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,

Diplomatic Circuit April 23, 2018

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

Diplomatic Circuit April 16, 2018

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

Diplomatic Circuit April 16, 2018

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

Diplomatic Circuit April 16, 2018

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

Diplomatic Circuit April 16, 2018

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

Diplomatic Circuit April 9, 2018

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

Diplomatic Circuit April 9, 2018

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

Diplomatic Circuit April 9, 2018

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

Diplomatic Circuit April 9, 2018

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

Diplomatic Circuit April 2, 2018

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

Diplomatic Circuit April 2, 2018

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

Diplomatic Circuit April 2, 2018