[Contribution] Realign climate action for just transition

When the Paris Agreement was adopted in 2015, I was overjoyed. Years of hard work, sleepless nights, and lengthy negotiations were finally behind us. Commitments to keep global warming below 1.5 degrees Celsius seemed to be a “reality." There was consensus for a multilateral, legally binding treaty, and my support as a legal adviser to the least developed countries on Paris Agreement negotiations was to benefit so many. Yet my joy was short-lived. Despite scientific knowledge of what

Nov. 23, 2023

Court orders Japan to compensate ‘comfort women’

A South Korean appeals court found the Japanese government liable for damages to be paid to Korean women forced to work in wartime brothels during its 1910-45 occupation of the peninsula, reversing the previous ruling two years ago. A group of 21 plaintiffs -- “comfort women” or sex abuse victims who are still alive and their families -- filed the complaint in 2016. Dismissing the case in 2021, the court acknowledged Japan has state immunity from lawsuits in another country. The same

Nov. 23, 2023

German ambassador advocates 'de-risking' at Global Biz Forum

The German ambassador to Korea, Georg Schmidt, addressed the need to pursue a "de-risking" strategy to protect the economy in the face of global uncertainties, at the Global Biz Forum in Seoul on Wednesday. In his remarks, Schmidt recalled the perils of relying heavily on a single source, citing Germany's vulnerability caused by the Russia-Ukraine war, when gas supplies from Russia were disrupted. Germany swiftly adapted by diversifying its sources, constructing LNG terminals and

Nov. 23, 2023

S. Korea elected as member of UNESCO World Heritage Committee

South Korea has been elected to the UNESCO World Heritage Committee for a four-year term through 2027, officials here said Thursday, marking the country's fourth such election as a member of the committee. Seoul regained the membership at the 24th session of the General Assembly of the States Parties to the Convention for the Protection of the World Cultural and Natural Heritage that opened at the UNESCO headquarters in Paris on Wednesday for a two-day run, according to the Cultural Heritag

Nov. 23, 2023

Yoon says updated S. Korea-Britain FTA will enable their businesses to lead global market

LONDON -- President Yoon Suk Yeol said Wednesday that updating the South Korea-Britain free trade agreement will enable the two countries' businesses to lead the global market. Yoon made the remark during a business forum attended by CEOs and business representatives from both countries during his ongoing state visit to London, as the two sides signed a joint declaration announcing the launch of negotiations to revise the FTA, which went into effect in 2021. "Over the course of the neg

Nov. 22, 2023

From Yoon Dong-ju to Blackpink: banquet at Buckingham reaffirms deep ties

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee, who are on a state visit to Britain to mark the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries, attended a state banquet hosted by King Charles III at Buckingham Palace, Tuesday. The two leaders confirmed the strong relationship between South Korea and Britain, paying tribute to influential cultural figures and the history of each country. After attending an official welcoming ceremony at

Nov. 22, 2023

King Charles welcomes South Korea's president with state banquet, mingles with K-pop band Blackpink

LONDON (AP) — King Charles III hosted South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and his wife at a glittering banquet at Buckingham Palace Tuesday, as Britain rolled out the red carpet for a formal state visit aimed at strengthening trade and defense ties between the two countries. The UK government hopes the Korean leader's three-day visit will help cement an “Indo-Pacific tilt ” in its foreign and trade policy. The king and Queen Camilla hosted Yoon and first lady Kim Keon H

Nov. 22, 2023

Yoon, first lady receive ceremonial welcome from King Charles III, Queen Camilla

LONDON -- South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and first lady Kim Keon Hee received a ceremonial welcome from King Charles III and Queen Camilla as they began their state visit to Britain on Tuesday. The ceremony began with Prince William and his wife, Kate Middleton, arriving at Yoon and Kim's hotel in London to travel with them to Horse Guards Parade, where the official welcome took place amid a 41-gun salute and an inspection of the Guard of Honor. The King and Queen greeted the presid

Nov. 22, 2023

Oman celebrates 53rd National Day, calls Korea reliable ally

Oman marked its 53rd National Day, celebrating the legacy of the late Sultan Qaboos bin Said Al Said and highlighting the nation's enduring partnership with Korea in Seoul on Monday. “Oman values the Republic of Korea as a reliable ally across various sectors and is committed to peace,” said Omani Ambassador to Korea Zakariya bin Hamad Al Saadi, underscoring collaborations in trade, energy, ports, technology and education as he delivered his remarks. Oman's National Day, de

Nov. 21, 2023

US renews concerns over N. Korea-Russia military cooperation

The US Department of State reiterated its concerns Monday over military cooperation between North Korea and Russia, as Pyongyang is gearing up for a space rocket launch to put a military spy satellite into orbit. Pyongyang has notified Japan's Coast Guard of a plan to conduct the launch between Nov. 22 and Dec. 1, Japanese media reported, despite Seoul's warning against what would be its third such launch attempt this year. "I will say that our concerns about North Korea's ba

Nov. 21, 2023

[Herald Interview] Latvia hopes to boost economic, cultural ties with Korea

Latvia hopes to boost trade, investment and cultural relations with Korea, said the country's top envoy to Korea on Friday, as Latvia marks its 105th anniversary of independence. Latvian Ambassador to Seoul Aris Vigants said there was potential for increased cooperation on many fronts, with trade volume between Korea and Latvia reaching 128.3 million euros ($140 million) last year. Latvian exports to the country amounted to 72.7 million euros and imports were worth 55.5 million euros in 202

Nov. 20, 2023

[Photo News] INDIAN CINEMA

INDIAN CINEMA Indian Ambassador to Korea Amit Kumar (center), spouse of the Indian ambassador to Korea Surabhi Kumar (left), and Korean Film Archive director Kim Hong-jun pose for photos at the 11th edition of the Indian film festival at the Korean Film Archive in Mapo-gu, Seoul, on Nov. 14. The event showcased Indian cinema which has a rich history dating back to the early 20th century, and has evolved into a dynamic and diverse industry. (Indian embassy)

Nov. 20, 2023

[Photo News] Flowers of Colombia

FLOWERS OF COLOMBIA Attendees pose for a group photo at a floral workshop co-hosted by the Colombian Embassy in Korea and ProColombia, a government agency promoting exports, tourism and foreign direct investment, at the Grand Mercure hotel in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, on Friday. The event, attended by over 60 local buyers and representatives from seven Colombian companies affiliated with flower exporters association Asocolflores, showcased a stunning array of Colombian flowers. Varieties such as carnat

Nov. 20, 2023

Kazakhstan celebrates expanded ties with Busan

The Kazakhstan Embassy in Seoul celebrated expanded economic ties between its former capital Almaty and Busan, calling South Korea’s largest port city a global player in the world economy on Wednesday. Kazakhstan was celebrating the first anniversary of the friendly cooperation city agreement between Almaty and Busan, a pact signed on Sept. 14, 2022, according to a statement from the embassy. The agreement aimed to enhance human exchanges and extend cooperation in diverse fields, including

Nov. 20, 2023

Moroccan daughter of Korean War veteran honors father's legacy

Ftetam el-Asry, the 82-year-old daughter of a Moroccan soldier killed during action in the 1950-53 Korean War, came to South Korea to participate in a ceremony honoring her father, according to the Moroccan Embassy in Seoul. The memorial ceremony organized by the Korean Ministry of Veterans and Patriots was held to mark the 70th anniversary of the Korean War armistice on Nov. 11 at the UN Memorial Cemetery in Busan. El-Asry paid a touching tribute to her father, Mohamed el-Asry, whose story rema

Nov. 20, 2023

Georgia envoy highlights investment opportunities, 8,000-year wine history at GBF

The Georgian Ambassador to Korea, Tarash Papaskua, talked about the country's potential as an emerging market and its rich 8,000-year-old wine culture at a forum hosted by The Korea Herald on Wednesday. Speaking at the fourth edition of the Global Biz Forum, Papaskua urged Korean CEOs in attendance to explore his country's potential as the shortest and most reliable East-West transportation route and efficient logistics. Highlighting Georgia's economic landscape, Papaskua undersco

Nov. 19, 2023

S. Korea's top diplomat holds talks with Malaysian, Indonesian counterparts at APEC

South Korea's foreign minister held a series of talks with his Malaysian and Indonesian counterparts in San Francisco this week and requested for their countries' support in South Korea's bid to host the 2030 World Expo, his office said Saturday. Park Jin made the request during separate meetings with Malaysian Foreign Minister Zambry Abdul Kadir and Indonesian Foreign Minister Retno Marsudi on Tuesday on the margins of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) ministerial meet

Nov. 18, 2023

At APEC summit, Yoon offers to lead action on climate change, supply chain risks

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol wrapped up a visit to San Francisco on Friday after attending an Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit that demonstrated South Korea's growing solidarity with the United States and Japan and its commitment to leading global action on climate change and supply chain risks. This year's APEC gathering was held under the theme, "Creating a Resilient and Sustainable Future for All," and brought together leaders of the 21 member econom

Nov. 18, 2023

Yoon, Japan's Kishida agree to cooperate in hydrogen sector

South Korean President Yoon Suk Yeol and Japanese Prime Minister Fumio Kishida agreed Friday to work together to cut costs and establish international rules in the hydrogen sector. During a discussion at Stanford University, the two leaders talked about ways their countries can cooperate in the hydrogen sector, given South Korea's wide use of hydrogen cars and Japan's large number of hydrogen-related patents. Both Yoon and Kishida attended the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) s

Nov. 18, 2023

Biden voiced concerns about 'illicit' N. Korean nuclear, missile programs in talks with Xi: official

US President Joe Biden expressed worries about North Korea's "illicit" nuclear and missile programs during his summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping in California this week, a senior US official said Thursday. National Security Council Senior Director for China and Taiwan Affairs Sarah Beran made the remarks during an online press briefing on the summit that took place at the Filoli estate in Woodside, south of San Francisco, on Wednesday. "He raised concerns regarding the

Nov. 17, 2023