[Herald Interview] ‘Turkey, Korea can reap economic fruits from historic ties’

Since successfully completing several joint infrastructure construction projects in Turkey -- including the Eurasian Tunnel, an underground tunnel bridging Europe and Asia beneath the Bosporus Strait, and Yavuz Sultan Selim Bridge, one that carries rail and motor vehicles above the strait -- Turkish and Korean companies have gone beyond Turkey to win bids in third markets. One of them is a consortium consisting of Korea Highway Corp., SK Engineering and Construction and Turkish companies Alarko

March 19, 2018

Bulgaria touts UNESCO treasures while on Council of EU presidency

The Bulgarian Embassy held a photo exhibition last week that highlighted the country’s UNESCO treasures. The event, which ran from Monday to Sunday at Gangnam Tourist Information Center, featured 17 large-scale photographs by Bulgarian photographer Alexander Nishkov, showing Bulgaria’s seven historical sites and two natural heritage sites on the list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. “The strategic position of Bulgaria as a land at a crossroads between Euro

March 19, 2018

Ireland-Korea ties buoyed by free trade, democracy, culture: Irish minister

Eoghan Murphy, Irish minister for housing, planning and local government, visited Korea last week to promote Ireland as an attractive investment destination and important trade partner, coinciding with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.“My government is committed to building a stronger and more vibrant relationship with the Asian region and Korea is a key partner for us,” he said at a reception in Seoul on March 13, in front of some 200 guests.“Our trade in both directions is growing rapidly with t

March 19, 2018

[Herald Interview] ‘Zambia, land of peace, stability and investment opportunities’

For Zambian Ambassador to Korea Wylbur Simuusa, rectifying the mismatch between Zambia’s solid position in Africa and its obscure presence in Korea is one of his most urgent tasks. Zambia is known in Africa as a nation of peace and stability, an honest broker that has mediated numerous peace agreements and helped neighboring countries gain independence, he told The Korea Herald. It has also sheltered countless freedom fighters and refugees from bordering countries, while having no major internal

March 12, 2018

Bulgaria celebrates Council of EU presidency on National Day

The Bulgarian Embassy celebrated last week the presidency of the Council of the European Union this year, as well as its 140th anniversary of national independence from the Ottoman Empire on March 3, 1878.“In March 2018, exactly 140 years after the restoration of our statehood, the Republic of Bulgaria is holding the presidency of the Council of the EU until June 30, the first time since our EU accession in 2007,” said Bulgarian Ambassador Petar Andonov in a speech at a reception in Seoul on Mar

March 12, 2018

Georgia mourns death of citizen in Russian detention

Georgia expresses its deep sorrow over the death of its citizen Archil Tatunashvili in the region of Tskhinvali, also known as South Ossetia, who was killed while under detention by occupying Russian forces on Feb. 22, said the Georgian Embassy in Seoul. The Georgian Ministry of Foreign Affairs also condemned those responsible for his death and urged Russia to return his body for a medical examination and burial, it added. Two more Georgian citizens had previously been detained in the region, on

March 12, 2018

British envoy leaves Korea with peace of mind, optimism for tomorrow

British Ambassador Charles Hay wrapped up his three-year tenure in Korea, having helped enhance all-encompassing bilateral relations from trade and investment to defense, culture and education.Hay, a former director of consular services in London in charge of crisis response prior to his posting here, began his ambassadorship in February 2015. He left Korea last week. In a media interview at the embassy on Wednesday, the career diplomat said he had a “remarkable” three years in the country, witn

March 5, 2018

Exhibition shows vibrant colors of Mexican nature

The Mexican Embassy in Korea has organized an art exhibition featuring iconic representations of Mexican landscapes and lives at the Mun Gallery of Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul.The event “Geographies, Contemporary Mexican Art in Korea” runs through next Tuesday free of charge. It has been arranged in collaboration with the Seoul Design Foundation.From the vigorous hues of deserts to vivacious tapestries of urban life, and from the virginal marine life to visionary imagination of topographies

March 5, 2018

[Herald Interview] ‘Kazakhstan seeks Korean expertise in green technologies, investments’

Kazakhstan, the world’s largest landlocked country, has primarily relied on its coal, oil and natural gas for energy, but is now moving toward renewables as global trends change. With the world shifting away from polluting energy sources to cleaner forms, Kazakhstan is keen on making the transition and eventually becoming the region’s pacesetter in the green economy, according to its top diplomat in charge of green technology investments. The blueprint for Kazakhstan’s plan to become a greener e

March 5, 2018

Foreign Minister Kang leaves for Geneva to attend UN human rights meeting

South Korean Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha left for Geneva, Switzerland, on Sunday to attend a UN meeting on human rights where she will likely touch on North Korea and the wartime sexual slavery of Korean women by Japan.Kang plans to deliver a keynote speech at the UN Human Rights Council meeting which kicks off Monday (local time), according to the foreign ministry. The Geneva-based council has adopted a resolution condemning the North's human rights situation every year since its launch in

Feb. 25, 2018

S. Korean, Finnish foreign ministers discuss cooperation on N. Korean nukes

Finland's foreign minister reaffirmed his support for South Korea's policy on North Korea in a meeting with his South Korean counterpart in Seoul on Thursday, the foreign ministry said. The meeting between Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and Finnish Foreign Minister Timo Soini was held to discuss bilateral and global cooperation as well as the security situation on the Korean Peninsula.Kang called for Finland's "sustained attention and cooperation" with regard to South Korea's push to open denuc

Feb. 22, 2018

Korean Prime Minister holds talks with Finnish counterpart

Prime Minister Lee Nak-yon met with Finnish Prime Minister Juha Sipila on Monday and discussed ways to increase substantial cooperation between the two countries and other issues of common interest, his office said.Sipila arrived in South Korea on Saturday for a six-day visit on the occasion of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics. The trip includes a visit to the athletes‘ village and attendance at Olympic events involving Finnish athletes.During Monday’s meeting, Lee said that the two countries hav

Feb. 19, 2018

Tanzania, Korea reach new heights with embassy opening

Tanzania opened its inaugural embassy in Seoul on Wednesday, laying the foundation for comprehensive and firsthand engagement with South Korea after the two countries marked the silver jubilee of bilateral relations last year. The milestone event at the diplomatic mission in the Yongsan district was attended by a throng of guests, including former United Nations Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon, Tanzanian Foreign Minister Augustine Mahiga and Korean First Vice Foreign Minister Lim Sung-nam, as well

Feb. 5, 2018

German youths to immerse in Olympic fest, Korean culture

German youths will have a unique experience of sampling the Olympic spirit and hobnobbing with young Koreans as part of the German Olympic Youth Camp, according to the German Embassy in Seoul. A team of 40 high-performing young athletes and volunteers between ages 16-19 from Germany will visit Korea from Feb. 8-21 for the PyeongChang Winter Olympic Games in Gangwon Province. Their visit is organized by the German Olympic Academy and German Sports Youths commissioned by the German Olympic Sports

Feb. 5, 2018

Young Diplomats Academy inspires brave new generation

Thai Ambassador Sarun Charoensuwan has served his country faithfully, cultivating a positive image and remaining mindful of how his words and deeds are perceived under his ambassadorial watch. The top diplomat from Thailand has also acquired “a vast range of general knowledge and experiences in foreign affairs, as well as related protocols and etiquettes” throughout his career, he told enthusiastic students at The Korea Herald Young Diplomats Academy and Young Opinion Leaders’ Knowledge Forum la

Feb. 5, 2018

[Herald Interview] ‘Sri Lanka sweet spot of Seoul’s New Southern Policy’

Sri Lanka, an island nation located at the heart of the Indian Ocean, looks to Korea for greater synergies as South Asia and East Asia increasingly engage each other based on their complementary needs, says the country’s top envoy to Korea. Much like the Korean government’s New Southern Policy targeting enhanced cooperation with Southeast Asian and South Asian nations, Sri Lanka has its Look East Policy aimed at deeper integration with East Asian economies, said Ambassador Manisha Gunasekera in

Feb. 5, 2018

India marks constitutional anniversary, democratic progress with Korea

The Indian Embassy in Seoul celebrated the 69th anniversary of its Republic Day on Friday, which honors the entry into force of India’s constitution on Jan. 26, 1950. The constitution replaced the Government of India Act of 1935 as the nation’s supreme law. Jan. 26 was chosen because India’s declaration of independence was proclaimed by the Indian National Congress that day. Over 400 guests participated in a reception marking the event at the Some Sevit culture complex in Seoul, including politi

Jan. 29, 2018

ASEAN tourism set to reach new heights

The ASEAN-Korea Center in Seoul was bestowed an award last week for invigorating tourism between the Association of Southeast Asian Nations and Korea.Kim Young-sun, the center’s secretary-general and Korean ambassador to Indonesia from 2011-14, received a “Visit ASEAN at 50” certificate award from Thai Minister of Tourism and Sports Weerasak Kowsurat at the 37th ASEAN Tourism Forum in Chiang Mai, Thailand, on Friday.The accolade is given to the regional bloc’s partnering organizations that have

Jan. 29, 2018