By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The K-Folk Painting Invitational Exhibition, "Folk Painting, the Beauty of Korea," held in Minsk, Belarus, was more than just a simple exhibition. With over 6,000 local residents in attendance, it was a vivid testament to cultural diplomacy, demonstrating how the warm sensibility and artistic spirit of Korean folk painting transcends borders and permeates the hearts of a nation. Folk painting is a painting born from the everyday lives of nameless people, yet it embodies wisdom, hope, and the desire for peace. Tigers, lotuses, the sun and moon, fortune and longevi
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Measles deaths have dropped by 88 per cent since 2000 – yet an estimated 95,000 people, mostly children, still died from the virus last year, the UN World Health Organization (WHO) warned on Nov. 28. Officials said global outbreaks are accelerating as millions of children remain under-immunized following years of COVID-19 pandemic-related disruption, according to the UN News. “Measles remains one of the most contagious respiratory viruses,” said Dr. Kate O’Brien, WHO’s Director of Immunization, Vaccines and Biologicals. “One person can infect up to 18 others. Man
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Hanwha Aerospace, a subsidiary of Hanwha Group, has signed a 705 billion won contract with the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) for the mass production of the Long-range Surface-to-Air Missile (L-SAM) system, a central component of South Korea’s layered air and missile defense architecture. Under the pact, Hanwha Aerospace will manufacture and deliver L-SAM launchers and anti-ballistic missiles to the Republic of Korea Armed Forces through 2030. By adding a higher-altitude interception layer, the system enables earlier engagement of incoming ball
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The final participating teams of the '2025 Korea-Africa Startup Competition' visited Nairobi, Kenya, for a week-long local bootcamp from November 7 to 14, the Korea-Africa Foundation said. During the bootcamp, the teams visited various relevant organizations, including Kenyan unicorn startup M-Pesa, fintech startup Pezesha, the Kenya Export Promotion and Branding Agency (a government organization), and Jomo Kenyatta University of Agriculture and Technology. This provided an opportunity to deepen their understanding of the Kenyan business ecosystem and explore mar
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The “EU Food Market & Networking” event was held under the sponsorship of the European Union (EU) on November 25 at the Floating Island Convention Hall on Sebitseom in Banpo, Seoul. Under the slogan of “Colours by Europe, Tastes of Excellence,” the event brought together experts from Korea’s food and beverage industry as well as media representatives to explore the quality and appeal of European agri-food products and discuss future cooperation opportunities. The event began with opening remarks by Kim Mi-kyung, Trade Officer at the EU Delegation to Korea, fo
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The Korea-Africa Foundation held an Af-PRO (Africa Professional) lecture on November 18 at Busan University of Foreign Studies. This lecture, delivered by Yang Moon-hee, CEO of Lili, was presented under the theme “Dance, Community, and Life: The Power of Art from West Africa,” reflecting her deep passion for West African dance and artistic expression. Yang began her journey in dance through classical ballet in elementary school, later developing a strong interest in Black music and dance during her junior year of university in the United States. This experience i
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Tourism Organization hosted 2025 The Souvenir Fair from November 21 to 23 at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). On November 21, Second Vice Minister Kim Dae-hyun of MCST visited the venue to mark the opening of Korea’s only tourism souvenir fair and to encourage the winners of this year’s souvenir competition. In celebration of its fourth year, the ministry has expanded both the duration (from two to three days) and scale (from 107 to 134 booths) of the fair to ensure more visitors can enjoy a wider selection
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) announced the Namdaemun Market Innovation Project to transform Namdaemun Market into a Global Heritage Traditional Market. The market boasts 600 years of history and is Korea’s largest traditional marketplace with about 20,000 wholesale and retail shops. At the center of Namdaemun Market, an arcade inspired by the eaves of a hanok will highlight its history and identity. A multi-level pedestrian path overlooking Sungnyemun Gate will guide visitors through the area. The path between Namsan Mountain and Namdaemun Market will
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Kia Corporation celebrated the completion of its dedicated Platform Beyond Vehicle (PBV) facility, the Hwaseong EVO Plant East, and the breaking of ground for the EVO Plant West, a large-scale PBV production facility in Korea on Nov. 14. Combined, Kia will have an annual PBV production capacity of 250,000 units as part of its aim to establish a future PBV production hub. The ceremony was held at Kia’s AutoLand Hwaseong plant, located in Gyeonggi Province, South Korea. The event was attended by around 200 guests, including Min-seok Kim, Prime Minister of the Repub
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) has created the Yongmasan Skywalk Observatory on Seoul Trail Course 4 for clear views of both forest and city scenery. Seoul Trail is a citywide trekking route comprised of 21 connected paths that follow mountains, rivers, and village roads around the outer edge of Seoul. The full course extends for 156.5 km. The Yongmasan Skywalk Observatory is the first project built under Seoul Trail 2.0 to add a fresh spatial experience. Yongmasan Mountain is the highest mountain in Jungnang-gu with an elevation of 348 m. The trail is w
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The 2025 International Cooperation Meet-up Day for Middle Market Enterprises, hosted by the Federation of Middle Market Enterprises of Korea (FOMEK) and the Korea Importers Association (KOIMA), was held on November 17, at the Fairmont Ambassador Seoul. The event brought together around 80 participants, including FOMEK Chairman Choi Jin-shik, KOIMA President Youn Young-mi, MOTIR Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo, Dato' Mohd Zamruni bin Khalid, Ambassador of Malaysia to the Republic of Korea, other ASEAN ambassadors stationed in Korea, and representatives from Dongsung an
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee | There is someone who has developed this kimchi not merely as a food item, but as a healthy dish embodying Korean culture and science. That person is Kimchi Master Kim Soon-ja, CEO of Seohan Food Co. The 40-year-old kimchi master brand, previously known as ‘Hansung Food’, has declared its full-scale leap into the global market under its new name, ‘Seohan Food Co.’ This company name change is seen not merely as a brand refresh, but as a milestone elevating the Korean kimchi industry to a new level. It builds upon CEO Kim Soon-ja's 40 years of accumulated fermenta
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee As the biohealth industry rapidly emerges as a key future growth engine for the nation, the importance of a comprehensive support platform spanning the entire lifecycle is growing rapidly. The Osong Advanced Medical Industry Promotion Foundation (KBIOHealth), located in Osong, Chungcheongbuk-do, is Korea's only comprehensive bio support institution. It supports the entire process from research and development (R&D) through non-clinical studies, clinical trials, prototype production, quality control, licensing, commercialization, and global expansion—ensuring
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM), led by Chairman and CEO James Kim, met with Ju Biung-ghi, newly appointed Chairperson of the Korea Fair Trade Commission (KFTC), on Nov. 6 at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul to exchange views on the new administration’s fair trade policy direction and key issues faced by global companies operating in the Korean market. As part of Chairperson Ju’s ongoing series of industry outreach efforts following his appointment, this meeting served as a platform to discuss the new administration’s fair trade policy priorities a
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Praying for the successful hosting of the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul, the ‘Concert of Love’ commemorating the 78th anniversary of the establishment of Jamwon-dong Cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul will be held on the evening of November 15 in the main sanctuary. This concert will be open to all, featuring free admission and open seating, designed as an inclusive festival for both parishioners and local residents. Amidst the gentle melodies enveloping late autumn, the parish community will share a time of faith filled with hope and love. Ahead of t