By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo LG Chem announced on Sept. 9 that Toyota Tsusho Corporation had acquired a 25% stake in LG-HY BCM, the company’s cathode materials plant in Gumi, thereby joining as the second-largest shareholder. Toyota Tsusho, the general trading company of the Toyota Group, plays a vital role in Toyota Motor’s raw material procurement. With Toyota Tsusho’s investment, the shareholding structure of the Gumi plant has shifted to LG Chem (51%), Toyota Tsusho (25%) and Huayou Cobalt (24%, down from 49%). This adjustment ensures the venture meets the newly redefined PFE criteria
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met separately with U.S. Senators Andy Kim (Democrat, New Jersey), Todd Young (Republican, Indiana), and Bill Hagerty (Republican, Tennessee) in Washington on September 10 and 11 (local time), exchanging views on the detention of Korean nationals and measures to improve the visa system to prevent recurrence, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs announced on September 12. Minister Cho stated, “Our citizens are deeply concerned about the situation where a large number of our professional personnel, who visited the U.S. to faithfully carry out i
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) hosted the “Blockchain Seminar 2025” on Sept. 10 at the Grand Intercontinental Seoul Parnas under the theme “Bridging Worlds: Traditional Finance Meets the Digital Economy.” The event brought together over 70 leaders from multinational corporations, financial institutions, and technology firms to explore how blockchain innovation is reshaping the global financial system and Korea’s role in this transformation. The seminar featured a distinguished lineup of global experts and thought leaders who shared insights
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun held a telephone conversation with Israeli Foreign Minister Gideon Sa’ar on September 3, during which the two sides exchanged views on Korea-Israel relations and regional affairs in the Middle East. This call also served as a courtesy exchange marking Minister Cho’s inauguration. Minister Sa’ar congratulated Minister Cho on his assumption of office and proposed maintaining close communication to deepen bilateral cooperation. Minister Cho appreciated that both countries have continued to develop friendly and cooperative relatio
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Samsung Electronics announced on Sept. 8 that its 2025 OLED TV (S95F model) has been officially certified as a Real Black display by the Verband der Elektrotechnik (VDE), a leading electrical engineering certification institute in Germany. By meeting the required standards to be genuinely considered Real Black, Samsung has proven that its OLED technology delivers a true black viewing experience. The certification validates the OLED display’s crisp, reflection-free images with near-perfect blacks measured below 0.005 nits in dark environments, as well as black a
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Minister Bae Kyung-hoon of the Ministry of Science and ICT met with Kazakhstan's Minister of Science and Higher Education, Sayasat Nurbek, in Seoul on September 11 to discuss measures to expand bilateral cooperation in science and technology, including artificial intelligence. Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1992, Kazakhstan has actively engaged with Korea across diverse fields including politics, economy, society, culture, and education, building on multiple rounds of summit diplomacy. In particular, it actively cultivates talent through inter-state e
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held his first phone call with French Foreign Minister Jean-Noël Barrot, which also served as an inaugural greeting on Sept. 8. They exchanged views on bilateral relations and the international situation. Minister Barrot congratulated Minister Cho on his appointment, noted the strengthening of exchanges and cooperation between the two countries across various fields, and expressed his hope for continued close collaboration, particularly in key areas such as AI, space, and defense. Minister Cho noted the sustained expansion of bilateral t
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The Ministry of Foreign Affairs convened the 2025 meeting of the “Council on Policies on UN Peacekeeping Operations (PKO),” chaired by Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Jina on September 11. The meeting was attended by relevant agencies involved in UN peacekeeping operations, including the Ministry of National Defense, the Joint Chiefs of Staff, the Ministry of the Interior and Safety, and the Korean National Police Agency. Pursuant to Article 16 of the “Act on Participation in United Nations Peacekeeping Operations,” the PKO Policy Council was established und
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will hold the 14th Workshop for Overseas Honorary Consuls of the Republic of Korea from September 15 to September 20. Launched in 2010, this Workshop aims so that they can provide more effective support in protecting overseas Koreans and in promoting Korea’s diplomatic activities. This year’s Workshop, the 14th of its kind, will bring together honorary consuls from 12 countries. This six-day event will kick off with a welcome reception, followed by a seminar to share best practices, special lectures on Korea’s economy and se
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young Following a meeting in Gangwon Province on September 12, President Lee Jae-myung visited frontline troops to inspect the military's readiness posture and encourage the soldiers. President Lee visited the Chilsung Observation Post of the Army's 7th Infantry Division in Hwacheon County, Gangwon Province. There, he surveyed the area near the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ) and guard posts (GP) while receiving a briefing on the military's readiness posture. He also toured the construction site for state-of-the-art barracks. Expressing hope that soldiers would be able to
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Journalists from major media outlets in China will visit the Republic of Korea (ROK) from September 15 to 18 as part of the ROK and Chinese Foreign Ministries’ “program for exchange between ROK and Chinese journalists.” The delegation will be composed of journalists from China’s major media outlets, including Xinhua News Agency, CCTV, People’s Daily, and Global Times. During their stay in Seoul, the Chinese journalists will attend dinner events hosted by officials from the Foreign Ministry, and visit the Journalists Association of Korea, leading Korean media ou
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea (AMCHAM) hosted an exclusive closed-door roundtable on September 14 with Christopher Landau, U.S. Deputy Secretary of State, during his first official visit to Seoul as Deputy Secretary. Held at the Grand Hyatt Seoul, the meeting brought together senior executives from leading U.S. and Korean companies across industries including automotive, airlines, healthcare, ICT and digital services, and steel. With Korean investments in the United States continuing to grow, participants engaged in candid discussions on strengtheni