By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Choi Yong-Ha, former Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Uzbekistan, on his perspective on President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to New York and meeting with the President of South Korea to the Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. –Ed. September 2025 marked a pivotal moment in Uzbekistan’s international diplomacy. President Shavkat Mirziyoyev’s visit to New York to participate in the 80th anniversary session of the United Nations General Assembly not only underscored the country
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Cambodia was once a country that welcomed foreigners with the ‘angelic smile’. But now, that smile has frozen cold. Behind the beautiful Angkor Wat and emerald coastline lurks the grip of criminal organizations targeting foreigners. The murder of a Korean university student was not merely the tragedy of one individual, but the result of systematic neglect hidden behind the label of a ‘tourist nation’. A crime market disguised as tourism. Locally, alongside the tourism boom, ‘voice phishing camps’, ‘online gambling centers’, and ‘human trafficking brokerages’ have
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young Two months have passed since Korean university student Park (22) was kidnapped and murdered in Cambodia. Only after his death became known to the world did the government declare a “full-scale response.” But by then, Park had already returned as a cold corpse. And the people asked coldly. “Where the hell was the government?” Delayed cooperation, shifting blame, a life obscured by ‘procedures’. When the victim's family reported in late July that “my brother seems to be held captive,” police immediately confirmed his cell phone location was overseas. Yet, no im
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Dunyo Information Agency (MFA of the Republic of Uzbekistan) to the Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. – Ed. At the conclusion of the 42nd session of the UNESCO General Conference, held in Paris from 7 to 22 November 2023, a historic decision was adopted to convene the next session—the 43rd session—in Samarkand, Uzbekistan, in 2025. The resolution received unanimous support from all 194 Member States of the Organization, serving as a high-level recognition of the comprehensive r
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young Once known as the ‘Smile of Angkor Wat,’ Cambodia is no longer a peaceful tourist destination. The recent case of Korean university student Park (22) being kidnapped, imprisoned, and murdered locally is a symbolic cross-section of this reality. His tragic death is not merely the misfortune of one individual, but reveals the true nature of a ‘country where crime has become an industry’. Cambodia has rapidly grown as a Southeast Asian tourism hub, but its underbelly is dark. An ‘invisible criminal market’—a tangled web of online scams, illegal gambling, human t
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Azerbaijan commemorated the 5th anniversary of the beginning of its 44-day Patriotic War on September 27, 2025, which brought an end to almost 30 years of the illegal occupation of Azerbaijani territories. Five years ago, the Armed Forces of Azerbaijan resolutely responded to historical injustice against their country and ended serious violations of Azerbaijan’s territorial integrity and sovereignty as well as of international law. In recognition of the profound respect and gratitude owed to the heroes of chronicle of this history, who laid down their lives or
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Nurgali Arystanov, Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Korea: “For Alatau City, the most ideal partner is Korea.” Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Korea, Nurgali Arystanov, stated in an interview with Diplomacy Journal on the 24th that “Korea combines speed with strong momentum while remaining firmly focused on its goals and direction,” adding that “Korea is the most ideal partner for advancing the Alatau City project.” The Alatau City project, launched in 2023, is a major national strategic initiative for Kazakhstan, marking the start of the country’s transition from a reso
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Kazakhstan’s President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev called for comprehensive UN reform, stronger global cooperation, and urgent steps toward peace, sustainability, and digital equity in a time of mounting instability during the Sept. 23 General Debate of the 80th session of the UN General Assembly in New York. In his statement, President Tokayev underscored the urgent need for a comprehensive reform of the UN system. Reflecting on the institution’s eight-decade legacy, Tokayev acknowledged the UN’s central role in addressing global challenges – but warned that the cur
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Lee Jae-myung, currently in the United States to attend the UN General Assembly, met with BlackRock Chairman Larry Fink, Chairman of the World Economic Forum (WEF), Global Infrastructure Partners (GIP) Chairman Adebayo Ogunlesi, and former World Bank President Kim Yong as his first stop on the agenda on September 22 (local time). The meeting focused on three major transformations facing humanity: artificial intelligence, energy transition, and demographic change. They also confirmed a shared understanding for strategic cooperation between Korea and
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Lee Jae-myung declared in his keynote address at the UN that "South Korea will fulfill its responsibility and role to end the Cold War on the Korean Peninsula and contribute to global peace and prosperity through the 'E (Exchange), N (Normalization), and D (Denuclearization) Initiative." President Lee made these remarks in his keynote address at UN Headquarters in New York on September 23 (local time), stating, "We must end the era of hostility and confrontation on the Korean Peninsula through comprehensive dialogue centered on the 'END' initiative
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on Sept. 12 that the Directorate of Literacy and National Languages of Senegal, the Institute for Research, Education and Popular Promotion (INEPE) of Ecuador and the National Science and Technology Development Agency (NSTDA) of Thailand were named laureates of the 2025 UNESCO King Sejong Literacy Prize at a ceremony held on September 8 (local time) at the UNESCO Headquarters in Paris to celebrate International Literacy Day. This year’s winners include the Directorate of Literacy and National Languages of Sene
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Аziza Аminova, Member of the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis, to the Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. –Ed. The tourism industry, as one of the largest and most profitable sectors of the global economy, accounts for nearly 10 percent of the world’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP). Ranking third after the automotive and oil and gas industries, it attracts 7 percent of global investments. Tourism is also recognized as a sector that contributes to improving environmental condi
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Тulkin Teshabaev, Rector of Tashkent State University of Economics, Doctor of Economic Sciences, Professor, to the Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. –Ed. Today, it can be stated without exaggeration that representatives of the entire business community across the country had been eagerly anticipating traditional Open Dialogue between the Head of state and entrepreneurs. As noted by the President, this is not merely a forum, but a platform for lively and sincere dialogue that pl
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo On September 8, 2025, President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev delivered his annual state-of-the-nation address, “Kazakhstan in the Era of Artificial Intelligence: Key Tasks and Their Solutions through Digital Transformation.” The Head of State presented an ambitious program of reforms centered on digital transformation, investment, global connectivity, and institutional renewal. At the heart of the address was Kazakhstan’s determination to lead in the AI era. President Tokayev announced the creation of a new Ministry of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Development,
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Energy ministers from the 21 member economies of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) gathered in South Korea on Aug. 27 to discuss energy security amid surging electricity demand driven by the growth of artificial intelligence (AI) and other advanced industries, the energy ministry said. The APEC Energy Ministerial Meeting kicked off in Busan, about 325 kilometers southeast of Seoul, for a two-day run, bringing together energy ministers and vice ministers from APEC member countries, including the United States, China, Japan, Indonesia, Canada, Mexico, Au