By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo During the International Forum on Important Minerals (INFOCM 2025) held in Seoul, Republic of Korea, which commenced on May 12-13, 2025, the geological authorities of Tajikistan and Korea formalized a collaborative partnership. A Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) was signed between the Main Department of Geology under the Government of the Republic of Tajikistan, represented by its Head, Ilhomjon Oimuhammadzoda, and the Korean Institute of Geosciences and Mineral Resources, represented by its President, Dr. Pyeong Ku Lee. This MOU establishes a framework for co
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Ahliddin Ibodullozoda, Rector of the Tajik State Pedagogical University named after Sadriddin Ayni and a representative of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Republic of Tajikistan, held a meeting with Yang O-Bong, President of Jeonbuk National University of the Republic of Korea, on May 14, 2025 as part of a working visit to South Korea. During the meeting, the parties discussed expanding cooperation in areas such as academic exchange of students and faculty, organizing joint conferences, inviting professors to deliver lectures, sharing scientific an
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Shin Kwang-yul, chairman of the International Conference on Foreigners Welfare (ICFW), invited Asian ambassadors to lunch on May 13 to share stories in celebration of Korea’s May Family Month. While meeting with Asian ambassadors, ICFW Chairman Shin asked, “What kind of detailed education is needed for foreigners, foreign workers, students, and immigrants to develop their lives in Korea and how can they get close to Koreans; show good manners to them, and receive good attention and respect from them as brothers and sisters?” In response to the question, Thai Am
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of the Sultanate of Oman in the Republic of Korea organized a special event on May 19, 2025, to plant the Omani frankincense tree, along with the flower of His Majesty Sultan Qaboos bin Said (may Allah grant him peace), the flower of His Majesty Sultan Haitham bin Tarik (may Allah protect him), and the flower of Her Excellency Sayyida Ahd bint Abdullah Al Said in the Seoul Botanical Garden. This event is part of the embassy's ongoing efforts to enhance cultural and environmental exchange between the Sultanate of Oman and the Republic of Korea, highl
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo A presentation of the new direct flight between Shymkent and Seoul by SCAT Airlines took place in the capital of South Korea on May 15. The flight is scheduled to launch on May 29, 2025. The event brought together more than 70 leading Korean tour operators and media representatives, highlighting the growing interest in expanding tourism and business exchanges between the two countries. With the launch of this route, Kazakhstan and Korea will be connected by 15 direct flights per week, including flights from Astana and Almaty. The new connection marks an importa
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Gyeongsangnam-do Province Governor Park Wan-soo, who met with Mongolian Ambassador to Korea Sukhee Sukhbold on May 16, said, “I look forward to further expanding cultural and economic exchanges between Gyeongnam and Mongolia.” The meeting took place during Ambassador Sukhbold's visit to Changwon. Mongolia is the host country of MAMF, Asia's largest multicultural festival, which will be held in Changwon from October 24 to 26. This year marks the 35th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Korea and Mongolia and the 20th anniversary of the MAMF festival, and t
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Patricio Esteban Troya Suarez, Ambassador of Ecuador to the Republic of Korea, visited the Ministry of Government Legislation (MOLEG) and met with Minister Lee Wan-kyu on May 19. During the visit, the two shared that Ecuador's internal approval process for the entry into force of the Korea-Ecuador Strategic Economic Cooperation Agreement (SECA) has been completed, and requested the interest and cooperation of the Ministry of Government Legislation in Korea's internal approval process. “The MOLEG is of great significance as it provides for the elimination of tar
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) and the Korea Trade-Investment Promotion Agency (KOTRA) signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on May 15 at KOTRA headquarters to establish a strategic partnership aimed at enhancing the trade and investment environment for foreign-invested companies in Korea. Through this agreement, AMCHAM and KOTRA will work closely together to promote regulatory reform and support initiatives that advance the U.S.-Korea economic partnership. To facilitate this collaboration, the two organizations will establish a joint w
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo A delegation of the Embassy of Mongolia in Seoul visited Changwon City, Gyeongnam on May 15 to ensure the success of the Migrants’ Arirang Multicultural Festival (MAMF) 2025, a cultural diversity festival. Mongolia is the host country of the MAMF 2025. The visit was organized to check the status of preparations for the festival and discuss ways to collaborate with the Mongolian side on the overall event. MAMF is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year and will be held from Oct. 24 to 26 at Yongji Cultural Park, Seongsan Art Hall, and Jungang-daero with the t
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Astana International Financial Centre (AIFC) hosted the business event AIFC Connect in Seoul on May 21, 2025, aimed at strengthening commercial ties between Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea. The initiative also sought to foster new partnerships and encourage Korean entrepreneurs to engage in joint ventures through the AIFC platform. Nurgali Arystanov, Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary of the Republic of Kazakhstan to the Republic of Korea, delivered a welcoming speech in which he emphasized the high level of the expanded strategic partnership
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Park Il-young, CEO of Korea Investment Corporation (KIC), met with Indian Ambassador to Korea Amit Kumar to discuss investment. According to the KIC on May 19, Park and Amb. Kumar met on Nov. 16. The two sides talked about expanding Korea’s investment in India. Korea Investment Corporation established its Mumbai office in April last year. It is the first overseas office in an emerging country. KIC plans to focus on securing promising alternative investment projects. It is focusing on venture capital (VC) and private equity (PE) investment opportunities stemming
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Jung-gu, Seoul, led by Mayor Kim Gil-sung, announced on May 19 that it will showcase the interior of Habib House, the residence of the U.S. Embassy in Seoul, as an online content to mark the 11th anniversary of the ‘Jungdong Nightlife’ Festival. To this end, Mayor Kim visited Habib House with two Jung-gu influencers on March 14 and had a meeting with U.S. Interim Ambassador to Korea Joseph Yun and filmed the interior of the residence. The content production was finalized when Mayor Kim reached out to the U.S. Embassy to express his desire to include the residence
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Gochang-gun, Jeollabuk-do, held a meeting with Gareth Weir, British Deputy Ambassador to Korea, and the British Embassy's Climate and Energy Team on May 16 to discuss in-depth the current state of climate, ecology, and energy. Mr. Gareth Weir is a climate diplomacy expert who has held senior positions in the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Development Office (FCDO) and has served as Deputy Chief of Mission at the British Embassy in Seoul since 2022, with experience in international development and climate policy in Nepal and Mozambique. The visit was part of the Br
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of Azerbaijan in Seoul hosted a reception to mark the 107th independence anniversary at the Grand Hyatt Hotel in Seoul on May 20, 2025. Delivering welcoming speech, Ambassador Ramin Hasanov of the Republic of Azerbaijan in Seoul said, “Azerbaijan's engagement and leadership have secured its strategic role at the cross between Europe and Asia. Azerbaijan has also undergone a successful political and economic growth, becoming a pivotal actor of international affairs. Azerbaijan also ended the long-lasted conflict with Armenia.” Noting that Azerbaijan
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of the Republic of Belarus in the Republic of Korea, together with representatives of the Belarusian diaspora, took part in the 17th Seongbuk Global Food Festival – Nurimasil on May 18,2025, organized by the administration of the Seongbuk district of Seoul. Belarusian diplomatic mission delighted the guests of the festival with traditional potato pancakes, crepes and other dishes of national cuisine, while both adults and children appreciated the Belarusian culinary delights. As part of the event, Ambassador of Belarus Andrew Chernetsky and his Spou