Defense minister mourns passing of former USFK commander

South Korean Defense Minister Han Min-koo formally marked the passing of former U.S. Forces Korea commander William Livsey, known for starting and concluding his military career in South Korea.Livsey died on June 18 at age 85. The late general served his first combat tour in 1953 during the Korean War and concluded his 35-year military career as USFK commander in 1987. He also served during the Vietnam War.(yonhap)"The bond between the Korean people and General Livsey was a special one, as he wa

Aug. 8, 2016

Morocco marks Throne Day, thriving ties with Korea

The Moroccan embassy celebrated the 17th anniversary of King Mohammed VI’s enthronement and burgeoning ties with Korea at a reception in Seoul last week. “More than just a festive event, Moroccans are commemorating the longstanding tradition of the ‘act of allegiance,’ a binding contract between the king and the people,” Moroccan Ambassador Mohammed Chraibi said in a speech on Aug. 1. “The Throne Day is a unique tribute to the millennial attachment between the king and the people. It represents

Aug. 7, 2016

Bolivia welcomes investment amid industrialization boom

The Bolivian embassy commemorated the 191th anniversary of national independence last week, also highlighting opportunities in the course of a decade-long social and economic progress.The event on Aug. 6, 1825 liberated the Latin American nation from the grip of colonial Spain that had started in the 16th century. Through unrelenting guerilla resistance by revolutionaries since 1809 -- chiefly Venezuelan general and politician Simon Bolivar, whose name gave birth to “Bolivia,” and Venezuelan fre

Aug. 7, 2016

Students of Asia envisage integrated future at workshop

For Bruneian student Noorlela M.D. Yassin, her trip to Korea in early August was an intellectually rocking exercise. An undergraduate at the University of Brunei Darussalam majoring in marine biology, she had long coveted researching microplastic pollution in waters off the coast of her home. Her aspiration found a dose of inspiration when she participated in the 2016 ASEAN-Korea Youth Network Workshop in Korea last week, an annual program that gathered some 80 university students from 13 countr

Aug. 7, 2016

Swiss Ambassador retires before National Day

Swiss Ambassador Jorg Alois Reding finished his diplomatic career in late July after 35 years of Foreign Service at various departments and overseas missions of the Swiss Confederation. At the embassy reception Tuesday in Seoul, which marked the 725th anniversary of Switzerland’s nationhood on Aug. 1, the envoy reflected on his posting in Korea as well as deepening bilateral relations. “My family and I have spent unforgettable years in Seoul,” he said in a speech in Korean. “I had the opportunit

July 31, 2016

‘Turkey’s democracy forestalls anarchy’s tyranny’

On the night of July 15, Turkish Ambassador Arslan Hakan Okcal was dining at his friend’s house in Bodrum, Turkey, a popular vacation spot off the coast of the Aegean Sea. At around 10 p.m., his wife, seeing ominous developments on social media, alerted Okcal, “Something’s happening.” The couple quickly switched on the television and, to their shock, watched fighter jets skidding dangerously low over the city sky, tanks shelling state buildings and people protesting on the streets. “The media wa

July 31, 2016

‘Free trade still backbone of global prosperity’

Following Britain’s anticipated exit from the European Union, the U.K. economy will suffer from its self-inflicted withdrawal, while the impact on Europe will be minor, an influential economist has said.Klaus Regling, managing director of the European Stability Mechanism -- an intergovernmental organization based in Luxembourg City that provides financial assistance to eurozone member states in an emergency -- came to Korea to participate in the Global Financial Stability Conference 2016 in Seou

July 31, 2016

Top U.S., Chinese officials reaffirm goal of Korean Peninsula denuclearization: White House

U.S. National Security Adviser Susan Rice and Chinese State Councilor Yang Jiechi held talks in Beijing and agreed on the "shared goal of denuclearization of the Korean Peninsula," the White House said Monday.Rice's visit to China drew attention as it came amid heightened tensions between the two countries after an international tribunal rejected China's territorial claims to most of the South China Sea in a victory for the Philippines and other Southeast Asian nations locked in maritime dispute

July 26, 2016

Japan's top diplomat expresses pleasure at improved ties with Korea

Japanese Foreign Minister Fumio Kishida expressed pleasure at improved ties with South Korea since a landmark deal reached between Seoul and Tokyo late last year to resolve the sex slave issue.Kishida also said that communication has been smooth between the neighboring countries following North Korea's nuclear and missile tests earlier this year, saying that it indicates how much progress has been made.He made the remarks before starting bilateral talks with South Korean Foreign Minister Yun Byu

July 25, 2016

Colombia celebrates peace and prosperity at independence anniversary

In late June, moving on from five decades of fratricidal warfare, the Colombian government and armed guerilla group FARC agreed to a cease-fire as part of a peace process that had dragged on for nearly four years. In Havana, Cuba, under the watchful eyes of U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and five Latin American heads of state, Colombian President Juan Manuel Santos and FARC leader Rodrigo Londono inked the fourth point of the six-part pact, which would disarm and disband the crime syndicate

July 25, 2016

‘The longest night in Turkey: Aborted putsch against constitutional order’

By Turkish Ambassador to Korea Arslan Hakan Okcal What had unfolded on the night of July 15 in Turkey was a failed attempt by a small faction of our armed forces to subvert our democratically elected government and constitutional order. This revolt was unrelated to the vast majority of our military. The plotters were defeated by our brave compatriots, who took to the streets in droves to defend Turkey’s democracy. I am pleased to note that law and order have been swiftly restored and the culprit

July 25, 2016

Direct flight between Warsaw, Seoul to take off

Starting Oct. 18, LOT Polish Airlines will launch a direct flight between Warsaw and Seoul, making it the first ever nonstop connection between the two countries.Serving three trips weekly in each direction between the Warsaw Chopin Airport and Incheon International Airport, the maiden initiative is expected to boost the exposure of both countries, streamlining their surging trade and investment, tourism and education exchange. The airline -- which is a member of the Star Alliance group -- will

July 25, 2016