By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo To commemorate the 60th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Venezuela and South Korea, the Embassy of the Bolivarian Republic of Venezuela held a special exhibition at Gallery Soma in the Olympic Park in Seoul on April 29. The art exhibition titled, “SOMA SCULPTURE ART PLATFORM (SSAP),” presented sculpture works by Korean artist Moon Shin and Venezuelan artist Jesus Rafael Soto. “It was a meaningful time to see new works by Venezuelan and Korean artists on the occasion of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between Venezuel
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) will host the 2025 Seoul Welcome Week for eight days from April 25 to May 2 to welcome foreign tourists. This event takes place in conjunction with the peak spring tourism season, with Japan’s Golden Week (April 26 to May 6) and China’s Labor Day holidays (May 1 to May 5). In cooperation with the Seoul Tourism Association, the SMG will operate the “Seoul Travel Station”, a welcome center for foreign tourists in Myeong-dong for eight days from April 25 to May 2. Frequently visited by many foreign tourists, the tourist center
By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee The opening ceremony for the 2025-26 East Asian Cultural City was held on April 25, 2025 at Anseong Art Hall in Anseong, Gyeonggi-do Province, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism said. The event showcased the traditional performing arts troupe Anseong Namsadang Baudeogi's pungmulnori (folk music and dance), Chinese dragon dance and Japanese noh play. Congratulatory performances were also done by an Anseong children's choir, musical group Harmonize and singer Gummy. Beginning with the ceremony, Anseong hosted events featuring the three countries such as a
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Colombia is participating as the Guest Country of Honour at the 42nd edition of the Busan International Short Film Festival (BISFF), one of the most prestigious film events in Asia and a leading global platform for the exhibition and promotion of short films. The festival, which started from April 24, will last until April 29, in Busan, Republic of Korea. This milestone marks the first time a Latin American country has been granted this distinction, offering a valuable opportunity to showcase Colombia as a top-tier film destination in Latin America and to foste
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of India, Seoul and Korean Food Promotion Institute (KFPI) jointly organized a special Cooking demonstration session on April 17, 2025. Ambassador Amit Kumar, Director General Jeon Hae-woong, KFPI and Ambassador's Spouse Ms. Surabhi Kumar welcomed the guests to this session, which brought together vibrant flavors of India and Korea. The Indian and Korean Chefs, each presented a popular dish, offering a glimpse into the rich culinary traditions of the two countries. In his remarks DG Jeon expressed hoped that the session would provide the guests with
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic held the “Color of Asia” concert successfully at Lotte Concert Hall in Seoul at 7:30 p.m. on April 16, celebrating the 33rd anniversary of diplomatic relations between the Republic of Korea and Kyrgyzstan. The event was co-hosted by the Seoul Foundation for Arts and Culture (SFAC) and the Soliall Philharmonic Orchestra, with support from the Embassy of the Kyrgyz Republic in Korea. The performance was directed by Artistic Director Ahn Joo-eun and conducted by Diego Crovetti, presenting a diverse lineup that captivated the audi
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Acting President Han Duck-soo attended a concert by the Qatar Philharmonic Orchestra in the capital, Seoul, marking the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the State of Qatar and the Republic of Korea. The event was organized by the Embassy of the State of Qatar in South Korea, in cooperation with the Goyang Culture Foundation. Under the baton of by Maestro Wilson Ng and featuring world-renowned pianist Jae Hong Park, the orchestra performed a selection of international classical works, concluding with musical pieces drawn from
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Seoul Metropolitan Government (SMG) is accepting nominations for this year’s Seoul Honorary Citizenship program from Mar. 24 to Apr. 21, targeting foreign nationals who have helped improve Seoul’s global status in various fields, such as economy, culture, welfare, science, and AI. Established in 1958, the Seoul Honorary Citizenship program expresses gratitude and respect to foreign dignitaries who have served to bridge Seoul and the world. This also includes everyday foreign residents who have contributed to the city’s development and quality of life. So fa
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Jon-young In the heart of Seoul's Changgyeonggung Palace, Chundangji (春塘池) is a tranquil spot where cherry blossoms bloom in spring and mallards float in the pond. Amidst this peaceful scene, a strangely disparate stone pagoda stands out. It is the seven-story octagonal stone pagoda of Changgyeonggung Palace, Treasure No. 1119. Many visitors pass in front of it. They read the small sign and think, “Since there is a pagoda, it must be an old cultural property,” and they pass it by. However, this stone pagoda is not just an old treasure. It was not built on Korean soil,
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “Navruz is a celebration of humanity's connection with nature, inspiring constructive and prosperous actions and bestowing inspiration and strength,” said H.E. Salohiddin Kirom, Amb. of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Republic of Korea on April 5. Delivering a congratulatory message on the occasion of celebration of International Navruz Holiday, Amb. Salohiddin Kirom said at a festive event held at Embassy Building in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, “As the Founder of Peace and National Unity, Leader of the Nation, President of the Republic of Tajikistan, Emomali Rahmon,
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Ministry of Industry and New Technologies of the Republic of Tajikistan hosted the International Jewelry Forum and Exhibition, " At the origins of Oxus Treasure", in Dushanbe, coinciding with the International Nowruz celebrations. This event, held over three days (from the March 24 to the March 26, 2025), took place at the Dushanbe Expo Center. The opening ceremony was attended by the First Deputy Prime Minister of the Republic of Tajikistan, Mr. Kholikzoda Hokim Khikmatullo, alongside heads of local executive bodies, ministers and department heads from par
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo Thirty-three families of ambassadors from 12 countries visited Everland, operated by Samsung C&T's resort division, to experience the spring flower garden and Korean garden culture. According to Everland on March 29, the families of ambassadors from 12 countries, including the Netherlands, Germany, Spain, Mexico, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Ireland, Ukraine, Colombia, Peru, and Australia, visited the Tulip Festival, a representative spring festival. The visit was organized by the spouse of Peter van der Vliet, Ambassador of the Netherlands, the “Land of
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The Korea Foundation Gallery in Seoul hosted the opening of "A Sombre Aspect", a compelling photography exhibition by renowned Peruvian artist Roberto Huarcaya, organized by the Embassy of Peru in the Republic of Korea, on March 27. The event brought together an eclectic mix of prominent artists, ambassadors, and members of the diplomatic corps. The evening began with heartfelt opening remarks that set a reflective tone for the night. Huarcaya then personally guided attendees through his evocative collection, offering intimate insights into the powerful themes
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo “A house is not just a physical space. It is where our soul resides.” At the exhibition “Home, and the Landscape Beyond” held at Gallery 2 of the Sejong Museum at Sejong University, artist Han Kyung-won quietly yet resolutely shared her philosophy. In her artwork, a “home” is not merely an architectural structure. It is a landscape that holds memories and a language that conveys emotions. The exhibition ran from February 26 to March 9, presenting an artistic journey through over 40 paintings that expand the familiar theme of “home” into time, memory, nature, an
By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article on Professor Park Young-hee’s “Saturday Letters” was contributed by Esi Han, Public Relations Officer of the Embassy of Ghana in Seoul to Diplomacy Journal for publication. –Ed. On March 15, 2025, at the sunlit convention hall of YMCA Youth center in Goyang city, something greater than a milestone was celebrated—a quiet homage to a life of thought, a philosophy of care, and a deep affection for humanity. The occasion marked the 1000th issue of the ‘Saturday Letters’ a heartfelt essay series written without interruption for 20 years by Prof