Uzbekistan, Korea upgrade economic partnership

A doubly landlocked country in the heart of Central Asia, Uzbekistan has engaged the world steadily since gaining independence from the Soviet Union on Aug. 31, 1991. Its economy, once centrally planned, has been integrated into the global marketplace facilitated by structural transformation and foreign investment.The country sits on vast reserves of gold, uranium and natural gas deposit, and the government has modernized since 2006 the bulk of its basic industries using a $25 billion national f

Sept. 7, 2015

Turkey marks independence, alliance with Korea

The Turkish Embassy held a reception on Monday to commemorate the 93rd anniversary of victory in the country’s War of Independence, which conveyed a message of reconciliation and peace. Known as the Armed Forces Day or Victory Day, Turkish Forces under military commander Mustafa Kemal Pasha, on Aug. 30, 1922, defeated World War I Allies in Afyon in central western Anatolia, laying the new modern state’s foundation.By November that year, the new regime in Ankara superseded the Ottoman Sultanate,

Sept. 7, 2015

Pakistani national day teems with patriotic energy

The Pakistani Embassy, in collaboration with the Pakistani Business Association, held an Independence Day reception in Seoul on Aug. 30, which was attended by some 900 Pakistanis. Among the guests were Pakistani Ambassador Zahid Nasrullah Khan, first Korean Ambassador to Pakistan Oh Jae-hee, Rep. Jasmine Lee of the National Assembly and Pakistani singer Sara Raza Khan, who is regarded as an “idol celebrity” back home. Sara Raza Khan, who flew from Lahore for the event, sang various national song

Sept. 7, 2015

Park’s drive for unification faces headwinds

In the wake of President Park Geun-hye’s much-hailed visit to China, Seoul is poised to speed up its groundwork for a future unification with North Korea by intensifying diplomatic efforts with key neighbors and expediting humanitarian exchanges across the border. South Korea will initiate various discussions “in the near future” on how to bring about the peninsula’s unification, Park said, adding that the issue was also the focal point of her summit with President Xi Jinping last week. “We agre

Sept. 6, 2015

Sino-U.S. rivalry a challenge for Korea’s diplomacy

Tiananmen Square on Thursday turned into a pomp-filled showcase of China’s military prowess, with the march of its goose-stepping troops leading a formidable display of intercontinental nuclear missiles, fighters, bombers, drones and other high-tech weapons.During the much-anticipated military parade to mark the 70th anniversary of the end of World War II, Chinese leader Xi Jinping delivered a message of “peace and justice,” which was eclipsed by the massive presentation of China’s homebuilt com

Sept. 3, 2015

Japan, U.S. welcome trilateral summit plan

Japan on Thursday expressed its resolve for discussions to arrange a trilateral summit with South Korea and China, while the U.S. lauded the three countries’ efforts to mend fences in the face of steadfast historical and territorial tension. Presidents Park Geun-hye and Xi Jinping announced after their meeting on Wednesday they will meet with Japanese Prime Minister Shinzo Abe in Seoul in late October or early November. The event is also likely to set the stage for first-ever talks between Park

Sept. 3, 2015

Park’s visit illustrates evolving China ties

The summit Wednesday between Presidents Park Geun-hye and Xi Jinping demonstrated the two countries’ evolving, increasingly multifaceted ties while building momentum for Seoul’s efforts to play a more proactive role in peninsula issues and regional diplomacy. During the meeting, Xi touted the bilateral relationship has developed to its “best-ever” in terms of politics, economy, trade, people-to-people exchanges and other areas, thanks to the two leaders’ cooperation. Park, for her part, expresse

Sept. 2, 2015

[Newsmaker] Sankei under fire again for attack on Park

Japanese newspaper Sankei Shimbun came under fire again for an online column that called President Park Geun-hye’s plan to attend China’s World War II victory event “toadyism” and likened her to a 19th-century Korean empress assassinated by Japan.President Park Geun-hye presides over a Cabinet meeting at Cheong Wa Dae on Tuesday. (Yonhap)In its Monday edition, the conservative daily carried the column accusing Korea’s diplomacy of being historically subservient to big powers -- China, Russia or

Sept. 1, 2015

Canadian literature showcased at Seoul Metropolitan Library

The Canadian Embassy in Seoul is hosting a book exhibition at the Seoul Metropolitan Library in partnership with the city government, introducing renowned Canadian literature to the public. The exhibition titled “Seoul Meets Canadian Books” is part of cultural promotion events organized by the embassy and the Seoul government, dubbed, “Seoul Meets Canada,” from Aug. 25-Sept. 17. One-hundred books by authors ― including Nobel Prize in literature winner Alice Munro, author of “Anne of Green Gables

Aug. 31, 2015

Afghan visitors seek advice, investment on Korea trip

Afghan opinion leaders visited Korea last week to take back home inspiration from its development experience and elicit investment. Nine people ― including a parliamentarian, a presidential adviser, a journalist and bankers ― came as the first private sector delegation, visiting various industrial facilities in Korea and sites in Cheongdo County in North Gyeongsang Province affiliated with the Saemaul Undong rural development movement. The training program was organized by Nutrition and Educatio

Aug. 30, 2015

World opinion leaders to support Korean culture

For opinion leaders who want to join Korea’s social nexus, the Korea Cultural Quotient Club has provided opportunities weaving diplomacy, business, education, gastronomy and the arts for the last 10 years. Launched by the Corea Image Communications Institute in 2006, the club has acted as a platform for promoting Korean culture, exchanging ideas and fostering friendships among its members. At Malaysian Ambassador Rohana Ramli’s residence in Seoul, the club’s 20th class was launched for the 25 ne

Aug. 30, 2015

Photographer captures captivating Singapore

A veteran Korean photographer has organized an exhibition that puts Singapore’s attractions in the limelight and exposes hidden layers of its ethnically diverse culture. “Five Days in Singapore” at Seoul Auction Gangnam from Aug. 26-Sept. 1 presents 40 photographs by Kim Jung-man, 61, who visited Singapore earlier this year to publish the tourism guidebook “Splendid Singapore.” During his five-day trip, Kim took 14,000 photographs of the city’s vibrant landscapes and landmarks. The “Five Days in

Aug. 30, 2015