[Diplomatic circuit] Former Indonesian foreign minister zeros in on significance of ASEAN

Former Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations played an important role in three aspects -- relationship among member states, their international status and the economy. Natalegawa was in South Korea to launch the Korean edition of his book “Does ASEAN Matter?” last week to commemorate the 30th anniversary of ties between Seoul and ASEAN.The launch comes ahead of the special commemorative summit between South Korea and 10 ASEAN mem

Nov. 18, 2019

[Diplomatic circuit] Korea Foundation, Danish Embassy open VR-incorporated exhibition

The Korea Foundation, the Embassy of Denmark in Seoul and Denmark’s Animation Workshop have opened an exhibition that incorporates virtual reality and animation in celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and Denmark, organizers said.“Just in this room you can visit the island of Hawaii in 1983, and virtually experience its ecosystem. … We are looking forward to more synergies between Korean and Danish animation industries,” Danish Ambas

Nov. 18, 2019

[Diplomatic circuit] Australian Embassy supports water safety education in Seoul

The Australian Embassy in Seoul said Monday it has initiated water safety campaign at Sangcheon Elementary School in northeastern Seoul last week to minimize water-related risks involving children.“The Australian Embassy is proud to collaborate with Lifesaving Society Korea to help educate young South Koreans about how to minimize risks when having fun in water,” Australian Ambassador to Korea James Choi said. “I hope this helps raise awareness of the risks and encourages all K

Nov. 11, 2019

[Diplomatic circuit] Early adopters, use of English contributed to birth of South Korean IT giants: French digital minister

French Secretary of State for Digital Affairs Cedric O said Korean IT giants were created on the back of early adopters and Koreans’ familiarity with English.“South Korea and France have a similar number of unicorns totaling about seven to eight. South Korean IT companies are championing in the field compared to French companies because … the Korean market has a lot of early adopters,” O said.The French minister recalled seeing Koreans watching television on their cellph

Nov. 11, 2019

[Diplomatic circuit] [Meet the diplomat] Mexico top diplomat in Seoul optimistic on Seoul’s Pacific Alliance associate membership prospects

Prior to the cancellation of the APEC summit in Chile, South Korean officials kept tabs on the now-delayed encounter between South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador in hopes the meeting would speed up a trade agreement.Mexico’s top diplomat in Seoul said earlier this month the Latin American country hopes to promptly conclude negotiations on Korea’s associate membership of the Pacific Alliance.Seoul kicked off talks to become part of the t

Nov. 11, 2019

[Diplomatic circuit] Leading Spanish chefs, sommelier offer a glimpse of country’s healthy cuisine

From gambas al ajillo to paella to iberico pork, Spanish cuisine has become familiar here thanks to a surge in South Korean tourists visiting the country on vacation and honeymoon.However, there are a number of common misconceptions here about Spanish food -- that Spanish dishes are heavy on sodium and that olive oil, the majority of which is produced in Spain, is not suitable for frying.Dispelling such misconceptions was the aim of the second Spanish Extravaganza Festival held at the Four Seaso

Nov. 11, 2019

[Herald Interview] Korea must develop strategy to be seen as ‘attractive’: soft power expert

South Korea’s soft power on the global stage has greatly improved over the past few years as a result of the global popularity of K-pop, K-food, K-beauty and Korean goods in general.To further enhance Korea’s status in the international community beyond Asia, Korea Foundation President Lee Geun said the country should form a presence among developed countries and develop a strategy to be perceived as “attractive.”“For South Korea to be acknowledged in Europe (and ot

Nov. 6, 2019

Top diplomats of S. Korea, New Zealand agree to boost bilateral cooperation

The top diplomats of South Korea and New Zealand agreed Tuesday to enhance bilateral ties in the economy, defense and other various fields, Seoul's foreign ministry said.  Foreign Minister Kang Kyung-wha and her counterpart, Winston Peters, held talks in Seoul and agreed to strengthen cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure, as well as in areas of mutual interest, such as hydrogen energy development and research in the Antarctic, the ministry said in a release. They also decided to

Oct. 29, 2019

[Herald Interview] ‘S. Korea can be a gateway to Asia’: FKCCI Managing Director

Amid a steady rise in the number of French entrepreneurs tapping into Korea, the new managing director of the French-Korean Chamber of Commerce and Industry said South Korea can become a gateway to Asia on the back of a host of factors that makes it an appealing business location.“South Korea has a lot of assets for foreign companies with highly qualified labor, supportive policies, an extensive network of FTAs and FEZs. Korea can be seen as a convenient base for investment and to establis

Oct. 29, 2019

[Diplomatic circuit] Korean Cultural Center in Spain sheds light on ‘women’s perspective in film’

The Korean Cultural Center in Spain, in conjunction with the Embassy of Spain in Colombia, introduced four films directed by women at its second Korean & Latin American Film Screening, which took place Oct. 15-24.“The Korean & Latin American Film Screening evening is a project planned by the Korean Cultural Center in Spain. Last April Argentina was selected as the guest country of honor, followed by Colombia,” Yi Chong-yul, director of the Korean Cultural Center in Spain, sai

Oct. 29, 2019

[Diplomatic circuit] US ambassador’s residence reopens to public after trespassing incident

Habib House, the US ambassador’s residence in central Seoul, reopened to the public last weekend a week after a group of protesters climbed the wall into the compound earlier this month.“We opened Habib House grounds to the public today. Terrific event! Partnered with Seoul City to showcase this wonderful historic treasure in the heart of Seoul. Thank you Seoul Metropolitan Agency for powerful support,” US Ambassador to Seoul Harry Harris said on social media Saturday.A group o

Oct. 29, 2019

[Diplomatic circuit] Former top US diplomat highlights pet’s role in two-way public diplomacy

Former top US envoy to Seoul Mark Lippert’s tenure here ended in early 2017, but he remains South Koreans’ most beloved former US ambassador for his friendly personality, his open-mindedness, his fondness for learning the Korean language and, most importantly, his basset hound Grigsby.Lippert, who continues to champion public diplomacy, said public diplomacy is a form of two-way communication, as shown through the popularity of “ambassa-dog” Grigsby. “Public diploma

Oct. 29, 2019

[Diplomatic circuit] Italy chamber boasts regionally certified cuisine

The Italian Chamber of Commerce in Korea organized its first True Italian Taste event at Lotte Hotel in Seoul on Wednesday, seeking to better acquaint the Korean market with flavors of the Emilia-Romagna region of northern Italy.The lunchtime demonstration was hosted by the organization’s Secretary-General Jacopo Giuman and featured a masterclass with chef Roberto Carcangiu from Italy.“We want to (make) aware the people about what is real, authentic Italian,” Giuman said,

Oct. 21, 2019

[ASEAN-Korea summit] Top investment official from Philippines urges S. Korea to consider country as manufacturing base

Philippine Board of Investments Gov. Napoleon Concepcion urged South Korean companies to consider the Philippines as a manufacturing base, rather than a market for finished goods, on the grounds that doing so will boost synergy between the two countries. “Most Korean companies and investors look at the Philippines as a market for finished products. But we also need the transfer of technology (from Korea). If some of Korea’s manufacturing can be done in the Philippines, it can also co

Oct. 21, 2019

[Photo News] Omani Embassy raises cultural awareness

RAISING CULTURAL AWARENESS – Oman’s Ambassador to South Korea Mohamed Alharthy (first row, third left) and Corea Image Communication Institute President Choi Jung-wha (first row, fourth left) pose for a photo after an event held at the Omani Embassy in Seoul, Oct. 15. Alharthy gave an introduction on Oman, including its more than 5,000-year-old culture. during the event organized by CICI which also included a presentation by Geum Key-sook, a professor at Hongik University, on the bea

Oct. 21, 2019

[ASEAN-Korea summit] ASEAN delegation relishes ASEAN-Korea Train, future of ASEAN-Korea

Video shot and edited by Kim So-mee SUNCHEON, South Jeolla Province -- Some 200 participants representing South Korea and the 10 member countries of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations gathered at the lobby of Paradise Hotel, Busan, in the early morning of Thursday beaming with excitement about the second day of the three-day train trip across the country ahead of the ASEAN-Korea special summit in November.After a jam-packed day of a six-hour train ride, a visit to the temple Bulguksa, wh

Oct. 21, 2019

Mandela daughter appointed ambassador to South Korea

The late anti-apartheid activist and Nobel laureate Nelson Mandela’s daughter Zenani Mandela-Dlamini has been appointed South Africa’s ambassador to South Korea, the Foreign Ministry said Thursday.Arriving in Korea on Oct. 2, she visited the ministry on Thursday to hold meetings with officials here.In her previous posts, she served as the South African ambassador to Argentina for five years from 2012, and then was appointed as high commissioner in Mauritius.“I am really happy a

Oct. 17, 2019

S. Korean, ASEAN officials look ahead to special summit and stronger regional ties

BUSAN -- Ahead of the highly anticipated summit in Busan next month between the leaders of South Korea and the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, top officials from participating countries gathered in the southern port city Wednesday and voiced high expectations for the future of the relationship between South Korea and the ASEAN nations.South Korean Ambassador to ASEAN Lim Sung-nam, ASEAN-Korea Center Secretary-General Lee Hyuk, Busan Mayor Oh Keo-don and Myanmar Ambassador to South Korea

Oct. 17, 2019

[Diplomatic circuit] Colombia eyes bolstering exports to S. Korea: trade minister

Colombia’s Minister of Trade, Industry and Tourism Jose Manuel Restrepo said the country is keen to bolster South Korea-bound exports, stressing now is the time to reshape bilateral trade between the two nations. “Exports from Colombia (to Korea) are (valued at) $600 million. The number of exporters (from Colombia) is growing. On the other side, we have imports of Korea at around $800 million. This means the balance is against Colombia. But that balance improving,” Colombian Mi

Oct. 14, 2019

[Diplomatic circuit] German ambassador to Korea hopes for unity on Korean Peninsula

German Ambassador to South Korea Stephen Auer said last week he hopes for the peaceful reunification of the two Koreas in the near future, as Germany celebrated the 29th anniversary of its reunification and the 30th anniversary of the fall of the Berlin Wall.“Today is an emotional day not only for the German people but also for Koreans. The day of German unity and the fall of the Wall are special occasions because of our shared history of the separation of our nations,” Auer said at

Oct. 14, 2019