By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Seoul Blind Union on April 30 to deepen their cooperation and advance joint corporate social responsibility (CSR) efforts focused on inclusion and support for individuals with visual impairments. The MoU, signed on April 30th, marks a meaningful milestone in KGCCI’s growing social impact agenda and underscores the German business community’s collective commitment to creating a more inclusive and compassionate society in Korea beyond business. This partnership
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Minister of Environment Kim Wan-sup met with 60 ambassadors and deputy ambassadors of foreign diplomatic missions to Korea and emphasized joint cooperation with the international community to respond to environmental crises. Ahead of the official event of ‘World Environment Day’ to be held on Jeju Island on June 5 with the theme of ‘Ending Plastic Pollution’, he requested support and participation from ministers of partner countries. The Ministry of Environment held the ‘Climate and Environment Discussion of Foreign Diplomatic Missions to Korea’ at Lotte Hotel
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Deputy Finance Minister Julapun Amornvivat of Thailand has invited South Korean investors to invest in the Thai government’s sustainable finance initiatives. “I would like to invite South Korean investors to invest in the financial sector in Thailand through the Thai government’s newly unveiled Thailand Financial Hub initiatives,” Mr. Julapun told during the 2025 Ignite Thailand–Korea Business Forum held at the Lotte Hotel Seoul on April 22. Delivering a welcoming speech at the forum, Thai Ambassador to Korea Tanee Sangrat said, “This forum is the first importa
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Colombia is participating as the Guest Country of Honour at the 42nd edition of the Busan International Short Film Festival (BISFF), one of the most prestigious film events in Asia and a leading global platform for the exhibition and promotion of short films. The festival, which started from April 24, will last until April 29, in Busan, Republic of Korea. This milestone marks the first time a Latin American country has been granted this distinction, offering a valuable opportunity to showcase Colombia as a top-tier film destination in Latin America and to foste
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Dr. Eldor Aripov, Director of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, and Dr. Abdulaziz Sager, Chairman, Gulf Research Center (GRC), to Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. –Ed. In recent years, relations between Central Asia (CA) and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) have shown a steady and positive dynamic. The economic potential of the CA and GCC countries, complemented by a deepening political dialogue, mutual intere
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Embassies of five Central Asian countries (Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan, Uzbekistan) in the Republic of Korea and the Secretariat of the Central Asia–Korea Cooperation Forum jointly organized a special event to herald the tourism potential of Central Asia at Korea Foundation Seminar Room in Seoul on April 23. At the forum, Dr. Kim Ju yeon, the author of the book titled “Central Asia, the Curtain Rises: 12 Stories Unearthed from the Steppes” also held a book presentation session. Ambassadors of the Central Asian countries, including Nurgali A
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo SK bioscience, a global innovative vaccine and biotech company committed to promoting human health from prevention to cure, announced on April 23 that it has won a final victory in a patent invalidation lawsuit against Moderna, the global developer of mRNA COVID-19 vaccines. SK bioscience filed the nullity suit over the Moderna’s patent on ‘Modified nucleosides, nucleotides, and nucleic acids and uses thereof’ in 2023. This is the only registered patent related to mRNA manufacturing technology in Korea. After nearly two years of review, the Korean Intellectual
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Republic of Korea, Salohiddin Kirom, to Diplomacy Journal for publication. –Ed. On April 27, 2025, Tajikistan and the Republic of Korea will mark a significant milestone: 33 years of diplomatic relations. This anniversary is a testament to the enduring friendship and robust cooperation between our two nations. Since gaining independence, Tajikistan, under the wise leadership of President Emomali Rahmon, has achieved impressive strides in development. Our country boasts a st
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “Kyrgyzstan is a country of stunning natural beauty, rich cultural heritage, and warm hospitality. I would especially recommend Korean tourists to visit our country, often called as the Alps of Central Asia,” said Amb. of the Kyrgyz Republic to Korea Aida Ismailova on April 18. In an exclusive interview with Diplomacy Journal held at the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in Seoul, Amb. Ismailova said, “The Kyrgyz government is actively developing the tourism sector and implementing programs to attract foreign visitors. These include a visa-free regime for Korean c
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo | In partnership with the Ramon Magsaysay Award Foundation (RMAF) in Manila, the Philippine Embassy in Korea held the Magsaysay Laureate Reunion and Legacy Exchange event in honor of the Korean recipients of the Ramon Magsaysay Award at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul on April 22, 2025. The event, organized by the Philippine Embassy in Korea and the RMAF, was part of the celebrations of the 75th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Philippines and South Korea last year. Ambassador of the Philippines to Korea Maria Theresa B. Dizon-De Ve
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo From Rio to Ajaccio, circumnavigating the globe dozens of times if you consider the sheer number of kilometres travelled, Pope Francis’ 47 Apostolic Visits abroad took him and his message of closeness to every continent and almost every corner of the earth, the Vatican News reported. Throughout the years and journeys, it became increasingly clear that he set the tone immediately when he was photographed upon his departure to Brazil in 2013, carrying his little black bag as he climbed the steps into the aircraft. Then, during the flight, he walked up and down th
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Pope Francis, the first Latin American pontiff who charmed the world with his humble style and concern for the poor, has died on April 21 at the age of 88, the AP reported. The pope, who had recently been hospitalized and recovered due to severe pneumonia, was resuming his activities after returning to the Vatican. “At 7:35 this morning, the Bishop of Rome, Francis, returned to the home of the Father. His entire life was dedicated to the service of the Lord and of his Church,″ Cardinal Kevin Ferrell, the Vatican camerlengo, said in an announcement. Francis, who
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of India, Seoul and Korean Food Promotion Institute (KFPI) jointly organized a special Cooking demonstration session on April 17, 2025. Ambassador Amit Kumar, Director General Jeon Hae-woong, KFPI and Ambassador's Spouse Ms. Surabhi Kumar welcomed the guests to this session, which brought together vibrant flavors of India and Korea. The Indian and Korean Chefs, each presented a popular dish, offering a glimpse into the rich culinary traditions of the two countries. In his remarks DG Jeon expressed hoped that the session would provide the guests with
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Lee Yong-bae, CEO of Hyundai Rotem met with Ambassador of India to South Korea Amit Kumar at the Embassy of India in Seoul on April 16 to discuss possibility of cooperation between the two countries. During the meeting, the two sides discussed the possibility of cooperation on rail vehicles, defense, smart logistics, automation solutions, and hydrogen energy infrastructure. CEO Lee explained Hyundai Rotem's core business and its specialties such as eco-friendly technology development, product innovation, and timely delivery. Hyundai Rotem entered the Indian mar
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo H.E. Georg Schmidt, Ambassador of Germany to Korea, Joern Beissert, Deputy Ambassador of Germany to Korea, and Dennis Bloch, Economic Counsellor of the Embassy of Germany to Korea, visited the headquarters of Webasto Korea, an innovative system partner for the mobility industry and its production plant in Ulsan. The visit symbolizes Webasto Korea's growth and strengthening of its presence in the Korean market since becoming a fully owned subsidiary of the Webasto Group in 2019. The ambassador and his delegation toured production lines and met with management to