Why ‘New Uzbekistan’ is looking to its Islamic past

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — Beneath a vast blue dome in the Uzbek capital, centuries of Islamic intellectual history are being recast as part of a modern national story at the Center of Islamic Civilization. At the new Center of Islamic Civilization, ancient manuscripts and the Uthman Quran sit alongside multimedia displays tracing Central Asia’s contributions to science, medicine and scholarship. But why is constitutionally secular Uzbekistan placing Islamic civilization at the heart of the “New Uzb

2026-08-26 12:46:06:00

Thailand introduces privilege card to Koreans

The Royal Thai Embassy in Seoul presented the Thailand Privilege Card program to a Korean audience Wednesday, highlighting long-term residency, travel and lifestyle benefits. Thailand Privilege Card, a state-owned enterprise under the Tourism Authority of Thailand, offers memberships that include long-term visas ranging from five to 20 years, airport VIP services, government concierge support and lifestyle benefits. “Korea is one of our top 10 member nationalities in the world,” Thailand Privile

2026-08-20 18:33:03:00

‘We shall overcome someday’

For Ukrainian pianist, musicologist and cultural historian Taras Filenko, music carries a message of resistance, identity and, ultimately, hope. Speaking with The Korea Herald in Seoul after a concert commemorating the 35th anniversary of Ukrainian independence, Filenko expressed hope that Ukraine would regain its sovereignty and that cultural understanding could help build a more peaceful world. “We shall overcome one day,” Filenko said, invoking the gospel song that became associated with the

2026-08-20 14:11:54:00

Korea, Uzbekistan push business ahead of summit

South Korea and Uzbekistan can seek stronger cooperation in a range of fields, including critical minerals, artificial intelligence, business and government, the leaders of the two nations said at the Korea-Uzbekistan Business Roundtable in Seoul on Tuesday. The event, attended by top officials, including Uzbek Deputy Prime Minister Jamshid Khodjayev and South Korea's Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo and Deputy Minister for International Economic Affairs Moon Ji-sung, also pointed to advanced manufac

2026-08-12 10:56:51:00

6 S. Koreans booked over Ukraine trip for NK POWs

Six South Koreans who traveled to Ukraine to advocate for two North Korean prisoners of war seeking resettlement in the South have been booked by police for allegedly violating Seoul's travel ban. The delegation, which included North Korean defectors and human rights activists, visited Ukraine from May 7-11 without government authorization to discuss the fate of the two soldiers, who were captured while fighting alongside Russian forces in January 2025. The group met Ukrainian officials, civic g

2026-08-07 13:25:12:00

‘Made in Singapore’ spotlighted at National Day event in Seoul

Singapore marked its 61st National Day in Seoul on Thursday by showcasing its "Made in Singapore" vision while highlighting stronger business, innovation and strategic ties with South Korea. The event, organized by the Singapore Chamber of Commerce in Korea (SingCham Korea), brought together government officials, business leaders and members of the Singaporean community to commemorate Singapore's independence. Singapore, a former British colony, became independent on Aug. 9, 1965, after separati

2026-08-07 11:13:15:00

El Salvador eyes AI, digital identity cooperation with S. Korea

Seoul and San Salvador should move from diplomatic goodwill to practical cooperation in a wide range of fields, including AI governance and cybersecurity, said El Salvador's newly appointed ambassador to Korea, Federico Miguel Guerrero Avendano. "President Lee Jae Myung's vision of pragmatism and an AI-driven economy is not an abstraction to us. It is an open door, and we intend to walk through it," Avendano said in an interview with The Korea Herald. "The natural next steps are digital identit

2026-08-06 12:29:34:00

Kenyan minister sees Korea as blueprint to blend heritage and innovation

South Korea's ability to transform centuries-old heritage into a driver of diplomacy, tourism and economic growth has lessons for countries looking to develop their own creative sectors, according to Kenya's Cabinet Secretary for Gender, Culture and Children Services Hanna Wendot Cheptumo. "What impressed me most was the care with which Korea preserves and presents its heritage while seamlessly integrating it into modern life," Cheptumo said in an interview with The Korea Herald. Cheptumo was in

2026-08-03 14:00:18:00

Korea, Morocco highlight growing partnership on Throne Day

South Korea and Morocco underscored their commitment to deeper economic and strategic cooperation Thursday, with trade negotiations, railway infrastructure and investment emerging as key pillars of their growing partnership. Officials from both countries outlined the expanding agenda at a reception in Seoul marking Throne Day, the 27th anniversary of King Mohammed VI’s accession to the throne. More than 350 people attended the reception, including diplomats, government officials, business leader

2026-07-31 13:56:18:00

'Culture is one of the most powerful ways of bringing people together'

The sound of traditional drums and the rhythm of the Intore warrior dance filled a hotel in Seoul on Wednesday as Rwanda held its first Cultural Heritage Day in Korea, celebrating cultural exchange and people-to-people diplomacy. The program featured Rwanda's iconic ingoma drums, the intore warrior dance and traditional instruments such as the inanga string instrument, ikondera horn and umwirongi shepherd's flute, alongside cultural symbols reflecting the country's pastoral heritage. Greeting th

2026-07-30 14:16:37:00