By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI, President & CEO Marie Antonia von Schönburg), in cooperation with the Gwangju Free Economic Zone Authority, held the KGCCI Half-Year Economic Outlook 2025 on August 28 at the Four Seasons Hotel. The event, organized to provide exclusive insights into the developments of Korean-German business relations in these challenging times, drew the participation of more than 80 key officials, business leaders and experts from Korean and German companies and institutions. Speakers included Joern Beissert, Depu
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The American Chamber of Commerce in Korea signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on Aug. 26 with PTC to accelerate smart manufacturing innovation and promote the wider adoption of U.S.-developed industrial technologies in Korea, as part of AMCHAM’s ongoing “Buy America” campaign. The signing ceremony, held at the Conrad Seoul Hotel, was attended by James Heller, Deputy Chief of Mission at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. His presence underscored the strategic significance of the partnership in deepening bilateral economic cooperation through digital transformation
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo HD Korea Shipbuilding & Offshore Engineering (HD KSOE) announced on Aug. 27 that it is pursuing restructuring of its shipbuilding business to enhance global competitiveness and expand orders in Korea’s shipbuilding and defense sectors, as the MASGA project is set to go into full swing. On the 27th, HD KSOE, HD Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI), and HD Hyundai Mipo (HMD) each held board meetings, where HHI and HMD approved a merger agenda. Following an extraordinary general meeting and merger review process, the two companies will relaunch this December as the
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “Chhattisgarh is the growth engine of central India and the Indian state offers friendly environment to Korean investors,” said Honorable Chief Minister of Chhattisgarh, Mr. Vishnu Deo Sai, at an investment seminar. Chhattisgarh is the 9th largest state of India with 135,000 square meters. The Indian Chamber of Commerce in Korea (ICCK) held the event, titled Chhattisgarh Investor Connect in Seoul” on August 27, 2025 at Lotte Hotel, jointly organized by the Government of Chhattisgarh (a provincial government in India) and the Embassy of India, Seoul. Chief Minis
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Samsung Electronics today announced it will be unveiling its latest laundry innovations at IFA 2025 in Berlin, including the new Bespoke AI Washer with A-65% energy efficiency and the second-generation Bespoke AI Laundry Combo. These new models demonstrate Samsung’s ongoing commitment to delivering energy savings, intelligent features and stylish designs that align with the evolving needs of users around the world. “With the new A-65% washer, Samsung has pushed the boundaries of convenience and energy efficiency once again,” said Jeong Seung Moon, EVP and Head
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young President Lee Jae-myung attended the ‘Korea-U.S. Business Roundtable- Manufacturing Renaissance Partnership’ held at a hotel in Washington D.C., U.S., on August 25 (local time), the Presidential Office announced. Held to coincide with President Lee's first visit to the U.S., the event was attended by 16 prominent Korean business leaders with significant cooperative ties to the U.S. across various sectors. They included Ryu Jin, Chairman of the Korea Economic Association; Lee Jae-yong, Chairman of Samsung Electronics; Chey Tae-won, Chairman of SK; Chung Eui-su
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI, President & CEO Marie Antonia von Schönburg) will host “Guide Walkers” joint CSR event on September 7, 2025, at Sangam World Cup Park in Seoul, South Korea. Now in its third year, the initiative brings together nearly 700 colleagues and partners from KGCCI and its member companies who will serve as guide walkers for individuals with visual impairments at the 11th Harmony Marathon with Visually Impaired, organized by Seoul Disabled Sports Association. First launched in 2023 to commemorate 140 years o
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Hyun, together with Joseph Yun, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy, Kim Seok-ki, Chair of the National Assembly’s Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee, Kim Gi-hyeon, Chair of the Special Committee for Supporting the APEC Economic Leaders’ Meeting, and National Assembly members Kim Geon, Kim Sang-wook, and Kim Tae-Seon, visited HD Hyundai’s Ulsan Shipyard to inspect shipbuilding operations and major facilities on August 13. This visit was organized amid continued emphasis on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the shipbui
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Following the Korea-Vietnam Summit, companies and organizations from both countries signed 52 Memoranda of Understanding (MOUs) to expand cooperation in industries, energy, and other sectors. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on August 12 that it held the "Korea-Vietnam Business Forum" at the Lotte Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul. The forum was attended by approximately 500 government officials, organizations, and businesspeople, including Vietnamese Party Secretary General To Lâm and Prime Minister Kim Min-seok. At the forum, 52 MOUs were signed bet
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Hyundai Motor Company and General Motors announced plans for their first five co-developed vehicles on Aug. 6, marking a significant milestone in their previously announced strategic collaboration. The two companies will co-develop four vehicles for the Central and South American market, including a compact SUV, car and pick-up, as well as a mid-size pick-up, all with the flexibility to use either internal combustion or hybrid propulsion systems. Hyundai and GM also will co-develop an electric commercial van for North America. Hyundai and GM expect sales of the
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Korean Air has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (TA) with Anduril, a US defense company, to establish partnerships in the unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) sector in Korea and the Asia-Pacific region. The signing ceremony took place at the Four Seasons Hotel in Jongno-gu, Seoul. Key officials from both companies, including Lim Jin-gyu, head of Korean Air's Aerospace Division, and Palmer Luckey, founder of Anduril, attended the event. Anduril signed partnerships with major Korean defense companies at the official launch of its Korean branch, hosted by the US Dep
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Gyeongju City, North Gyeongsang Province, hosted a meeting with David Roden, the Gyeongsangbuk-do Investment Promotion Ambassador, in the External Relations Office of City Hall on Aug. 6, 2025. The meeting was organized to expand global investment and strengthen the Korea-US business network, the city announced. The event was attended by Gyeongju City Vice Mayor Song Ho-jun, Director of the Corporate Investment Support Division Son Dae-gi, and officials from the Gyeongsangbuk-do Investment Promotion Team. Vice Mayor Song stated, "I express my gratitude to Ambas
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee Chairwoman Youn Young-mi of the Korea Importers Association (KOIMA) met with Ambassador Nurgali Arystanov of Kazakhstan to Korea on July 31 and discussed ways to expand trade and practical cooperation between the two countries. Ambassador Arystanov expressed his commitment to a stable supply of Kazakhstan-produced wheat to the Korean market as a global wheat producer. He also expressed his hopes for the supply of various products, including agricultural and livestock products, mineral resources, meat, and honey, to the Korean market. Chairwoman Youn stated that t
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo President Jeong Yong-gi of Korea District Heating Corporation (KDHC) met with Uzbek Ambassador to Korea Alisher Abdusalomov at KDHC headquarters on Aug. 4 to discuss the progress for advancement of K-Heating into Uzbek market and ways to expand cooperation in the energy sector. In June of last year, the leaders of Korea and Uzbekistan signed the "Uzbekistan District Heating Modernization Project Agreement," which aims to upgrade Uzbekistan's aging district heating facilities to a Korean-style K-Heating system based on combined heat and power plants. KDHC Presid
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Chairman Kang Ho-dong of the National Agricultural Cooperative Federation (NACF) met with Vietnam's Fatherland Front Central Committee Chairman Do Van Chien at the NACF headquarters in Jung-gu, Seoul, on July 31 and discussed ways for mutual development in the agricultural sectors of both countries. This meeting with Chairman Do Van Chien, who is visiting Korea at the invitation of the Korea Foundation, was held to strengthen the strategic partnership between NACF and Vietnam. Chairman Do Van Chien stated, "I deeply appreciate NACF's long-standing partnership w