By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Minister of Unification Chung Dong-young met with U.S. Interim Ambassador to Korea Joseph Yun on Aug. 1, 2025. This meeting is drawing attention as interest in the possibility of a summit between US President Donald Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un has grown. Minister Chung met with Yun for the first time since taking office at the Seoul Government Complex that afternoon. He stated, "From our perspective, I believe the remaining three years and six months of President Donald Trump's term are a very important time in history." He added, "I would like to
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea hosted an AMCHAM Insightsevent on July 22, featuring South Korean Prime Minister Kim Min-seok at the Conrad Seoul. Examining the theme “Navigating the New Administration: Business Roles in a Changing Policy Landscape,” the event brought together approximately 140 participants, including key figures from government, industry, and academia. Attendees engaged in in-depth discussions on the policy direction of the Lee Jae-myung administration and the potential impact of U.S.-Korea economic cooperation on the business enviro
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo In their first meeting since the inauguration of the Lee Jae-myung administration, the foreign ministers of South Korea and the United States affirmed their shared goal of North Korea's complete denuclearization and agreed to strengthen trilateral cooperation among South Korea, the United States, and Japan on July 31, 2025 (local time). They also agreed to further strengthen the ROK-US alliance and modernize it to enhance its strategic importance amidst the changing security environment in the region. Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun met with Secretary of S
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of Morocco in Seoul hosted a reception to celebrate the 26th anniversary of the accession of His Majesty the King Mohammed VI to the Throne, commemorated as the National Day of the Kingdom of Morocco, at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel in Seoul, on July 30, 2025. Moroccans celebrate the Throne Day on July 30 - an opportunity to proudly honor the proactive, insightful, and forward-looking Vision of His Majesty King Mohammed VI, who has transformed the Kingdom into an emerging, modern, and prosperous nation. Throne Day marks a powerful moment of un
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Ambassador Amit Kumar of India to Korea made an official visit to Gyeongbuk Province on July 29 and paid a courtesy call on Deputy Governor for Economic Affairs Yang Geum-hee. Ambassador Kumar's visit came ahead of his return to India after completing his three-year term. Ambassador Kumar expressed his gratitude for the exchanges and cooperation with Gyeongbuk Province and expressed his hope that "we will continue to collaborate, focusing on future-oriented areas such as youth talent, industry, and culture." Gyeongbuk Governor Lee Cheol-woo visited India to sol
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of Peru in Seoul held a reception to mark the 204th Anniversary of the Independence of Peru at Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul on July 28, 2025. Delivering a speech at the reception, Peruvian Ambassador to Korea Paul Fernando Duclos Farodi said, “In 2024, during the APEC Leaders' Summit held in Lima, Peru had the honor of transferring to Korea the chairmanship of this key platform for economic cooperation in the Asia-Pacific region. “One of the most emblematic achievements of APEC Peru was the restoration of consensus among its 21 member economies, lead
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Sharapov A.A., Candidate of Political Sciences, Associate Professor, Department of International Relations, University of World Economy and Diplomacy (Republic of Uzbekistan) and Pulatov J.N., Lecturer, Department of International Relations, University of World Economy and Diplomacy, Tashkent (Republic of Uzbekistan) through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. –Ed. Looking back at the process of formation of states and their role in international relations, one can note the existence of various theories and approaches in
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI, President & CEO Marie Antonia von Schönburg) has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Daejeon Regional Human Resources Development Council and Hyundai Vocational Training School on July 28, 2025 to bolster Korea’s industry-ready talent development through practical, hands-on education. The MoU, signed on July 25 at the KGCCI office in Seoul, outlines the three organizations’ commitment to jointly promote field-oriented vocational training programs aligned with real-world industry need
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The United Nations General Assembly unanimously adopted a historic resolution entitled the “Role of artificial intelligence (AI) in creating new opportunities for sustainable development in Central Asia”, initiated by the Republic of Tajikistan, on July 25, 2025. It is worth noting that this proposal was originally put forward by the Founder of Peace and National Unity - Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, His Excellency Emomali Rahmon, during the General Debate of the 79th session of the UN General Assembly on September 24, 2024. Sup
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo President Lee Jae-myung held his first summit call with German Chancellor Friedrich Merz since his inauguration and agreed to further solidify the traditional friendly and cooperative relationship between Korea and Germany on July 24. In the call that day, President Lee congratulated Chancellor Merz on his inauguration and said that Korea and Germany have enjoyed a long history of about 140 years. They praised the close cooperation in various fields, including politics, economy, society, and culture, since the establishment of diplomatic relations. They also sa
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Gyeonggi Province Vice Governor Kim Seong-joong met with Ambassador Aida Ismailova of the Kyrgyz Republic to Korea and her entourage at the provincial office on July 22 to discuss international cooperation measures in the field of the disabled. This meeting was arranged to conduct preliminary exchanges and improve the effectiveness of the project ahead of the ‘2025 Local Government Public Cooperation Project Integrated Competition’ fully supported by the Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA). The province plans to apply for this competition with the ‘P
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo During the phone conversation, the Presidents of Kazakhstan and Korea confirmed their desire to further strengthen multifaceted relations between the two countries on July 23. They thoroughly exchanged views on a wide range of bilateral cooperation. In particular, the leaders reaffirmed an interest in intensifying cooperation in the trade, economic, cultural and humanitarian spheres. The importance of effective implementation of current and promising projects in the field of industry, energy, automotive, education, and medicine was emphasized. President Lee Jae
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “Today is the USA is the ‘hottest’ and most respected country anywhere in the world,” said U.S. President Trump in the Truth Social post celebrating 6 months of his second term on July 20, 2025. He said, “One year ago our country was dead, with almost no hope of revival. Six months is not a long time to have totally revived a major country. However, we got a lot of good and great things done, including ending numerous wars of countries not related to us other than through trade and/or, in certain cases, friendship.” U.S. President Trump said, “Today is that six
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo A video of the Italian Ambassador to Korea Emilia Gatto wearing Hanbok and giving a Korean speech at an event celebrating the National Foundation Day of Italy has belatedly become a hot topic online. A video of the ‘Italian Republic Day Commemoration Ceremony’ held at the Italian Ambassador’s residence in Hannam-dong, Yongsan-gu, Seoul on June 2 was uploaded to Italian broadcaster Alberto Mondi’s YouTube channel. This event is a national event commemorating Italy’s independence and establishment of the Republic. On this day, Italian Ambassador Emilia Gatto appe
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “Iran’s capacity for food exports—particularly high-quality seafood such as shrimp and fish from the southern regions—represents a promising new frontier for expanding trade and export cooperation with South Korea,” said Ambassador of Iran to South Korea on July 18. In an exclusive interview with the Diplomacy Journal held at the Embassy of DRC in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, Amb. Saeed Koozechi said, “With targeted expertise and joint investments, these sectors in Iran are well positioned for further growth and development.” Noting that the volume of bilateral trade bet