By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Hanwha Aerospace has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Akkodis Nordics, a Norway-based company in digital engineering and solutions on October 21 at the Seoul International Aerospace & Defense Exhibition (ADEX) 2025. This agreement establishes a partnership to jointly develop a state-of-the-art simulator for the Chunmoo Multiple Rocket Launcher System. The ceremony was attended by Mr. Billy Boo-hwan Lee, Head of PGM Business Group at Hanwha Aerospace, and Mr. Sebastian Eidem, Vice President of Operations at Akkodis Nordics. This strategic part
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Indian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ICCK) announced its much-awaited annual signature event, the Diwali Ball 2025, to be hosted this year at the prestigious Fairmont Ambassador Hotel Seoul on December 5. After a decade of prestigious gatherings fostering India-Korea business ties and cultural exchange, this year’s event promises an exceptional evening of networking, entertainment, and celebration. India and South Korea share a robust and growing economic partnership with roots tracing back to the late 1960s and formal diplomatic ties established in 1973. O
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province on October 31, the Donald Trump administration is replacing Joseph Yun, the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in South Korea. Appointed by former U.S. President Joe Biden, Yun was named to the position on January 10, ten days before President Trump's term began. According to diplomatic sources, Kevin Kim, the U.S. State Department’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, is being considered as his successor. This marks the second time in just nine mo
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Thirteen spouses of foreign ambassadors to Korea who visited Hahoe Village in Andong, North Gyeongsang Province, unanimously remarked on Oct. 14, “We truly felt that the deep history and culture possessed by North Gyeongsang Province form the roots of today's K-pop and the Korean Wave.” They also described Gyeongbuk as “the hub of the Korean Wave where tradition and modernity coexist.” Gyeongbuk Province hosted the Association of Spouses of Ambassadors to South Korea (ASAS) for a two-day cultural experience program starting on Oct. 13. The aim was to introduce
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Samsung C&T (SCT), Samsung Electronics (SEC), and GRAIL, Inc. (Nasdaq: GRAL), announced on Oct. 17 that they have signed a binding Letter of Intent for a strategic collaboration to bring GRAIL’s GalleriⓇ multi-cancer early detection (MCED) test to key Asian markets. SCT and SEC have also agreed to invest $110 million into GRAIL, a healthcare company whose mission is to detect cancer early when it can be cured, at a price of $70.05 per share of common stock. “Guided by its commitment to advancing next-generation bio-technologies and improving quality of life
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Choi Yong-Ha, former Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Uzbekistan, on his perspective on President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to New York and meeting with the President of South Korea to the Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. –Ed. September 2025 marked a pivotal moment in Uzbekistan’s international diplomacy. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to New York to participate in the 80th anniversary session of the United Nations General Assembly not only underscored the country
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Hyundai Motor Group signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the APEC Preparatory Office under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Oct. 15 to provide official vehicles for the upcoming Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) Economic Leaders’ Meeting, set to take place in Gyeongju, Korea, from October 31 to November 1. About 200 vehicles will be deployed, including 113 Genesis G90 sedans, 74 Genesis G80 sedans, three Universe hydrogen electric buses, and two mobile office buses. The vehicles will be used as protocol vehicles and for operational support d
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Choi Jin-shik, Chairman of the Federation of Middle Market Enterprises of Korea (FOMEK), met with Tarash Papaskua, Ambassador of Georgia to South Korea, on October 14. He stated, “Amid rapidly changing global trade and economic conditions, New Eurasia could be a good option as a breakthrough for diversifying exports and supply chains for Korean mid-sized enterprises.” Chairman Choi emphasized, “To improve the export environment and secure stable supply chains, we must reduce our high dependence on China and the United States,” adding, “Georgia, the first countr
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of Peru in the Republic of Korea celebrated the third edition of “Alpaca Day in Korea” at Alpaca World in Hongcheon, Gangwon Province, together with the institution’s management team, on September 7. This event, held for the third consecutive year, highlighted the cultural and economic importance of the alpaca, a millenary animal native to Peru and widely appreciated in Korea. Peru is home to over 80% of the world’s alpaca population, domesticated more than 6,000 years ago, making the country the leading producer of this fine and thermoregulating na
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Indian Naval Ship Sahyadri, as part of ongoing operational deployment to the South China Sea and Indo-Pacific, made a port call at Busan Naval Harbour, South Korea, on Oct 13, 2025 to participate in the maiden Indian Navy (IN) – Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) Bilateral Exercise. The RoKN extended a warm welcome underscoring the burgeoning Navy-to-Navy interactions and Strategic Partnership between the Governments of India and the Republic of Korea. Indigenously designed, constructed, and commissioned in 2012, INS Sahyadri is the third ship of the Shivalik Class
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of the Dominican Republic in the Republic of Korea captivated Korean guests with an exclusive cultural soirée: “Dominican Cigar & Rum Night in Korea”, held on the occasion of the official visit of Ms. Biviana Riveiro, Executive Director of ProDominicana. The event stood out as a refined and one-of-a-kind evening where Dominican tradition and excellence took center stage in the heart of Seoul. In her welcome remarks, Ambassador Angie Martínez, Head of Mission in Seoul, stated: “Tonight, as we pay tribute to two of the most emblematic symbols of o
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo SK bioscience announced on Oct. 15 that it has submitted a Phase 1/2 clinical trial application in Australia for GBP511, a universal coronavirus vaccine (pan-sarbecovirus vaccine) candidate. Sarbecoviruses, a subgenus of coronaviruses, include SARS-CoV-2 (COVID-19), the original SARS virus, and related variants. GBP511 is designed to provide broad protection across the sarbecovirus family, moving beyond the strain-specific approach of existing COVID-19 vaccines. The trial will enroll approximately 500 healthy adults aged 18 and older in Australia, and will eval
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Seoul Plaza came alive with the colors, sounds, and flavors of Peru during the “Peru Day” celebration held on September 20 and 21. The event was organized in collaboration with the Embassy of Peru in Korea as part of the “Outdoor Library” program hosted annually by the Seoul Metropolitan Library. The Peruvian Pavilion transformed Seoul Plaza into a lively cultural space where thousands of visitors of all ages experienced Peru’s rich heritage through a variety of engaging activities designed for both children and adults. Visitors painted Ayacucho retablos and cu
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Zhambyl Kazakh State Academic Philharmonic showcased a vibrant concert program, while the brand “Tarbiya” presented a collection of traditional Kazakh clothing during events held in Gwangju and Seoul on Oct. 4-6, with the support of the Asian Cultural Center, the Secretariat of the Central Asia–Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum, and the Central Asia–Republic of Korea Friendship Association. The events were attended by Rhee Jong Kook, Executive Director of the Secretariat of the Central Asia–Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum; Kim Sanguk, President of the
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Dunyo Information Agency (MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan) to the Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. – Ed. At the conclusion of the 42nd session of the UNESCO General Conference, held in Paris from 7 to 22 November 2023, a historic decision was adopted to convene the next session—the 43rd session—in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in 2025. The resolution received unanimous support from all 194 Member States of the Organization, serving as a high-level recognition of the comprehensive r