North Korean UNESCO official withdraws from Jeju Forum

North Korean UNESCO official Chang Gwang-chol has withdrawn from this week's Jeju Forum, organizers said Monday, canceling what would have been a rare appearance by a North Korean national at a South Korean government-hosted international event. The 21st Jeju Forum, jointly hosted by South Korea's Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Jeju Province, will take place from Wednesday to Friday under the theme "Reinventing Cooperation in a Fragmented World." The Jeju Peace Institute, organizer of the annua

2026-06-23 12:25:46:00

Zambian, Korean firms sign deal for 500MW solar plant

Zambia's state-owned power utility ZESCO and South Korea's KS Eco Solutions Holdings have signed a purchase agreement for a 500-megawatt solar plant and battery storage project, as Zambia seeks to diversify its energy mix after recent electricity shortages. Zambia plans to expand its power generation capacity to about 10,000 MW by 2030, up from the current 3,500-3,900 MW, to address a power deficit of more than 1,600 MW and support economic growth. Solar energy is viewed as a key renewable energ

2026-06-22 20:00:26:00

EU reaffirms opposition to death penalty

The European Union on Monday urged renewed global efforts to abolish the death penalty at a conference in Seoul, as South Korea continues to maintain a decadeslong moratorium on executions. South Korea has not carried out an execution since 1997 and is considered an "abolitionist in practice" by international human rights groups, although capital punishment remains legal. The Seoul conference was held ahead of the 9th World Congress Against the Death Penalty, one of the largest international gat

2026-06-22 19:59:00:00

Uzbekistan unveils six-point plan for foreign investment

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev unveiled a six-point investment agenda at Tashkent International Investment Forum that includes a financial center based on English and Welshcommon law, an international commercial court and incentives for artificial intelligence projects, as Uzbekistan seeks to attract more foreign capital. The three-day forum, regarded as Central Asia's largest investment gathering, was held from June 16, attracting more than 8,000 participants from 99

2026-06-22 10:26:28:00

[Uzbekistan Forum] Uzbek textile industry presents major opportunities for Korea

TASHKENT — Uzbekistan's textile and apparel industry has grown into a major pillar of the country’s economy, one that presents major opportunities for Korean manufacturers and retailers, Uzbek officials said at the Korea-Uzbekistan Business Forum on Tuesday. Ruhullo Zikrilayev, deputy director of the Agency for the Development of Light Industry of Uzbekistan, said the sector has become “one of the key pillars” of the national economy. More than 10,000 enterprises operate in Uzbekistan’s light in

2026-06-21 19:50:44:00

[Uzbekistan Forum] KoCham Uzbekistan to launch at Korea-Central Asia Summit

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — Plans to launch a Korea Chamber of Commerce branch in Uzbekistan were unveiled Tuesday at the Uzbekistan-Korea Business Forum in Tashkent. The body, set to open during the Korea-Central Asia Summit in September, will be the first Korean Chamber of Commerce in Uzbekistan. "Economic cooperation between Korea and Uzbekistan has expanded rapidly across many sectors," said Yoo Bo-young, an executive member for KoCham Uzbekistan and executive director of Dasan D&C. The associati

2026-06-21 19:45:51:00

[Uzbekistan Forum] Korea is a vital partner in modernizing Uzbek transport infrastructure: Deputy minister

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — Korea has become one of Uzbekistan's most important partners in modernizing transport infrastructure, Deputy Minister of Transport of Uzbekistan Ilhomjon Abdugafarov said at Tuesday’s Korea-Uzbekistan Business Forum held in Tashkent. "The Republic of Korea is one of Uzbekistan's most important and reliable partners in implementing modern infrastructure projects, introducing advanced technologies, and developing the aviation, railway transport and logistics sectors," Abduga

2026-06-21 19:32:04:00

[Uzbekistan Forum] Uzbekistan envisions a new future through ‘New Tashkent’ project

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — Uzbekistan’s “New Tashkent” project present opportunities for South Korean investors and companies through the transformation of the country’s capital, Uzbek officials highlight. Speaking at the Korea-Uzbekistan Business Forum in Tashkent on Tuesday, Sharaf Radjabov, deputy director of the New Tashkent City Development Project, introduced New Tashkent as “one of the most ambitious urban development projects in the history of Uzbekistan.” The project forms part of Uzbek Pre

2026-06-21 19:29:30:00

[Uzbekistan Forum] Uzbekistan eyes tech ecosystem on global standards

TASHKENT — Uzbekistan is building a tech ecosystem that will enable global corporations to expand operations, reduce costs and enter new markets, Uzbekistan IT Park Korea Office head Nodirbek Berdiqobilov said at Tuesday’s Korea-Uzbekistan Business Forum held in Tashkent. According to Berdiqobilov, Uzbekistan is building an ecosystem where global companies can expand operations, reduce costs and enter new markets. “Uzbekistan is no longer simply an emerging market,” Berdiqobilov said. “It is rap

2026-06-21 17:18:00:00

Advance Korean projects through reforms, new platforms: Uzbek deputy minister

TASHKENT, Uzbekistan — Uzbekistan's Deputy Minister of Investment, Industry and Trade on Tuesday urged South Korean companies to expand their presence in the Central Asian nation by taking advantage of economic reforms and new industrial and investment initiatives. Speaking at the Korea-Uzbekistan Business Forum, Ilzat Kasymov said the Uzbek government has eliminated more than 200 licensing and permit requirements, reduced taxes, liberalized the foreign exchange market, and simplified procedures

2026-06-21 16:38:09:00