Georgia marks 100th anniversary of Democratic Republic

The Georgian Embassy last week celebrated the centennial anniversary of the Democratic Republic of Georgia, the nation’s first modern, democratic state established on May 26, 1918 and lasting through Feb. 25, 1921.“This year, all Georgians throughout the world share the festive spirit of this very special occasion in our country’s millennialong history,” said Georgian Ambassador to Korea Otar Berdzenishvili in a speech at a reception in Seoul on May 15. “The declaration of independence 100 years

May 21, 2018

[Herald Interview] ‘Korea should commiserate with Palestinian suffering for its peace, justice’

South Koreans should empathize with the plight of the Palestinians under Israeli occupation as the country seeks peaceful coexistence with North Korea, and deals with Japan to redress lingering injustices from the colonial occupation, said the head of nongovernmental organization Help Syria in an interview. Abdul Wahab, who established the NGO dedicated to aiding Syrians under the Syrian government’s brutal oppression, took part in a protest in front of the Israeli Embassy in Seoul on May 14 aga

May 21, 2018

Trump names Admiral Harry Harris new US ambassador to South Korea

US President Donald Trump on Friday named Harry Harris, current commander of the US Pacific Command, his first ambassador to South Korea at a critical diplomatic juncture on the Korean Peninsula.The White House made the announcement just weeks ahead of a nuclear summit between Trump and North Korean leader Kim Jong-un and days ahead of a meeting in Washington between Trump and South Korean President Moon Jae-in.Harris was reported to be Trump’s pick last month after initially being tapped as the

May 19, 2018

Mexican Garden opens at Suncheon Bay National Garden

The Mexican Embassy in Seoul, in collaboration with Mexican company Grupo Promax, opened the Mexican Garden inside the Suncheon Bay National Garden in South Jeolla Province.The garden covering an area of 900 square meters symbolizes the convergence of ancient and modern Mexican civilizations in vibrant colors. Rows of dahlias, Mexico’s national flower, palm trees and other national plants decorate the site atop a grass-covered stone structure, the embodiment of the Mayan Kukulkan pyramid. Colorf

May 18, 2018

Azerbaijan illuminates catwalk with national costumes

In a proud demonstration of the nation’s wearable heritage, the Azerbaijani Embassy in Korea marked the centenary anniversary of the Azerbaijan Democratic Republic (1918-20), a short-lived nation-state precursor to the modern-day Republic of Azerbaijan, by showcasing the vibrant colors and tapestries of its traditional costumes. “Azerbaijan’s national dresses are the results of long and complicated historical processes in the nation’s cultural and intellectual developments,” Azerbaijani Ambassad

May 18, 2018

House of jazz

Members of the Corea Image Communications Institute pose Saturday at Nine House, the home of Jarasum International Jazz Festival director In Jae-jin and his spouse, jazz vocalist Youn Sun-nah, in Gapyeong, Gyeonggi Province, as part of the Korea CQ Forum. The members, including Japanese Ambassador Yasumasa Nagamine, Latvian Ambassador Peteris Vaivars, Hungarian Ambassador Gabor Csaba, Yonsei University professor and former United Nations Undersecretary-General Kim Won-soo and Korean Ambassador f

May 15, 2018

[Herald Interview] ‘India, Korea can leap forward across Indo-Pacific’

With the anticipated visit of South Korean President Moon Jae-in to India this year, New Delhi looks forward to stronger pragmatic engagement with Seoul, harnessing synergies in their mutual pivots across the Indo-Pacific region, according to India’s top envoy to Korea.Similar to Korea, which has announced its “New Southern Policy” aimed at strengthening ties with Southeast Asian and South Asian countries, India has its “Act East Policy,” which builds on the previous “Look East Policy,” with a g

May 14, 2018

Poland, Korea celebrate thriving ties springing from independence

The Polish Embassy in Seoul last week marked the birth of the country’s modern supreme law, the May 3 constitution of 1791, which rooted Poland in the course of modern development and gave the country the legal foundations of a democratic constitutional monarchy.The second of its kind in the world following the US constitution of 1787, the supreme code introduced political equality between townspeople and nobility by placing peasants under government protection and mitigating undue abuses of ser

May 7, 2018

EU promotes cultural heritage for prosperous future

European Union Ambassador Michael Reiterer on Wednesday congratulated Korea on the 30th anniversary of its accession to the UNESCO World Heritage Convention, at the same time introducing Europe’s vibrant and thriving cultural promotional initiative. “The Republic of Korea is doing outstanding work in relation to the reuse of industrial and military heritage sites, as well as participative governance of cultural heritage,” Reiterer said at an international seminar in Seoul marking the anniversary

May 7, 2018

UK commits to trailblazing deal in artificial intelligence

The British government has struck a 1 billion pound ($1.36 billion) agreement with the UK’s artificial intelligence industry to pave the way for leading the emerging internet-of-things economy, according to the British Embassy in Seoul. More than 50 leading technology companies and organizations have made varying contributions to the Artificial Intelligence Sector Deal, with almost 300 million pounds coming from the private sector. Over 1,000 doctoral programs funded by the government will keep

May 7, 2018

[Herald Interview] ‘As North Korea reforms, European Union can assist’

As the two Koreas strive for conciliation, cooperation and peace, the European Union can lend its expertise, using its far-reaching diplomatic outreach, technical know-how and track record of rules-based engagement, according to a Korea chair based in Brussels. Ramon Pacheco Pardo, the Korea Foundation-Vrije Universiteit Brussel Korea chair at the Institute for European Studies, told The Korea Herald that the EU has pursued a policy of “critical engagement” with the North, using a carrot and sti

May 7, 2018

Arab envoys meet ex-UN chief at Omani Embassy

Omani Ambassador to Korea Mohamed al-Harthy hosted former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, South Korean Vice Foreign Minister Cho Hyun and other Arab ambassadors at the Omani Embassy in Seoul on April 24. Al-Harthy organized the meeting as dean of the diplomatic corps and on behalf of the Council of Arab Ambassadors in Korea. Also in attendance were officials from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs’ Middle Eastern and North African Affairs, Korea-Arab Society and S-Oil. The Omani envoy

April 30, 2018

Democratic, denuclearized South Africa marks Freedom Day

The South African Embassy in Seoul marked the 24th anniversary of Freedom Day -- a national holiday commemorating the first post-apartheid elections in 1994 -- at a reception Thursday. “What is special about this year’s celebration is that it coincides with the centenary on July 18 of the birth of our icon and symbol of peace, late former President Nelson Mandela,” said South African Ambassador to Korea Nozuko Gloria Bam in a speech. Mentioning the recent passing on April 2 of the late Winnie Ma

April 30, 2018

Thailand honors Korean nursing scholar for public health contributions

The Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul on April 24 gave recognition to Dr. Kim Eui-sook, professor emeritus at Yonsei University College of Nursing, who received the Princess Srinagarindra Award for her contributions to the nursing profession and public health.Kim received the award, named after late Thai Princess Srinagarindra Mahidol (1900-95), at the Royal Palace in Bangkok in December last year. The honor is conferred annually to individuals or groups of registered nurses and midwives who made sign

April 30, 2018

‘Open data indispensable from smart citizenry’

In an increasingly interconnected world of digital communications and the internet of things, it will be correspondingly vital to make public data open and available to citizen control for greater democratic oversight, according to a scholar specializing in the social impacts of digital technologies and media. Dominique Cardon, a professor of sociology and director of the media lab at the Paris Institute of Political Studies, commonly known as Sciences Po, also said in an interview that the publ

April 30, 2018

Australia’s startup scene brims with innovative potential

Australia is embracing new ideas in innovation and exploiting new sources of economic growth for the “fourth industrial revolution,” said its top envoy to Korea, encouraging firms to invest in the country’s thriving startup ecosystem. Australia’s fast-growing start-up ecosystem, supported by the government’s $1.1 billion National Innovation and Science Agenda announced in December 2015, provides great opportunities for Australian and international startups to test and build their businesses, sai

April 23, 2018

EU ambassadors vow inclusion on Day of Disabled

ropean Union Ambassador to Korea Michael Reiterer (center) poses with Korean university students at a 2018 PyeongChang Paralympic curling match on Mar. 13. (European Union Delegation in Korea)European Union Ambassadors hailed the spirit of the Paralympics and called for continued efforts to build inclusive societies on April 20 Day of the Disabled. “The ambassadors of EU Member States and I were privileged to witness the dedication and efforts of athletes with disabilities at the PyeongChang Par

April 23, 2018