By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Dr. Mohammed Mustafa Juma Almuntafeky, Head of Mission of the Embassy of the Republic of Iraq in Seoul, to Diplomacy Journal for publication. –Ed. The Iraqi economy has witnessed significant and remarkable improvements over the past few years. According to the latest international economic indicators, Iraq has entered a new phase of recovery and growth, amid significant transformations that reflect a tangible improvement in economic performance and enhance confidence in the national economy among local and international
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Yoon Young-mi, chairman of Korea Importers Association (KOIMA), held a meeting with Ecuadorian Ambassador to Korea Patricio Esteban Troya Suarez at the KOIMA office in Seoul on May 8 to discuss ways to expand bilateral trade. “Ecuador is a country that is competitive in various industries such as shrimp, bananas, cacao, coffee, and flowers,” said Ambassador Suarez, ”and we are about to sign the Strategic Economic Cooperation Agreement (SECA) to expand trade with Korea.” He added that he hopes the agreement will further strengthen the partnership as a hub for ex
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Cardinal Robert Prevost of the United States has been elected the first US pontiff in the 2,000-year history of the Catholic Church and has taken the name Pope Leo XIV, the Vatican News reported. Pope Leo made his first public appearance to impart a blessing from the roofed area of St Peter’s Basilica. In his first public words, Pope Leo told the faithful “peace be with all of you”. He emphasised the theme of peace throughout the address. He told the crowd, “Evil will not prevail; we are in the hands of God. So without fear, united hand in hand with God and amo
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo SML Biopharm, a South Korea-based biotech company specializing in mRNA-based therapeutics, announced on May 8 that it has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with French biotechnology firm Affilogic to collaborate on the development of next-generation targeted drugs using mRNA-LNP (lipid nanoparticle) technology. The agreement aims to integrate Affilogic’s proprietary Nanofitin targeting technology with SML Biopharm’s mRNA-LNP platform. Under the MOU, the two companies will explore opportunities to combine their respective core technologies to develop in
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Thai Ambassador to Korea Tanee Sangrat has joined a 1 million-signature relay campaign calling for the construction of a private runway at Cheongju International Airport. Chungcheongbuk-do province announced on May 7 that Thai Ambassador Tanee Sangrat has become the first foreign ambassador to sign a petition calling for the construction of a dedicated runway for civilian aircraft at Cheongju International Airport. “The lack of flights is the biggest obstacle to expanding people-to-people exchanges between the two countries,” said Thai Ambassador Tanee Sangrat,
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The 'British Culture Village', a complex cultural and educational space with British residential, cultural, and commercial facilities, will be built in Myeongji International New Town in Gangseo-gu, Busan. According to the Busan City on May 7, a four-party business agreement (MOU) was signed with the British Embassy in Korea, the Busan Jinhae Free Economic Zone Authority, the Royal Russell School Busan Campus Establishment Promotion Team, and the British Chamber of Commerce in Korea to create the 'British Cultural Village' in Busan City Hall. The British Cultur
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo SK bioscience has been selected for the Korea Disease Control and Prevention Agency (KDCA)’s Priority Infectious Disease Pandemic Preparedness Rapid R&D Support Program, the company said on May 6. This government-led initiative aims to develop vaccines against avian influenza – identified as a high-risk candidate for the next pandemic. SK bioscience was chosen for its proven technological capabilities as the only domestic company to have commercialized cell-culture-based vaccines for both influenza and COVID-19. Under the program, SK bioscience and KDCA wil
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo About 70 famous musicians from Korea and Myanmar participated, and the event was held successfully for 2 hours with ensemble performances and folk performances. The '2025 Korea-Myanmar Exchange Concert Go With' event was held successfully at the Hansung Baekje Hall in Seoul on April 26, 2025, hosted and organized by the Korea Arts and Culture Exchange Association and sponsored by Pablus Harmonica, etc. Hong Seung-hee, the president of the Korea Arts and Culture Exchange Association who planned and directed this event, said in her opening remarks, “I would like
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI, President & CEO Marie Antonia von Schönburg) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with NVISIONS (operating Dialogue in the Dark) in Seoul, South Korea on May 7, to strengthen their partnership and advance shared values of inclusion, diversity, and responsible business practices. This partnership marks a significant milestone in KGCCI’s efforts to foster diversity, equity, and inclusion (DEI) through impactful corporate social responsibility (CSR) programs. Originating in Germany, Dialogue in t
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Hanwha Systems will take charge of developing the multi-function radar of LAMD(Low Altitude Missile Defense) often referred to as ‘Korean-style Iron Dome’, the company announced on April 30. Hanwha systems had been selected as the prototype developer for the LAMD multi-function radar, a project led by the Agency for Defense Development (ADD). The contract is valued at KRW 131.5 billion and is scheduled for completion by November 2028. Hanwha systems aims to develop a next-generation radar system that surpasses the capabilities of Israel`s Iron Dome in handling
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “Azerbaijan is intensively investing in advancement of Alat Free Economic Zone. Alat Free Economic Zone with its multiple advantages for the investors is a unique opportunity for Korean companies and investors willing to engage with our region,” said Ambassador Ramin Hasanov of the Republic of Azerbaijan to South Korea on April 30. Delivering welcoming remarks at an event entitled, “Alat Free Economic Zone: unlocking potential for Korean manufacturing companies,” Ambassador Hasanov said, “Its central location and proximity to large production and export centers
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo SK bioscience announced on May 1 that the company co-hosted the 2025 Park Mahn Hoon Award with the International Vaccine Institute (IVI), the world’s only international organization devoted to the discovery, development, and delivery of vaccines for global health, at the Four Seasons Hotel in Seoul on April 30. Now in its fourth year, this year’s Park Mahn Hoon Award honored four distinguished recipients: △Prof. Pierre van Dammeand and Dr. Ananda Sankar Bandyopadhyay, recognized for their leadership in vaccine research, including the development of a geneticall
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Former Prime Minister Han Duck-soo declared his candidacy for the presidential election at the National Assembly on May 2. He promised a constitutional reform that includes checks, balances and decentralization. His three main campaign pledges were constitutional reform, trade and diplomacy, and national unity. Former Prime Minister Han said, "The world is in a period of great transformation, where the trade order is rapidly changing and the international order is in flux. In Korea, conflicts and divisions are shaking the foundation of the community." He said,
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Gyeongsangbuk-do Province, together with the Gyeongbuk Culture and Tourism Organization, hosted ambassadors from seven Arab countries in Korea for a two-day ‘Silla-Arab Silk Road Familiarization Tour’ in Pohang and Gyeongju. The Fam tour was attended by seven ambassadors from the United Arab Emirates, Oman, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain, Iraq, Morocco, and Tunisia, along with two spouses and five officials from the Korea-Arab Society. The ambassadors toured industrial facilities such as POSCO Headquarters and Wolseong Nuclear Power Headquarters, as well as major Silla
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Venezuela and South Korea, the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela held a special exhibition at Gallery Soma in the Olympic Park in Seoul on April 29. The art exhibition titled, “SOMA SCULPTURE ART PLATFORM (SSAP),” presented sculpture works by Korean artist Moon Shin and Venezuelan artist Jesus Rafael Soto. “It was a meaningful time to see new works by Venezuelan and Korean artists on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Venezuel