Japanese lawmakers pay respects to Itaewon victims during Seoul visit

An 18-member delegation of Japanese lawmakers, affiliated with the Japan-Korea Parliamentarians' Union, paid their respects on Wednesday to victims of a deadly crowd crush in Seoul's Itaewon neighborhood. Led by Fukushiro Nukaga, a member of Japan's House of Representatives, the lawmakers visited a mourning altar at Seoul Plaza in front of City Hall after their arrival at Gimpo International Airport. They were accompanied by two South Korean lawmakers -- Rep. Chung Jin-suk, leader of the ru

Nov. 2, 2022

Neutrality of Belarus in Russia-Ukraine war not reasonable, says Polish ambassador

Belarus' claim of neutrality in the Russia-Ukraine war is false, said Polish Ambassador to Korea Piotr Ostaszewski in a recent interview with The Korea Herald at the Polish Embassy in Seoul. Belarus is not only sympathizing with Russia, but wholly and politically backing Russian aggression against Ukraine, Ostaszewski stressed. According to Ostaszewski, Belarus hosted thousands of Russian soldiers within its territory, granted logistical support and allowed Russia to use Belarusian soil to attac

Nov. 1, 2022

Switzerland Embassy showcases exhibition ‘Spaceless’

  The Embassy of Switzerland is hosting the photo exhibition "Spaceless," featuring Swiss and Korean artists’ works, at the Swiss Embassy compound in Jongno-gu, central Seoul. Running from Oct. 22-Nov. 6, it showcases 60 pieces of work from eight Korean and Swiss young contemporary photographers. The new images are created from online search words and photographs automatically taken by drone cameras and produced using 3D programs. "Spaceless" is one of the events h

Oct. 27, 2022

Uzbekistan urges joint support with Korea at 31st Independence Day

Uzbekistan urged keen interest and support for future prosperity at celebrations for the country's Independence Day at Lotte Hotel in Seoul Friday. Uzbekistan became part of the Soviet Union in 1924 and later declared its independence on Aug. 31, 1991. As the country regained its independence, its ancient history, rich cultural heritage, national religious values and identity were restored, Uzbekistan Ambassador to Korea Vitaly Fen told The Korea Herald in remarks ahead of the event. Fen was una

Oct. 25, 2022

Singapore, Philippines, Indonesia, Vietnam startups win AKC pitching contest

  Startups from Indonesia, Singapore, Vietnam and the Philippines were awarded as winners of a pitching contest organized by the ASEAN-Korea Centre (AKC) at the Shilla Hotel in Seoul on Thursday. The contest was held on the sidelines of ASEAN Week 2021 online to recognize startup potential, enable innovation, inspire competition and act as drivers of economic growth to create new markets. The contest offered a platform for ASEAN startups to share innovative ideas, meet potential business pa

Oct. 25, 2022

Kazakh Tourism hosts roadshow in Seoul

The Kazakhstan Embassy and Kazakh Tourism, a state-run company, co-hosted the Kazakh Tourism Roadshow ahead of the celebration of 30 years of Kazakhstan-South Korea diplomatic relations at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul on Friday. Kazakhstan Ambassador Bakyt Dyussenbayev welcomed participants of the roadshow. He recommended visiting Kazakhstan and exploring the diverse aspects of his country. Kazakh Tourism introduced major tourism resources to Korean travel industry stakeholders, showing beautiful gr

Oct. 18, 2022

Hungarian Embassy showcases postwar artwork

The Hungarian Embassy presented an exhibition of abstract art in Seoul on Friday. Titled "Folded -- Unfolded," the exhibition was co-hosted by the Hungarian Embassy, the Hungarian Cultural Center, and the MNB Arts & Culture. The exhibition presented 15 influential Hungarian artists’ abstract paintings and films from behind the iron curtain t hat were made from the 1960s to the 1980s. The exhibition, which concluded Saturday, drew upon works from the collection of Magyar Nemze

Oct. 18, 2022

Eradication of forced labor -- striking example of political will

  In recent years, thanks to the strong political will of Uzbekistan President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, a completely new system of ensuring human rights and freedoms has been created in our country on the basis of large-scale reforms carried out to glorify human dignity and comprehensively protect their interests. At the same time, the work on improving national legislation, bringing it into line with international standards, reforming agriculture and other sectors, the widespread application of

Oct. 11, 2022

El Salvador seeks win-win ties with Korea: foreign minister

El Salvador hopes to consolidate ties with the Korean government under President Yoon Suk-yeol and redirect the relationship toward a win-win interaction, said El Salvador Foreign Minister Alexandra Hill Tinoco during an interview with The Korea Herald on Thursday. The two countries could cooperate in technological innovation, energy, urban development, health and environmental sustainability, said Hill Tinoco, who was on a ministerial tour across Asia to consolidate relations with strategic par

Oct. 11, 2022

Indonesia highlights dynamics of bilateral ties with Korea on 77th independence day

Indonesia embassy highlighted dynamics of bilateral ties with Korea celebrating its 77th independence day in Seoul on Sept. 28. Commemorating the independence day under the theme of ‘Recover Faster, Rise Stronger,’ the embassy invited Korean government officials, parliament members, diplomatic corps, businessmen, academics, and friends of Indonesia numbering more than 300 guests at the Floating Island Convention Center in Seoul. Dressed in traditional Javanese Jawi Jangkep, Indonesia

Oct. 4, 2022

Seoul Africa Festival 2022

The Seoul Africa Festival 2022 was held at Seoul Forest Park in Seongdong-gu, Seoul, on Saturday, October 1. Hosted by Africa Insight -- a non-profit organization registered under the Ministry of Foreign Affairs -- the festival presented diverse aspects of African cultures through music, dance, books, food, beverages, and human interactions. The festival was attended by domestic and overseas African organizations, embassies of African countries in Korea, Koreans, and foreign residents in Seoul.

Oct. 4, 2022

Peruvian embassy holds seminar on investment projects

The Peruvian embassy on Friday held a seminar, highlighting new investment opportunities in the South American country. Participants in the seminar were updated about the legal framework, economic environment and specific projects for South Korean companies. Hoping to boost Peru-Korea economic ties further, Peruvian ambassador to Korea Daul Matute Mejia urged Korean companies to magnify investments ahead of next year's 60th anniversary of Korea-Peru diplomatic relations. Peru and Korea establis

Oct. 4, 2022

Basel and Seoul agree to cooperate on innovation

Basel, Switzerland's third-most populous city, and Seoul agreed to cooperate on innovation, signing a memorandum of understanding on the new city cooperation on Sept. 29. The memorandum was signed by the president of the government of the canton of Basel-Stadt, Beat Jans, and Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon. The agreement is based on commonalities and shared interests, focuses on innovation in economic and scientific fields, social and urban development to extend support to participating actors, and acce

Oct. 4, 2022

India celebrates Sarang festival in Korea

India is celebrating the eighth edition of the Sarang festival from Sept. 30 - Oct. 14. The festival showcases India’s legacy of civilization and vibrancy in Seoul; Busan; Incheon; Gimhae, South Gyeongsang Province; Cheongju, North Chungcheong Province; Yeongdong-gun, North Chungcheong Province; Chuncheon, Gangwon Province, holding performances such as classical dance, musical renditions, fusion music, and a photo exhibition on the Indian chapter in Korean War, the Indian Embassy in Seoul

Oct. 4, 2022

We need a rescue mission to save planet Earth

  This year’s top crisis started when Russia invaded Ukraine. The consequences have been life-threatening for millions including refugees fleeing across Europe. The sanctions against Russian fossil fuel exports, have caused an energy crisis that has Europeans worried about staying warm coming winter. The blocking of Ukrainian grain exports is expected to exacerbate droughts and cause famines across the Sahel. At the same time, the climate and sustainability crisis continue to steadily

Sept. 27, 2022

Tamil Nadu encourages Korean companies to invest in green energy, EVs, R&D, footwear

The Indian state of Tamil Nadu invited Korean companies to invest in four sectors at the “Invest in Tamil Nadu" road show in Seoul on Monday. The road show was part of the Tamil Nadu government’s delegation to South Korea, headed by the state’s minister of industry, investment promotion and commerce, Thangam Thennarasu, to explain the advancements of the state and its investment environment. Delivering his address at the seminar, Thennarasu emphasized electric vehicles, ca

Sept. 27, 2022

Arab cultural festival showcases Qatar World Cup Pavilion

Arab cultures are being showcased ahead of the upcoming Qatar World Cup through Sept. 16 -24 in the lobby of Coex in southern Seoul. The pavilion is part of an exhibition held ahead of the World Cup which kicks off on Nov. 20 in Doha, Qatar’s capital city, and offers visitors a chance to experience Arab culture through activities like trying on Arab costumes, tasting Arabic desserts, getting Arabic pattern tattoos, and taking photos in a majlis, or sitting room in Arabic. Co-hosted by the

Sept. 21, 2022

[From the Scene] 7th congress of World and traditional religions’ leaders uphold to promote dialogue, peace

By Sanjay Kumar Korea Herald correspondent NURSULTAN, Kazakhstan – Over 100 delegations from 50 countries, including representatives of Islam, Christianity, Judaism, Shintoism, Buddhism, Zoroastrianism, Hinduism, and other religions discussed spiritual and social development of human civilization in a post-COVID world at the Seventh Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions in Nur-Sultan, the capital of Kazakhstan, through Sept. 14-15. Discussions focused on religious educatio

Sept. 20, 2022

[From the Scene]Partnership with Korea in e-governance, digital ecosystem vital to Kazakhstan: minister

By SanjayKumar Korea Herald correspondent NUR-SULTAN, Kazakhstan -- A partnership with South Korea in e-governance and the digital ecosystem is vital to Kazakhstan, the country's Minister of Digital Development Bagdat Musin said Thursday. “I visited South Korea in 2006 and I saw first e-services there and I realized the need to bring such a system to Kazakhstan,” Musin told foreign journalists at the Digital Government Office in Nur-sultan, Kazakhstan. “Now, we are collaboratin

Sept. 20, 2022

[Herald Interview]Korea’s hard, soft power offers robust room for cooperation: Malaysian ambassador

Korea is a role model for Malaysia in its development of soft and hard power, and the two countries’ relationship has great room for cooperation, said Malaysian Ambassador Lim Juay Jin during a recent interview with The Korea Herald. Citing Keluarga Malaysia, an aspiration of the Malaysian government to forge unity and brotherhood to achieve development, and Korea’s national unity concept, Lim hoped to bring together the aspirations of Malaysia and Korea. “Malaysia aspires to b

Sept. 13, 2022