Marking independence, Poland highlights ties with Gyeonggi Province

Poland highlighted growing ties with Gyeonggi Province in Korea, marking the 105th anniversary of Polish independence on Monday. Poland reappeared on the world map after a 123-year absence and reestablished its independence on Nov. 18, 1918. The country celebrates Independence Day to commemorate the restoration of Poland's sovereignty in 1918. “Losing the statehood does not mean losing the identity — and this is the solid foundation of the power and will for life,” said Po

Nov. 7, 2023

[Herald Interview] Korea-Georgia FTA, way forward to win-win diplomacy: deputy minister

A Korea-Georgia free trade agreement would bring substantial benefits for Korea and Georgia, Genadi Arveladze, the Caucasus nation's deputy minister of economy and sustainable development, told The Korea Herald on Friday, as Georgia and Korea embarked on negotiations for a comprehensive free trade agreement. “The agreement would not only help expand trade and investment but also provide a comprehensive institutional framework for a wide range of bilateral cooperation,” Arveladze

Nov. 7, 2023

Central Asia, S. Korea pledge to strengthen youth cooperation

Foreign ministers from South Korea, Kazakhstan, the Kyrgyz Republic, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan reaffirmed their commitment to enhancing youth cooperation during the 16th Korea-Central Asia Cooperation Forum in Ashgabat, Turkmenistan, the host nation's embassy said Friday. According to the embassy, the meeting underscored a sustainable future for both Central Asia and South Korea, recognizing the potential of youth in both regions and the need to formulate policies and strategi

Nov. 6, 2023

Kazakhstan marks Republic Day, touts growing ties with Korea

The Kazakhstan Embassy in Seoul stressed the importance of promoting both high-level and people-to-people ties with Korea, marking the 32nd anniversary of Kazakhstan's declaration of sovereignty on October 25. Kazakhstan gained independence from the Soviet Union on December 16, 1991. Delivering remarks at the event, Kazakhstan Ambassador to Korea Nurgali Arystanov lauded South Korea's pivotal role as a friendly strategic partner to his country, contributing to a dynamic economy, vibran

Nov. 2, 2023

Turkey looks to build closer ties with Korea as it celebrates its centenary

Commemorating the Republic of Turkey's 100th anniversary Monday, Turkey's ambassador said the nation is looking to foster closer ties with South Korea. "Our horizons and dreams are very big, but what Turkey and Korea have done and can do together encourages us and motivates us to work harder," said Turkish Ambassador to Korea Murat Tamer at a reception held in Seoul, citing South Korea as one of the world's most modern, democratic and liberal nations, with one of the t

Oct. 31, 2023

US, Chinese diplomats hold video talks on N. Korea-Russia military cooperation, defector repatriation

The US special representative for North Korea held video talks with his Chinese counterpart Monday to discuss military cooperation between the North and Russia, China's reported repatriation of North Korean escapees and other issues, the State Department said. The talks between Ambassador Sung Kim and Liu Xiaoming, China's special representative on Korean Peninsula affairs, came as Washington has encouraged Beijing to play a constructive role in addressing North Korea-related issues. A

Oct. 30, 2023

S. Korea sends condolences to China over death of ex-Premier Li Keqiang

The foreign ministry said Monday it has sent a message of condolence to China on the death of its former Premier Li Keqiang. The message was "delivered to Chinese Premier Li Qiang in a telegram under the name of Prime Minister Han Duck-soo," a ministry official said, without providing further details. Upon the announcement of Li's death last week, the ministry expressed condolences, highlighting the role he had played in advancing the bilateral relations between Seoul and Beijing.

Oct. 30, 2023

Indonesian Ambassador receives honorary citizenship

Indonesian Ambassador to South Korea Gandi Sulistiyanto received a certificate of honorary citizenship of Seoul on Thursday, in recognition of his contributions to strengthening ties between Seoul and Indonesia before his resignation. Seoul Mayor Oh Se-hoon presented Sulistiyanto with the certificate at an award ceremony at Seoul City Hall. “I am happy to present this certificate as a token of appreciation to Ambassador Gandi Sulistiyanto and for his efforts to develop bilateral relations

Oct. 26, 2023

[Photo News] Moroccan team in Seoul

Moroccan Ambassador to Korea Chafik Rachadi exchanges greetings with the Moroccan national U-18 football team before a match against South Korea at Mokdong Stadium in Yangcheon-gu, Seoul on Thursday. The Moroccan team was in Seoul to take part in the 2023 U-18 Seoul EOU Cup, an international football championship in Korea. The match ended in a 1-1 draw. Rachadi highlighted Morocco's success in sports, and mentioned Morocco's hosting of the 2030 World Cup, alongside Spain and Portugal,

Oct. 18, 2023

[Herald Interview] Chile, Korea need to boost global lithium value chain: minister

Bilateral cooperation between Chile and South Korea is crucial, as they have a shared goal of boosting the global lithium value chain, Nicolas Grau, Chilean minister of economy, development and tourism, told The Korea Herald on Thursday. “Korea needs lithium, hydrogen and clean energy fuel, and Chile needs certainty of demand, knowledge and technology to develop new industry,” said Grau, noting the situation as a “win-win” for Chile and Korea. Grau was in Seoul from Oct.

Oct. 18, 2023

S. Korean diplomat discusses NK human rights with US envoy

A senior South Korean diplomat has held talks with the new US special envoy for North Korean human rights and agreed to cooperate in launching a consultative body to better address the rights situation in the North, Seoul's foreign ministry said Tuesday. Chun Young-hee, director general for the Korean Peninsula peace regime, and Ambassador Julie Turner met Monday and discussed efforts to coordinate over North Korean human rights issues, it said. Turner, who is currently visiting Seoul on a

Oct. 17, 2023

[Herald Interview] Indonesia's Aladin Bank CEO eyes digital banking partnerships with Korea

Dyota M. Marsudi, CEO of Bank Aladin Syariah, said he hopes to foster collaborations with Korean companies in the fast-growing digital banking sector. Bank Aladin Syariah is a digital banking institution under the supervision of the Financial Services Authority in Indonesia and a member of the Indonesian Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS). Marsudi envisions digital banking as a strategic approach with a core commitment to Sharia banking principles, focusing on serving customers and enriching so

Oct. 13, 2023

'Basel Night' at Swiss Embassy in Seoul heralds Basel's cultural legacy

The city of Basel in Switzerland is famously known to many people in Seoul for the world’s leading art fair, Art Basel. The city’s top figures in art and architecture gathered at the Swiss Embassy in Seoul on Thursday for "Basel Night," an event aimed at promoting the city's cultural scene in Seoul. The event was attended by Swiss Ambassador to Korea Dagmar Schmidt Tartagli; Christoph Bosshardt, marketing director of Basel Tourism; Angelle Siyang-Le, director of Ar

Oct. 13, 2023

[Herald Interview] Estonian leader highlights shared values, historical struggles as basis for stronger ties

Estonia and South Korea have more in common than one might realize. From historic struggles to defend their freedom to the goal of building a digitally advanced democracy, their similarities and shared values work to unite the two nations on both security and the economy, Estonian President Alar Karis, told The Korea Herald in an interview in Seoul. “More than ever, the security in the Euro-Atlantic area and the security in the Pacific region around Korea are interconnected. We understan

Oct. 12, 2023

[Photo News] Day of German Unity

(From left) Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) Chairwoman Julia Braune, German Ambassador-designate to South Korea Georg Schmidt, South Korean Land Minister Won Hee-ryong, Baden-Württemberg (a German state) Minister for Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection Peter Hauk pose for a photo celebrating the Day of German Unity at Grand Hyatt Seoul in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on Wednesday. (German Embassy in Seoul)

Oct. 10, 2023

[Photo News] Housing solutions in Asia-Pacific

Luis Noda, Asia-Pacific vice president of Habitat for Humanity International, speaks at a press conference at the Korea Press Center in Seoul on Friday. Noda urged stakeholders to take sustainable approaches to adequate housing in informal settlements. The conference was held ahead of the ninth Asia-Pacific Housing Forum 2023, to be held in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, from Oct. 26 to 27.

Oct. 10, 2023

Indian Embassy holds Sarang festival to promote cultural exchange

The Indian Embassy in Seoul is celebrating the ninth edition of the Sarang festival, a cultural event aimed at fostering people-to-people connections through cultural exchanges between India and Korea. The word "sarang" holds significant meaning for both Koreans and Indians. In Korean, "sarang" means "love," while for Indians, it represents diversity and symbolizes the vibrant colors of India. This year's Sarang festival, which kicked off Friday, has been exp

Oct. 10, 2023

UAM, robotics crucial for Denmark, Korea: Odense mayor

The head of Denmark's city of Odense urged stronger cooperation with Korea in urban air mobility, artificial intelligence and robotics in an interview with The Korea Herald last week. Mayor Peter Rahbaek Juel was in Korea to attend the 12th biennial World Cities Summit Mayors Forum in Seoul and to step up cooperation in the new transportation method. Odense, Denmark's third-largest city, is making efforts to create an operational environment for urban air mobility and infrastructure li

Oct. 10, 2023

Governor promotes Jeju's sustainable future at GBF

Oh Young-hun, the governor of Jeju special self-governing province, highlighted the island's business environment and the municipality's support measures to pursue sustainable future at a forum in Seoul on Wednesday. Speaking at the fourth edition of The Korea Herald's Global Biz Forum, Oh said Jeju had launched green hydrogen production in the island's northeastern region with an aim to usher in a zero-carbon era. "The island already operates buses powered by green hydr

Oct. 5, 2023

British MP hopes for enhanced UK-Korea ties under Pacific trade pact

Adam Afriyie, a UK member of Parliament, hopes to see UK-Korean trade and economic ties advance to the next level, the lawmaker said in an interview with The Korea Herald on Friday. Afriyie touched on Korea's potential inclusion in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), highlighting the prospect of increased economic cooperation between the two nations. The CPTPP is a major free trade pact comprising 11 Asia-Pacific countries. South Korea became a

Sept. 27, 2023