[Herald Interview] ‘Korea wise to embrace ASEAN’s unity-in-diversity mentality’

Korea should develop a holistic relationship with the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and move beyond its mercantilist instincts toward a long-term, trust-based partnership, according to the new chief of the ASEAN-Korea Center. Lee Hyuk, formerly the South Korean ambassador to Vietnam and the Philippines, took helm of the intergovernmental organization entrusted with invigorating bilateral commerce, tourism and cultural exchanges in April. In an exclusive interview with The Korea Herald,

April 23, 2018

S. Korean president to receive credentials of six new foreign ambassadors

South Korean President Moon Jae-in was set to receive credentials of six new foreign ambassadors in Seoul Friday, the presidential office Cheong Wa Dae said.The new ambassadors are Simon Smith of Britain, Antoine Azzam of Lebanon, Daul Matute Mejia of Peru, Juan Pablo Rodriguez Barragan of Colombia, Laposatepun Singtong of Thailand and Hyder Shiya Albarrak of Iraq. (Yonhap) President Moon Jae-in (Yonhap)

April 20, 2018

Laos marks 2,561st anniversary of Lunar New Year

The Lao Embassy celebrated the 2,561st anniversary of the country’s Lunar New Year at a reception in Seoul on Friday. “According to our lunar calendar this year, the Lao New Year, or Water Festival, will be celebrated for three days from April 14 through 16,” said Lao Ambassador to Korea Khamsouay Keodalavong in a speech. “During these festive holidays, Lao people around the world joyfully celebrate the occasion, which consists of watering Buddha images, monks, elders, friends and passersby. Fam

April 16, 2018

Polish cultural festival to brighten Cheonggye Plaza

Participants pose at the annual Polish Day festival at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul on April 30 last year (Polish Embassy)The Polish Embassy will organize the annual Polish Day festival at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul on May 6, from 10 a.m. through 5 p.m., introducing the Central European country’s culture, products and language.Various goods made in or representing Poland will be showcased, including cosmetics, potteries, aronia and sweets. Polish food stalls will be open as well, alongside a lucky dra

April 16, 2018

Italy, Korea invigorate cooperation in cutting-edge science, technology

The Italian Embassy in Seoul hosted a networking reception on Thursday, marking Italian Research Day, which celebrates the country’s scientific achievements and supports research exchanges abroad on April 15, the birthday of Leonardo da Vinci. The diplomatic mission organized the event in cooperation with its Science and Technology Office, inviting 25 Italian scientists here, presidents of various universities, researchers and journalists. The day is organized by the Italian Ministry of Educatio

April 16, 2018

[Contribution] ‘Foreign workers grease wheels of Korea’s development’

Had people around the world not reached out to one another beyond their national borders, we would all be living in silos in our national communities.Grassroots contacts among nations have given birth to innovation, progress and coexistence, all of which are increasingly imperative in driving humanity forward together.The miraculous economic and human development the Republic of Korea has achieved over the last several decades is unrivaled the world over. It has transformed the war-ravaged natio

April 16, 2018

ASEAN students receive tips on landing jobs in Korea

The ASEAN-Korea Center in Seoul organized a career mentoring seminar on March 31 to help Southeast Asian students get started in Korea’s competitive, yet promising job market. Some 80 students from the Association of Southeast Asian Nations participated in the event, where information on applying for jobs, such as writing an effective curriculum vitae, resumes and cover letters, as well as tips on answering interview questions, were provided. “The number of ASEAN youths studying in Korea continu

April 9, 2018

Indian infrastructure minister visits Korea

Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Indian minister of road transport, highways and shipping (Nitin Gadkari)Nitin Jairam Gadkari, Indian minister of road transport, highways and shipping, visited Korea on Monday for a four-day tour of the country and to promote India’s infrastructure development opportunities, according to the Indian Embassy in Seoul. “India is putting a premium on infrastructure development with the announcement of 100 smart cities development in 2014, and creation of industrial corridors an

April 9, 2018

Korean ambassador to Vietnam honored for upping ties

The incoming secretary-general of the ASEAN-Korea Center, Lee Hyuk, who is currently serving as South Korean ambassador to Vietnam, was bestowed last week with the Medal for Peace and Friendship among Nations in recognition of his contributions to enhancing cooperation between Vietnam and Korea. Lee, a career diplomat who was also the Korean ambassador to the Philippines from 2012-2015, was awarded by Vice President and Secretary-General of the Vietnam Union of Friendship Organizations Don Tuan

April 9, 2018

[Herald Interview] ‘Public diplomacy critical for peace in perilous times’

As the United States and North Korea gear up for a historic summit in May, exchanging views vigorously through public diplomacy is paramount in order to rationalize debates and reduce policy excesses, according to Korea Foundation President Lee Si-hyung. “Ahead of the Pyongyang-Seoul summit on April 27 and Pyongyang-Washington summit in May, only airtight cooperation between the US and Korea can strengthen their negotiating leverage and bring about the North’s substantive changes,” Lee told The

April 9, 2018

Bangladesh, Korea poised to advance cooperation in high tech, energy

The Bangladeshi Embassy in Seoul celebrated the 47th anniversary of national independence at a reception in Seoul on March 26. The National Day commemorates the South Asian nation’s declaration of independence from Pakistan in the late hours of March 25, 1971.“On this great day, I pay my homage to the greatest Bangalee of all time, father of our nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Majibur Rahman, whose leadership in our struggle for independence finally culminated in the emergence of Bangladesh as a nati

April 2, 2018

EU inspires, educates students at 55th diplomatic anniversary

The European Union delegation in Korea last week celebrated the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea by allowing students from Seoul’s Insoo Middle School to design the logo of the anniversary. The winning logo, designed by student Shin Ah-young, will be used at various promotional events and communications between EU and Korean diplomats throughout this year. “Diplomatic relations are not just about interaction between governments, but also cooperation between peo

April 2, 2018

[Herald Interview] ‘Career at ICRC immensely rewarding, gratifying’

Boris Michel, a Swiss citizen working as regional director for the Asia-Pacific region at the International Committee of the Red Cross, believes he grew up in a “privileged environment where the culture of neutrality, consensus and altruism” piqued his interest in humanitarian work.“A lawyer by training, I have learned quickly that a society without rules and principles can lead to abuse and suffering,” he told The Korea Herald last week, adding he has worked in conflict zones in Africa, Central

April 2, 2018

‘EU supports ‘critical engagement’ with NK’

International sanctions against North Korea for eliminating its nuclear and missile programs should not be an end in itself, but the means to force the regime to comply with the global nonproliferation regime, said a senior European Union official during an official visit to Korea last week.Helga Schmid, secretary general of the EU’s External Action Service, said the EU lends full support for the “peaceful, negotiated solution” of Pyongyang’s denuclearization, aimed at providing lasting security

April 2, 2018

UK Embassy plays soccer with NK defectors for charity

The British Embassy in Seoul, together with British citizens in Korea, participated in a sporting event Saturday to raise money for charity. The United Kingdom’s diplomatic missions around the world and the public take part in the Sport Relief event biannually for charities of various purposes. This year, as part of the campaign, the local embassy staff and North Korea defectors played a friendly soccer match at Seoul Foreign School with the money raised going to the Eugene Bell Foundation -- a

March 27, 2018

‘Lending ears to scholars can rationalize diplomacy’

Over the last week, Pradeep Taneja, who lectures on international relations at the University of Melbourne in Australia, toured Korea and witnessed its sound economy and tense security. Taneja, along with 10 scholars and researchers from Australia, visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Unification, National Assembly, National Diplomatic Academy, Australian Embassy and Asan Institute for Policy Studies, among other destinations, in a program jointly organized by the Korea Founda

March 27, 2018

Costa Rican coffee gains stronger presence in Korea

Costa Rican coffee has secured a stronger position in the Korean market, where coffee consumption is steadily growing, according to the Costa Rican Embassy in Seoul. Various types of Costa Rican coffee will be showcased at the Coffee Expo Seoul at Coex from Apr. 5-8.Costa Rica is the host country of the global event, with several of its coffee producers and exporters participating and presenting their sustainable production methods. They will also hold coffee-making sessions and expand their net

March 27, 2018

[Herald Interview] ‘There will be no hiccups in two-way commerce after Brexit’

Before starting his tenure here in early March, British Ambassador Simon Smith spent six months last year learning the Korean language in Seoul. “I’ve had a lot of experience learning different languages over the last 33 years as a diplomat, and Korean was the most difficult,” he told journalists at the British Embassy in Seoul last week, adding he aims to improve his Korean to deepen his understanding of the country. “I also want to be able to read major works of Korean literature and travel an

March 27, 2018

Leaders of S. Korea, UAE agree to upgrade ties, boost economic cooperation

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan agreed Sunday to upgrade their countries' relationship to a "special strategic partnership," possibly paving the way for a boosting of their ties and economic cooperation to the level of allies.In a bilateral summit, the two leaders also reaffirmed their agreement to launch regular talks between their senior foreign and defense officials, known as the Two Plus Two Dialogue, along with a new strategic di

March 25, 2018