By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “Navruz is a celebration of humanity's connection with nature, inspiring constructive and prosperous actions and bestowing inspiration and strength,” said H.E. Salohiddin Kirom, Amb. of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Republic of Korea on April 5. Delivering a congratulatory message on the occasion of celebration of International Navruz Holiday, Amb. Salohiddin Kirom said at a festive event held at Embassy Building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, “As the Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon,
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Kim Wae-cheol, director of the National Ocean Science Museum (NOSM), was invited to an official luncheon by Norwegian Ambassador to Korea Anne Kari Hansen Ovind on March 28, 2025 and expressed his gratitude for the cooperation and pledged to continue exchanges in the future, including international cooperation exhibitions and beach-plogging marine activities. In July last year, the National Ocean Science Museum successfully hosted a special exhibition on international cooperation, 'Go into action! Polar Expedition'. The exhibition ran for 100 days in cooperatio
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of the Republic of Tajikistan hosted the International Jewelry Forum and Exhibition, " At the origins of Oxus Treasure", in Dushanbe, coinciding with the International Nowruz celebrations. This event, held over three days (from the March 24 to the March 26, 2025), took place at the Dushanbe Expo Center. The opening ceremony was attended by the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Kholikzoda Hokim Khikmatullo, alongside heads of local executive bodies, ministers and department heads from par
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Seocho-gu signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Embassy of the Czech Republic in Seoul to create the Václav Havel Bench and promote bilateral friendship and cooperation in the 5th floor conference room of Seocho-gu Office on April 1. The signing ceremony was attended by Seocho-gu Mayor Jeon Seong-soo, Czech Ambassador to Korea Ivan Jančarek, attorney Lim Jung-hyuk of the Korea-Czech Future Forum, officials from the sponsor Hyundai Motor Company, the Seocho-gu International Exchange Council, and local residents. After explaining the project, Seocho
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article is an exclusive interview given by the President of Uzbekistan to Euronews on the eve of the first Central Asia-European Union summit to be held in Samarkand on April 3-4 this year. It was contributed by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul to Diplomacy Journal for publication. –Ed. The upcoming summit in Samarkand will be truly historic as it will bring together for the first time the leaders of the five Central Asian countries and the EU in one place, Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev said in a Euronews exclusive. The Central Asia-EU
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Woori Bank, led by CEO Jung Jin-wan, opened a Polish branch in Warsaw, the capital of Poland, on March 31 as the first Korean bank to expand its strategic base in Europe. Poland has served as a production base and logistics center in Europe, connecting both Eastern and Western Europe. In 2017, Woori Bank opened an office in Katowice, a southwestern industrial city with a large number of local subsidiaries of domestic companies, and has been providing financial support to these companies, including financing and brokerage services. The opening ceremony was atten
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Hanjin Travel announced on March 31 that it has discussed with the Embassy of Lithuania in Seoul how to cooperate in promoting and expanding tourism to Lithuania. The meeting was held at Hanjin's headquarters in Sogong-ro, Jung-gu, Seoul, on March 25, and was attended by CEO Lee Jang-hoon, Lithuanian Ambassador to Korea Ricardas Šlepavicius, and other officials. The meeting was organized to explore ways to promote Lithuanian tourism and discuss ways to cooperate to raise awareness of Lithuania in the Korean market. The Lithuanian Embassy thanked Hanjin for its
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo On March 31 2025, Presidents Emomali Rahmon of Tajikistan, Sadyr Japarov of Kyrgyzstan, and Shavkat Mirziyoyev of Uzbekistan celebrated the international holiday of Navruz at the '20th Anniversary of Independence of Tajikistan' stadium. The event featured a joint cultural program showcasing artists from all three nations. President Rahmon, in his address, extended warm Navruz greetings to the visiting heads of state, the people of Tajikistan, Kyrgyzstan, and Uzbekistan, and international guests in Khujand. Highlighting Navruz's significance, President Rahmon em
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul to Diplomacy Journal for publication. –Ed. In recent years, Uzbekistan and the European Union have been steadily expanding their trade, economic, investment, and financial-technical cooperation. The most active bilateral engagements across various levels have taken place over the past eight years, driven by the focused policy of the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev. Strengthening political dialogue and supporting reforms have become key pillars of both bilater
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Thirty-three families of ambassadors from 12 countries visited Everland, operated by Samsung C&T's resort division, to experience the spring flower garden and Korean garden culture. According to Everland on March 29, the families of ambassadors from 12 countries, including the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Mexico, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Ireland, Ukraine, Colombia, Peru, and Australia, visited the Tulip Festival, a representative spring festival. The visit was organized by the spouse of Peter van der Vliet, Ambassador of the Netherlands, the “Land of
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Korea Foundation Gallery in Seoul hosted the opening of "A Sombre Aspect", a compelling photography exhibition by renowned Peruvian artist Roberto Huarcaya, organized by the Embassy of Peru in the Republic of Korea, on March 27. The event brought together an eclectic mix of prominent artists, ambassadors, and members of the diplomatic corps. The evening began with heartfelt opening remarks that set a reflective tone for the night. Huarcaya then personally guided attendees through his evocative collection, offering intimate insights into the powerful themes
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI) has designated Marie Antonia von Schönburg as its next CEO and President, the KGCCI said on March 31. With over two decades of experience in international business relations, von Schönburg has been fostering collaboration between German and foreign enterprises. Most recently, she served as Chief delegate at the Delegation of German Industry and Commerce in Sri Lanka, following her work as Head of the Barcelona Delegation, Deputy Director and Head of Membership and Events at the German Chamber of Commerc
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Global healthcare-specialized company Ilhwa has successfully exported its products to Ukraine, establishing a new bridgehead to the Eurasian market after Russia and Kazakhstan. The company, a member of the Federation of Small and Medium-sized Enterprises of Korea, announced on March 24 that it is introducing 26 types of 63,000 products to the Ukrainian market for the first time. The first shipment consisted of Tingle, a juicy soda brand launched in December last year, as well as barley soda “McCall,” fruit-flavored soda “Top C,” and zero-calorie soda “brrr.” “W
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo From March 24 to 29, members of the delegation of the Ministry of Ecology are on a working visit to the Republic of Korea with the aim of expanding cooperation in the areas of improving environmental assessment and environmental impact assessment systems, as well as strategic environmental assessment and achieving carbon neutrality, the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul said. As part of the visit, on March 24, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the State Environmental Expertise Center and the Korea Environment Institute. This memorandum provides for:
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Academician Prof. Akmal Saidov, Deputy of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis (Parliament) of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Vice-President of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (2020-2023), to Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. –Ed. In April 2025, Tashkent will host the 150th anniversary Assembly of the Inter-Parliamentary Union (IPU) for the first time in the history of Central Asia. This event brings together over 2000 parliamentarians from more than 100 national parliaments,