By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo A cultural program featuring Shashmaqom was held in Paris, France on June 11, 2025. This event was part of the celebration marking the 700th anniversary of Hafiz Shirazi, as well as the 50th anniversary of the Intergovernmental Hydrological Program, and the 60th anniversary of UNESCO Water Sciences. The program showcased performances by masters of Shashmaqom from Tajikistan. The event garnered significant attention from guests and forum participants alike. The performance of this unique, traditional musical heritage, which is inscribed on the UNESCO Intangible
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Lee Jae-myung's new administration has been launched with great momentum. In his inaugural address, Lee promised to be a government that protects the lives of the people, saying, “I will prioritize the livelihoods and economy of the people,” and clearly expressed his determination to unite the people by saying, “I will be the president of all the people.” This commitment can serve as a starting point for our society to come together again and paint a new hope for the future. Immediately after its launch, the new government will demonstrate its prese
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Lee Jae-myung, who arrived in Canada to attend the G7 summit, held consecutive meetings with the South African president and Australian prime minister. President Lee Jae-myung held a summit meeting with South African President Cyril Ramaphosa at around 2:40 p.m. of June 16 (local time). South Africa was invited to the G7 summit as an observer country, along with South Korea, India, Australia, Brazil, Mexico, and Ukraine. President Lee then held a summit meeting with Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese at a hotel in Calgary, Canada, at around
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Chung Yong-ki, CEO of Korea District Heating Corporation (KDHC), held a meeting with Aida Ismailova, Kyrgyz Ambassador to South Korea, at KDHC's headquarters in Bundang on June 10, and discussed practical cooperation measures for introducing the “K-heating” model in Kyrgyzstan. The meeting was an opportunity to explore specific cooperation possibilities for modernizing the aging district heating system and improving energy efficiency in Kyrgyzstan. At the meeting, CEO Chung introduced KDHC's achievements in regional heating modernization projects in Uzbekistan,
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Highland Agriculture Research Institute (HARI) and the Peruvian Embassy in the Republic of Korea celebrated the International Potato Day on May 30, established in the United Nations General Assembly in 2023, at the Institute’s headquarters in Pyeongchang, Gangwon Province. A working visit was organized to HARI’s modern facilities, which has nearly 100 scientists and researchers dedicated to the study of seeds, viruses, diseases, crops and harvests of potatoes, as part of its mission to develop and distribute potato and high-income crop varieties; and develo
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee One year and four months after establishing formal diplomatic relations with South Korea, Cuba officially opened its embassy in Seoul on June 10, 2025. The Cuban Embassy in South Korea held an opening ceremony at its new office in Jung-gu, Seoul. The ceremony was attended by Claudio Raúl Monzon Baeza, Cuban Ambassador to South Korea; Lee Joo-il, Director of the Latin America Division at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and members of the Latin American diplomatic corps in South Korea. The event included a signboard hanging ceremony and a reception. In his congrat
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Kim Seok-ki, chairman of the National Assembly Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, met with Ambassador Dumitru Socolan of Moldova to South Korea at the National Assembly on June 11 and exchanged opinions on the need to expand high-level exchanges to promote relations between the two countries and ways to strengthen cooperation between the two countries in various fields. Ambassador Socolan expressed his hope that the Moldovan Embassy in South Korea would be established, given that cooperation between the two countries has been strengthened in various field
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, attended the Uzbekistan national football team match at the Bunyodkor Stadium on June 10, the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul said. The final World Cup qualifying stage game became a true celebration of Uzbek football. However, Uzbekistan players had already secured a place at the World Cup ahead of schedule: for the first time in history, the Uzbekistan national team will participate in the FIFA World Cup! A dream cherished for many years by millions of fans has become a reality. Previously, the t
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Kazakhstan presented its national stand at the "International Space Summit 2025,” held in Daejeon on June 3, which was dedicated to the latest achievements and prospects for the development of the global space industry. The event brought together representatives from governmental and private organizations, scientists, investors, and diplomats to discuss key directions in the development of space technologies and international cooperation. The Kazakh delegation included Ambassador of Kazakhstan Nurgali Arystanov, Chairman of the Board of JSC "NC Kazakhstan Ghary
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Ambassador of Kazakhstan, Nurgali Arystanov, held a meeting with Park Hong-keun, Chairman of the Korea–Kazakhstan Inter-Parliamentary Friendship Group, at the National Assembly of the Republic of Korea on June 11, 2025. The two sides discussed a wide range of bilateral cooperation issues and reaffirmed their mutual interest in further deepening the expanded strategic partnership between Kazakhstan and Korea. Ambassador Arystanov congratulated the interlocutor on the election of Lee Jae-myung as President of the Republic of Korea and expressed confidence that th
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo President Lee Jae-myung will visit Canada for three days and one night starting on June 16 to attend the G7 summit. This will be his first overseas visit in about 10 days since taking office. National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac explained the significance of President Lee's attendance at the G7 Summit and the main schedule during a briefing on the morning of June 15. Wi said, “This schedule began with Canada's invitation to South Korea, demonstrating that the G7 has high expectations for South Korea, an economic powerhouse that has shown the strength of democr
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo IBK (Industrial Bank of Korea) has signed an MOU (Memorandum of Understanding) with the Luxembourg Embassy in South Korea. IBK announced on June 11 that it has signed an MOU with the Luxembourg Embassy in South Korea to support the successful entry of IBK innovative startups into European markets and their local commercialization. Through this agreement, IBK and the Luxembourg Embassy plan to jointly operate a program for domestic startups to enter the European market in the second half of this year. The program will focus on supporting participating companies
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo In celebration of the 10th Anniversary of the International Day of Yoga, the Indian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ICCK), in collaboration with the Embassy of India in Seoul and the Korean Yoga Association will hold a special Yoga event at Nami Island at 2:00 p.m. on June 28. The event will be held at O Stage, Nami Island's representative performance venue, from 2:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. for two hours, and will be conducted simultaneously in Korean and English, making it an international program that both domestic and foreign tourists can enjoy together. Participan
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo A delegation from Gyeongsangnam-do Province, led by Governor Park Wan-soo, officially visited Pomeranian Voivodeship (province), Poland, on June 13 (local time) and signed an agreement to strengthen exchange and cooperation between the two regions. This visit was carried out to further solidify the ongoing exchange and cooperative relationship between Gyeongnam Province and Pomeranian Voivodeship and to promote mutual development in various fields such as economy, culture, and education. During his meeting with Deputy Prime Minister Marcin Skwierawski and Deput
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “Turkmenistan is home to a wealth of stunning natural landmarks. The picturesque landscapes of the Kopetdag Mountains, the diverse flora and fauna of the Karakum Desert, the banks of the Amu Darya River, Koytendag, the subtropical regions of southwestern Turkmenistan,” said H.E. Begench Durdyyev, Ambassador of Turkmenistan to the Republic of Korea. In an exclusive interview with the Diplomacy Journal held at the Embassy of Turkmenistan in Yonsan-gu, Seoul on June 12, Amb. Durdyyev said, “The Turkmen coast of the Caspian Sea, particularly the "Avaza" resort, are