By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Kim Dae-sik, Former Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Kazakhstan, to the Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Seoul. –Ed. On November 6, 2025, the C5+1 Summit between the United States and the five Central Asian nations will be held in Washington, D.C. The gathering will commemorate the 10th anniversary of the C5+1 framework and explore new avenues for cooperation. Currently, there are six major countries or regions that maintain similar C5+1 mechanisms with the Cent
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Republic of Korea H.E. Mr. Salohiddin Kirom to the Diplomacy Journal for publication. –Ed. November 6 is celebrated across Tajikistan as Constitution Day of the Republic of Tajikistan., On November 6, 1994, the Constitution of the Republic of Tajikistan was adopted through a national referendum. Since then, amendments and additions have been introduced via national referendums on September 26, 1999, June 22, 2003, and May 22, 2016. These changes were dictated by the demands
By Diplomacy Journal Belarus Correspondent Kim Sun-ah Minsk, the capital of Belarus. For those living here, Lake Zaslavskaye is simply a nearby retreat. However, the lake, nicknamed the "Minsk Sea," has become a magnet for both city dwellers and tourists. Located just 5km from downtown Minsk, the lake offers the perfect escape for those seeking a seaside escape in the city. Lake Zaslavskaye was created in 1956 to prevent flooding and secure water resources. This artificial reservoir, created at the time, has held special significance from its very existence. Covering an area of approximately 3
By Diplomacy Journal Belarus Correspondent Kim Sun-ah The monument, located near the Brest Fortress in Belarus, is a symbolic site of significance and historical importance during World War II. This monument is more than just a stone and iron structure; it serves as an unforgettable reminder of sacrifice and courage for those who love Belarus and its history. The Battle of the Brest Fortress was a fierce battle that took place in 1941 during the Nazi German invasion. Soviet troops and local residents risked their lives to defend the fortress and fight against the invaders. Their indomitable sp
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The world’s leading travel publication Lonely Planet has included Tajikistan in its prestigious list of “25 Best Travel Experiences for 2026 (Best in Travel 2026)”, recognizing the country as one of the most inspiring destinations for hiking and mountain adventures. In the feature titled “Hike and Wild Camping in Tajikistan”, Lonely Planet encourages travelers to discover the country’s majestic mountain scenery, pristine nature, and the warm hospitality of its people, which together make travel in Tajikistan a truly unforgettable experience. The annual Best in
By Diplomacy Journal Belarus Correspondent Kim Sun-ah Minsk, Belarus -- On October 29, 2025, an official meeting was held in the conference room of the Ministry of Sports and Tourism of the Republic of Belarus. Five officials, including Deputy Minister Oleg Andreychik, and a delegation from the Republic of Korea were present. This meeting was a meaningful opportunity to discuss expanding tourism exchanges and cultural cooperation between Korea and Belarus. In his welcoming remarks, Deputy Minister Andreychik introduced Belarus as "a treasure trove of culture and nature located in the heart of
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Eldor Tulyakov, Executive Director, Development Strategy Centre, Uzbekistan, to the Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. –Ed. On 24 October 2025, Uzbekistan and the European Union signed the Enhanced Partnership and Cooperation Agreement (EPCA)—a comprehensive framework that culminates negotiations launched in February 2019 and initialled in July 2022. More than a ceremonial milestone, the EPCA codifies a strategic upgrade in our relationship with the EU. It is broad in scope—nine
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The International Conference on Artificial Intelligence, AI Conf 2025, held on Oct. 25, 2025, successfully concluded in Dushanbe, solidifying Tajikistan's position as a key player in Central Asia’s technological and sustainable development. The event convened representatives from government, technology companies, international organizations, and venture capital funds. The conference served as a platform to underscore the country's strategic commitment to AI development, which is seen as crucial for achieving sustainable economic, social, and technological goals
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The fololowiung article was contributed by Obid Khakimov, Director of the Center for Economic Research and Reforms, to the Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. –Ed. In October, the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, Shavkat Mirziyoyev, will pay a state visit to the Kingdom of Belgium, during which important decisions are expected to be made that will mark a qualitatively new stage in relations between Uzbekistan and the European Union. In particular, the visit will feature the signing of the Agreement on Enhanced P
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) has drawn global attention for its efforts to provide healthy meals for children, receiving the top prize at the Milan Pact Awards during the 10th anniversary Milan Urban Food Policy Pact (MUFPP) Global Forum 2025, which brought together 336 cities from around the world. The award ceremony took place on Oct. 15 at Piccolo Teatro Studio Melato in Milan, Italy, where the SMG received a trophy and a cash prize of €20,000. Since joining the MUFPP in 2015, the SMG has actively engaged in international cooperation and policy ex
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young Recent consecutive kidnappings and detentions targeting Koreans in Cambodia have escalated beyond mere public safety concerns, shaking the diplomatic relations between South Korea and Cambodia. Particularly as these incidents are revealed to be the work of international criminal organizations colluding with Cambodia's corrupt authorities, the gravity of the situation is escalating toward potential international sanctions against Cambodia. This shocking crisis is shaking the very foundation of South Korea's core diplomatic policy, the ‘New Southern Policy,’ wh
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee 2025 marks the significant 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Malawi, the ‘warm heart’ of southern Africa. Since establishing ties in 1965, the two nations have cultivated deep friendship beyond diplomatic relations through development cooperation and people-to-people exchanges. Particularly, Korea's remarkable economic growth has led to expanded Official Development Assistance (ODA) to Malawi. Numerous Korean non-governmental organizations (NGOs) and individual volunteers have entered the country, actively working in diver
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee There, people are still being tortured, sold, and dying. Their cries for help go unheard. The regime remains silent, and the authorities turn a blind eye. And that silence is the most brutal accomplice. Imprisoned people are beaten while chained, women are sold to human trafficking rings, and young people are used as slaves for cyber scams. They are managed not as humans but as numbers, their suffering buried in statistics. This is not crime. It is the collapse of the state. The law is corrupt, the police are bought off, and the judiciary has become a toy of powe
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young Cambodia declares that over 95% of its people practice Theravada Buddhism, establishing compassion and the Middle Way as the nation's fundamental principles. Yet today's Cambodia is transforming into a nation where greed prevails over compassion, and corruption over the Middle Way. In recent years, crimes like foreigner abductions, human trafficking, online gambling, and drug dealing have surged, effectively turning the country into a hotbed of crime. Criminals collude with public officials, the law becomes powerless before money, and the victims are always f
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Minister of Justice Chung Sung-ho met with Filippo Grandi, the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR), at the Gwacheon Government Complex on October 17. They emphasized the importance of solidarity and responsibility-sharing within the international community to resolve the global refugee crisis and discussed ways to strengthen cooperation. Minister Jeong stated, “Since acceding to the Refugee Convention in 1992, Korea has actively participated in refugee protection as a responsible member of the international community, including enacting Asia's f