The 2019 ASEAN-Korea Youth Academic Workshop involving 14 winners of an essay contest has entered its final phase, the intergovernmental organization said Monday.The 14 youths were selected for their top performance in the 2019 ASEAN-Korea Academic Essay Contest co-organized by the ASEAN-Korea Centre and ASEAN University Network between June and October last year.“Following the success of the 2019 ASEAN-ROK Commemorative Summit and the first Mekong-ROK Summit, ASEAN and Korea are now advan

Diplomatic Circuit Jan. 13, 2020

The British Embassy in Seoul took part in the 2020 Youth Ambassador Camp for middle and high school students in Korea on Friday to raise awareness about the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference in England. The event, organized by the Korean Culture Association, was held at the Olympic Parktel in southeastern Seoul with the aim of improving intercultural and global awareness. It was attended by some 100 students aspiring to pursue a career in diplomacy and international affairs.  Representi

Diplomatic Circuit Jan. 13, 2020

The Indian Chamber of Commerce in Korea has elected Sachin Satpute, president of Novelis Asia, to lead the business lobby as of Jan. 1 on the back of his near 30 years of experience, the ICCK said Monday.“While the Indian economy is also navigating through rough times, the government’s push for infrastructure development and the thrust for structural reform … will enable India to achieve sustained economic growth in the future,” Satpute said in a statement.“And I c

Diplomatic Circuit Jan. 13, 2020

Bangladesh’s Ambassador to South Korea Abida Islam, who is more than halfway into her term in Seoul, expressed hopes for President Moon Jae-in to visit the South Asian country in the near future.Prior to her 2017 appointment as the top diplomat to Seoul, Islam served multiple key posts at Bangladesh’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs in charge of international organizations, the Far East, Southeast Asia, Americas and the Pacific, counterterrorism and administration, alongside missions in

Diplomatic Circuit Jan. 13, 2020

Canadian Ambassador Michael Danagher first came to South Korea in 1992 and began nearly three decades, on and off, of interaction with “fun and loving” South Koreans. After two stints here in the 1990s and 2000s, he came back as ambassador in September 2018. “For me it (the ambassadorial appointment) meant coming back to a place I was familiar with. I hoped I would have the best insight and the best ability to impact on our bilateral relationship,” Danagher, who is fluent

Diplomatic Circuit Jan. 6, 2020

A new decade has dawned. Unprecedented challenges await Korea from an aging and shrinking population to accelerated warming of the peninsula. The Korea Herald has prepared a four-part series looking into some of the changes and challenges facing the nation in the 2020s. -- Ed.School classrooms and homes go empty in rural areas. Deaths greatly outnumber childbirths. The economy, once the region’s most dynamic, loses its vigor with fewer workers, fewer taxpayers and fewer consumers. This, ac

Social Affairs Dec. 31, 2019

Omani Ambassador Mohamed Al Harthy received an honorary Seoul citizenship in recognition of his efforts to foster relations between the two countries, the Oman Embassy said Monday.Al Harthy started his term here in 2010 and currently serves key roles as the dean of the diplomatic corps and the president of the Korea-Arab Society. “Ambassador Al Harthy is known to have strong interest in Korean culture. He has made efforts in public diplomacy through a series of cultural, artistic events an

Diplomatic Circuit Dec. 23, 2019

DHAKA, Bangladesh -- The hustle and bustle of Bangladesh, one of the fastest-growing economies worldwide, can be seen throughout the capital of Dhaka, where multiple infrastructure projects are underway, including highway construction projects.Having risen from one of the world’s least developed countries to a developing country in less than 50 years since its liberation from Pakistan, Bangladesh is well on its way to achieving its goal of becoming a middle-income country by 2021.“Th

Diplomatic Circuit Dec. 23, 2019

KHULNA, Bangladesh -- Bombarded with mobile messages, emails and social media posts, an adventure in Mother Nature is a popular choice for many travelers seeking to escape.The Sundarbans, the largest mangrove forest in the world, is a destination where people can disconnect from technology.The Korea Herald had a chance to visit the Sundarbans between Dec. 19 and 21 as part of the Visit Bangladesh Program.The unique paradise lies on the delta of the Ganges, Brahmaputra and Meghna rivers on the Ba

Diplomatic Circuit Dec. 23, 2019

Amid global awareness of the need to reduce reliance on fossil fuels, the Australian ambassador to Korea highlighted hydrogen as the next source of clean energy.“There is a global momentum to develop the hydrogen economy, and Korea has already positioned itself as a leader in hydrogen technology,” Australian Ambassador James Choi said.“Australia is looking to create international partnerships in this sector. We look forward to building on the strong existing cooperation between

Diplomatic Circuit Dec. 17, 2019

The United Kingdom, one of the countries leading the world in artificial intelligence, is seeking to step up cooperation with industry leader South Korea for advancements in AI, officials said.“Whatever the outcome of the (UK) election, we can be confident that there will continue to be a powerful story to tell about AI in the UK,” British Ambassador to Korea Simon Smith said in his opening remarks, delivered in Korean at AI UK Conference 2019 at Seoul’s Dongdaemun Design Plaza

Diplomatic Circuit Dec. 17, 2019

The Italian Trade Agency under the Italian Embassy in Korea has opened its first showroom in Seoul in a bid to promote Italian brands, the embassy said.High Street Italia, located in the trendy Garosugil neighborhood in southern Seoul, is a joint project between the Italian Embassy in Korea and the Italian National Tourist Board that aims to expose aspects of Italy to a wider Korean audience. “Incredible support and interest shown today is a very clear proof that Korean customers are open

Diplomatic Circuit Dec. 17, 2019

The first Hungarian cultural center in Korea opened last week, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Hungary. The opening ceremony of the Hungarian Cultural Institute on Dec. 12 was attended by the Hungarian Minister of Foreign Affairs and Trade Peter Szijjarto, Deputy Minister and Ambassador for Public Diplomacy of Foreign Affairs Chang Jae-bok and Hungarian Ambassador to Korea Mozes Csoma among others. “It is our mission to provide various q

Diplomatic Circuit Dec. 17, 2019

In the run up to Expo 2020 Dubai, Emirati Ambassador to South Korea Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi said the event would boost bilateral relations as next year marks the 40th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic ties between the two countries.“I’m quite confident that Republic of Korea’s remarkable participation in the EXPO 2020 Dubai will reinforce the ‘special strategic partnership’ and enhance the bilateral exchanges in all fields between the two countries,&rdqu

Diplomatic Circuit Dec. 17, 2019

After years of sweeping change in all corners of society, Egypt has embarked on a journey to rebuild the nation, opening doors to foreign entities to capitalize on state-of-the-art technology and reclaim its glory days as an economic hub.As part of efforts to do so, Egypt is wooing South Korean businesses and leading science and tech institutions, the top Egyptian diplomat said.“Quite frankly, my humble opinion is that we have such a huge amount of untapped potential in relationship betwee

Diplomatic Circuit Dec. 9, 2019