in the Seoul Botanical Garden. This event is part of the embassy's ongoing efforts to enhance cultural and environmental exchange between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Korea, highl
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Patricio Esteban Troya Suarez, Ambassador of Ecuador to the Republic of Korea, visited the Ministry of Government Legislation (MOLEG) and met with Minister Lee Wan-kyu on May 19. During the visit, the two shared that Ecuador's internal approval process for the entry into force of the Korea-Ecuador Strategic Economic Cooperation Agreement (SECA) has been completed, and requested the interest and cooperation of the Ministry of Government Legislation in Korea's internal approval process. “The MOLEG is of great significance as it provides for the elimination of tar
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo European Union (EU) Ambassador to Korea Maria Castillo Fernandez has become an honorary citizen of the northernmost county of Goseong-gun. As Goseong-gun is working to strengthen exchanges with Europe to foster global talent among its youth, Ambassador Castillo Fernandez visited the northernmost county of Goseong-gun on May 19 and received an honorary citizenship certificate from Ham Myung-joon, mayor of Goseong-gun, and delivered a special lecture to local high school students. At Goseong-gun's invitation, the Ambassador delivered a lecture on ‘EU goes to scho
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on May 15 at KOTRA headquarters to establish a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing the trade and investment environment for foreign-invested companies in Korea. Through this agreement, AMCHAM and KOTRA will work closely together to promote regulatory reform and support initiatives that advance the U.S.-Korea economic partnership. To facilitate this collaboration, the two organizations will establish a joint w