‘Feel Thailand’s creative heartbeat’ in Korea: envoy

From sizzling street food and Thai tea to T-Pop, K-Pop and traditional massage, Thailand will bring the Sawasdee Thai Festival back to Seoul's Cheonggyecheon this weekend. Thai Ambassador Tanee Sangrat said the festival would give visitors the chance to experience Thailand without boarding a plane, and feel its "creative life and heartbeat." Marking its 11th anniversary this year, the festival runs Saturday and Sunday and is open to the public free of charge. Sangrat told The Korea Herald that t

2026-06-16 12:32:22:00

Cuba pitches business to Korean firms

Cuba remains a country of opportunities for Korean investment and trade, the country's top envoy stressed saying that decades of US sanctions have not erased the island nation’s economic potential. Speaking at the Cuba Business Forum, Cuban Ambassador to South Korea Claudio Monzon acknowledged the economic challenges facing the country but said Cuba remains open for business. “Cuba is facing increasing economic and political pressure, but that does not mean Cuba lacks opportunities,” Monzon said

2026-06-11 17:41:54:00

S. Korea, Kyrgyzstan step toward closer climate cooperation

Kyrgyzstan and South Korea agreed to accelerate joint carbon reduction projects and expand climate cooperation during talks held on the sidelines of UN climate meetings in Bonn, Germany, South Korea's Foreign Ministry said Thursday. The agreement was reached on Wednesday at the inaugural Korea-Kyrgyzstan Joint Committee on Climate Change Cooperation meeting, held alongside the 64th session of the Subsidiary Bodies of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change. The two countries ad

2026-06-11 13:36:23:00

Berlin-Seoul techno takes center stage in Itaewon

The German Embassy in Seoul highlighted techno culture as a bridge for cultural exchange and creative collaboration between Berlin and Seoul on Tuesday. The event, held at a club in Itaewon as part of the embassy’s “Techno Diplomacy” initiative, drew more than 150 club operators, DJs, artists and cultural practitioners. Discussions focused on how techno clubs can serve as creative and community spaces beyond nightlife, featuring speakers Lutz Henke, Norbert Bisky, Joon Kwak and Bada. “Berlin tec

2026-06-10 12:12:08:00

Botswana gateway for critical minerals and K-construction: minister

Botswana represents opportunities for Korean mining, battery and construction firms, with access to critical minerals and fast-growing African markets, Botswana’s Foreign Minister Phenyo Butale said in an interview with The Korea Herald. Botswana's pitch comes as Korean companies search for new sources of critical minerals needed for industries such as batteries, semiconductors and renewable energy. According to Butale, Botswana's mineral reserves could support those very industries. The country

2026-06-04 11:20:15:00

‘Koreans are the Italians of Asia’: Italian ambassador

South Korea and Italy are "similar and complementary" countries, Italian Ambassador to Korea Emilia Gatto said as the two nations celebrated Italy's Republic Day in Seoul on Tuesday. "Korea truly loves 'Made in Italy,' and Italy truly loves K-culture," Gatto said, highlighting the strong cultural affinity between the two countries. At the event, marking the 80th anniversary of the Italian Republic, Gatto noted that bilateral ties continue to deepen, adding that President Lee Jae Myung is expecte

2026-06-03 11:14:32:00

Africa needs tech transfer, not just aid, Egyptian FM says

African countries need technology transfer, investment and industrial cooperation from South Korea rather than aid-based ties, Egyptian Foreign Minister Badr Abdelatty said Tuesday, calling for “a real partnership based on mutual respect and win-win cooperation” and concrete outcomes for the 2029 Korea-Africa Summit. Technology transfer was a central theme of the discussions, with Abdelatty arguing that Africa's economic transformation and job creation efforts depend on industrial know-how and l

2026-06-03 10:46:11:00

Zambia looking for concrete gains from Korea-Africa talks: deputy secretary

Zambia is urging South Korea to move beyond pledges and deliver financing commitments, industrial investment and technology partnerships as Seoul expands its engagement with African countries, says Siazongo Siakalenge, Zambia’s deputy secretary to the cabinet for finance and economic development. In an interview with The Korea Herald, Siakalenge said that Lusaka hopes the meeting will deliver practical partnerships in infrastructure, digital transformation, green growth and industrial developmen

2026-06-02 13:02:06:00

Russia, China mark 30 years of partnership

Russia and China on Friday underscored their strategic partnership and commitment to what they described as “win-win cooperation” rather than a “zero-sum game,” at a joint reception in Seoul. The Chinese and Russian embassies in South Korea held the event to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the China-Russia Strategic Partnership of Coordination and the 25th anniversary of the Treaty of Good-Neighborliness and Friendly Cooperation. The event highlighted the development of bilateral ties since

2026-05-31 15:16:45:00

Georgia marks Independence Day in Seoul

Georgia celebrated its Independence Day in Seoul this week, highlighting deepening relations with South Korea and growing cooperation in trade, investment, infrastructure and cultural exchange. Speaking at a commemorative reception, Mikheil Tigishvili, charge d’affaires at the Georgian Embassy in Seoul, said the two countries share common historical experiences and democratic values. “Both nations have preserved their identity, culture and independence in challenging geopolitical environments,”

2026-05-29 15:15:06:00