France hosts first sports cooperation festival with Korea

French Ambassador to Korea Fabien Penone (second from left) poses with participants at the Sports Festival's concluding reception at the embassy on Friday.(French Embassy)The Embassy of France in Seoul, supported by the French Ministry of Sports, helped host the first Festival of Sports in Korea from Sept. 14-27. During the celebration, a series of sports and outdoor events were organized throughout the country, including petanque, basketball, soccer, futsal, rugby and hiking, among other sports

Oct. 1, 2018

Chinese ambassador says Seoul-Beijing ties fully back on track

Chinese Ambassador to Seoul Qiu Guohong said Friday that the two countries have fully restored trust in their relationship following President Moon Jae-in's state visit to Beijing last year.During his courtesy visit to Lee Hae-chan, chairman of South Korea's ruling Democratic Party, he also said both countries have maintained their strategic communication channels on safeguarding peace and security on the Korean Peninsula. Lee Hae-chan (L), chairman of South Korea`s ruling Democratic Party, shak

Sept. 28, 2018

Ukrainian economy upbeat with strong growth in IT, agriculture

Ukraine is progressing steadily by reforming its economy and aligning itself closer to the European Union, the country’s top envoy to Korea said, noting the Eastern European nation looks to engage South Korea for a future-oriented partnership. “Our country, with our new armed forces, is emerging stronger from its conflict with Russia, our economy is boosted by modernization reforms and the association agreement with the European Union, and our society is aware of its goals and existential choice

Sept. 17, 2018

‘UK seeks business continuity after Brexit’

Sir Simon McDonald, the UK permanent undersecretary and head of the diplomatic service (Yonhap)With less than 200 days to Brexit on March 29, 2019, the United Kingdom is busy hammering out the terms of its separation from the European Union, and the possibility of a “no deal” serves no one’s interest, the UK’s top career diplomat said last week. In a press meeting with local journalists, Sir Simon McDonald, the UK’s permanent undersecretary and head of the diplomatic service, stressed that Brita

Sept. 17, 2018

Mexico-Korea commerce set for smooth sailing

Despite no free trade agreement, Korea is Mexico’s sixth-largest trade partner, and the two economies had more than $15 billion of bilateral trade last year. That is about to get an even further boost when they enter into a free trade agreement and Seoul joins the Pacific Alliance of Chile, Colombia, Peru and Mexico as an associate member state, according to Mexico’s top envoy to Korea. “Last year was full of challenges, but also of unique opportunities. We have stood for the values that have gi

Sept. 17, 2018

[Herald Interview] Le Havre, an ideal partner in maritime industry, public decentralization

With France’s largest container harbor, a picturesque beach promenade, world-class amenities and bucolic scenery that formed the backdrops of impressionist paintings, Le Havre has all the ingredients for a hedonistic seaside life.The city is located on the bank of the Seine Estuary in the Normandy region of northwestern France. In recent years, it has been an apposite recipient of decentralization from Paris, a move intended to strengthen the city’s global competitiveness and its democratic gove

Sept. 17, 2018

‘France, Korea can achieve long-term growth with strategic cooperation’

France and Korea can increase cooperation in developing markets in Africa, Southeast Asia and potentially North Korea, said David-Pierre Jalicon, the chairman of the French Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry, adding that the two middle powers should collaborate strategically for their long-term economic benefit. “France has always favored multilateralism,” he said during an informal meeting with Herald Corp. CEO Kwon Chung-won last week at the company headquarters in Seoul. “Korea has tradi

Sept. 10, 2018

Foreign envoys learn about vaccines at IVI

The International Vaccine Institute on Sept. 4 hosted foreign diplomats at its headquarters in Seoul and briefed them about its latest international projects and accomplishments.The institute also gave a tour of its laboratories to the envoys, who represent member states of the organization, which exclusively develops new vaccines to protect the world’s poorest people, especially children in developing countries. The meeting coincided with the 18th International Vaccinology Course, a weeklong ev

Sept. 10, 2018

Riga to host Baltic Sea’s first 5G conference

Latvia will host the Baltic Sea region’s first international conference on fifth-generation wireless technology in Riga from Sept. 27-28, according to the Latvian Embassy in Seoul. The Baltic Sea Region 5G Ecosystem Forum, also called 5G Techritory, will gather more than 1,000 participants from around the world, marking this year’s centenary anniversary of independence of Baltic states Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania.As the world’s premier event on 5G, the forum will discuss business models and op

Sept. 10, 2018

Australia’s sustainably produced wines, food hit Korean market

Across Australia’s vast territory, wine, dairy products, wheat, barley, beef and mutton are produced under world-leading sustainable practices and stringent quarantine policies. The country’s low population density also ensures that these products are free from the bulk of agricultural pests, diseases and contaminants.The nation’s popular wines were featured at the Australian Wine Grand Tasting 2018 event at Le Meridien Hotel in Seoul on Thursday. The annual event was hosted by the Australian Tr

Sept. 10, 2018

Top diplomats of S. Korea, Japan to meet next week over outcome of envoys' Pyongyang visit

The top diplomats of South Korea and Japan will hold talks on the sidelines of an economic forum in Vietnam next week to share the outcome of the South Korean delegation's recent trip to Pyongyang, Seoul's foreign ministry said Friday.Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and her Japanese counterpart, Taro Kono, will meet on Tuesday during the three-day regional meeting of the World Economic Forum, which is slated to end Thursday. (Yonhap)Seoul's presidential delegation, led by chief security adviser

Sept. 7, 2018

Foreign diplomats from 48 countries to visit DMZ

Dozens of Seoul-based diplomats will visit the Demilitarized Zone on Friday in a tour arranged by the culture ministry to promote South Korea's efforts to turn the vestige of the Korean War into a symbol of peace.Culture Minister Do Jong-whan will join ambassadors and representatives from 48 countries, including the United States, Britain, Spain, Portugal, Singapore, Iran and Iraq, in the tour of the buffer zone between the Koreas, the culture ministry said. (Yonhap)They will visit Jangdan Bean

Sept. 7, 2018

[Contribution] Kabul Peace Process gaining momentum

On Feb. 28, the National Unity Government of Afghanistan hosted a landmark conference called the Kabul Peace Process aimed at starting a process of Afghanistan-led peace and reconciliation.Representatives of 30 countries, including South Korea, as well as regional and international organizations including the United Nations and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization, attended the event and gave support to our government.The government of the Islamic Republic of Afghanistan is seeking lasting pea

Sept. 3, 2018

[Herald Interview] Northeast Asian professionals pool innovative ideas for common prosperity

With a combined gross domestic product of over $20 trillion -- nearly one-quarter of the global economy -- the economies of China, Japan and South Korea have colossal potential for synergy, innovation and growth once systematically integrated, economists have said for decades. Beijing, Seoul and Tokyo -- together “Beseto” -- are negotiating a trilateral free trade agreement, with the 13th round of negotiations held in Seoul from March 22-23 over trade in goods and services, investment, telecommu

Sept. 3, 2018

Indonesia gives out awards for enhancing bilateral ties

Indonesian Ambassador to Korea Umar Hadi on Aug. 26 conferred plaques of appreciation to two Korean companies that employ Indonesians here. Buheung System and DK&D received awards following a rigorous selection process by a panel of judges comprising Indonesians in Korea and embassy staff, according to the diplomatic mission. The companies provided Indonesians the same wage as Koreans, accommodations and other facilities and holidays as specified by law. They also protected the workers’ conditio

Sept. 3, 2018

Irish LGBTI activist to visit Korea

Irish drag queen Rory O’Neill, aka Panti Bliss (Conor Horgan)Irish drag queen Rory O’Neill, aka Panti Bliss, will visit Korea in early October to discuss the campaign for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex people in Ireland, including the 2015 referendum on marriage equality and related challenges in Ireland and around the world, according to the Embassy of Ireland in Seoul. O’Neill is considered Ireland’s foremost drag queen. From 1996 through 2012, O’Neill was the hostess of the

Sept. 3, 2018

Libyan head of state calls off S. Korea visit due to domestic issues

Libyan leader Fayez Mustafa Al-Sarraj has called off his scheduled trip to South Korea this week, citing domestic issues, Seoul's presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said Sunday.Sarraj, chairman of the Presidential Council of Libya, was originally scheduled to arrive here this week for a bilateral summit with South Korean President Moon Jae-in on Wednesday. Libya`s unity government Prime Minister Fayez al-Sarraj speaks about the latest situations in the capital Tripoli on August 30, 2018. - At lea

Sept. 2, 2018

Kazakhstan’s urban, natural wonders unveiled

The Korea Foundation, working in partnership with the Embassy of Kazakhstan in Korea, has organized a photo exhibition that illuminates the urban and natural wonders of the Central Asian giant at KF Gallery in Seoul.The event, which runs through Saturday, is organized in collaboration with Kazakhstan’s Foundation of the First President. For the second time here, it shows photographs of the country’s capital Astana and natural landscapes by Kazakhstani photographers, continuing from previous show

Aug. 27, 2018

Philippine Palawan touts ecotourism riches

The ASEAN-Korea Center organized a tourism capacity-building workshop in the Philippines’ archipelagic province of Palawan on Friday, gathering industry experts to discuss raising tourism competitiveness of the region replete with rare natural reserves. Some 100 Filipino and Korean professionals from both public and private sectors participated in the event held in the popular tourist region, home to pristine natural attractions, national parks as well as vibrant flora and fauna. They discussed

Aug. 27, 2018