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Diplomatic Circuit In series
Interviews and stories about the diplomatic corps in Seoul.
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Diplomatic Circuit In series
Interviews and stories about the diplomatic corps in Seoul.
Would you like to subscribe?
Foreign envoys applaud Africa Day 2026 in Seoul
Diplomats from more than 50 nations gathered Wednesday to celebrate Africa Day 2026, experiencing growing cultural ties between Africa, Korea, and the broader international community. Africa Day commemorates the founding of the Organization of African Unity — now the African Union — in 1963, marking liberation, unity and cultural heritage on the continent. This year’s event, jointly hosted by the African Group of Ambassadors, the Korea-Africa Foundation, and Herald Media Group, featured cultural
May 25, 2026 - 14:10:32
Peace and development central to Korea-Africa future: African envoys’ dean
Peace, development and shared responsibility are the three keys to understanding the continent of Africa, Moroccan Ambassador to Korea Chafik Rachadi said at the Africa Day 2026 event in Seoul on Wednesday. In his speech, Rachadi, who also serves as dean of the Diplomatic Corps and the African Group of Ambassadors, said that Africa should no longer be seen merely through the lens of culture or aid, but as an emerging global partner driving innovation, growth and transformation. “The first key, p
May 25, 2026 - 12:37:24
Lee vows to build gov't that 'saves people's lives' on Buddha's Birthday
President Lee Jae Myung vowed Sunday to build a government that "saves people's lives" and to uphold the teaching that all people are equally worthy, as he attended a ceremony marking Buddha's Birthday. Lee made the remarks during a ceremony hosted by the Jogye Order of Korean Buddhism, as he has increasingly prioritized policies aimed at protecting public safety and addressing issues that directly affect people's daily lives, such as stalking crimes and other safety-related incidents. "We will
May 24, 2026 - 19:05:37
Lee offers condolences over deadly China coal mine explosion
South Korean President Lee Jae Myung on Sunday expressed condolences over the deadly gas explosion at a coal mine in China’s Shanxi Province that caused heavy casualties. In a message posted on X, Lee said he felt “profound regret and sorrow” upon hearing news of the accident and extended sympathy to the victims and their families. “I pray for the eternal peace of those who lost their lives in this sudden tragedy, and extend my deepest condolences and comfort to the bereaved families and the Chi
May 24, 2026 - 18:57:35
India, South Korea unveil Korean War memorial near DMZ
PAJU, Gyeonggi Province — India and South Korea on Thursday unveiled a memorial honoring Indian troops who served in the Korean War, in a ceremony near the Demilitarized Zone that highlighted the countries’ shared wartime history and growing strategic ties. The memorial, located at Imjingak Peace Park in Paju near the border with North Korea, commemorates the Indian Army’s 60 Parachute Field Ambulance and the Custodian Force of India, which took part in frontline medical operations and prisoner-
May 24, 2026 - 18:56:46
New Zealand showcases wines in Seoul
The New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea on Saturday showcased premium New Zealand wines at its annual wine festival in Seoul, highlighting the country’s growing presence in South Korea’s premium wine market. Held under the theme “Where Wine Meets Art,” the event presented wine as “liquid art” shaped by terroir and time, while introducing Korean consumers to New Zealand’s wine culture, cuisine and lifestyle. “New Zealand wine is going from strength to strength in Korea’s premium wine market,
May 24, 2026 - 18:52:24
S. Korean submarine arrives in Canada amid Seoul's bid for US$39.6 bln Canadian submarine deal
A South Korean Navy submarine has arrived at a port in Canada for joint drills with the Royal Canadian Navy amid Seoul's push to win a Canadian submarine deal estimated at around 60 trillion won (US$39.6 billion). The 3,000-ton ROKS Dosan Ahn Chang-ho entered a port at the Canadian naval base in Esquimalt, Victoria, on the country's southwest coast on Saturday (local time) after traveling some 14,000 kilometers via Guam and Hawaii on the first trans-Pacific voyage ever undertaken by a South Kore
May 24, 2026 - 17:45:38
[Bridge to Africa] Kenya launches Africa’s first university modelled on KAIST
Kenya has officially launched the Kenya Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (Kenya AIST), a postgraduate research university modeled on the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) in Daejeon, marking a major step in Africa’s science and technology ambitions. In a statement shared with The Korea Herald, the Kenyan Embassy in Seoul cited the institution as Africa’s first university to be modelled on KAIST and a symbol of the continent’s shift toward homegrown innovation
May 20, 2026 - 14:53:04![[Bridge to Africa] Kenya launches Africa’s first university modelled on KAIST](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/05/20/news-p.v1.20260520.fae9f43c84dd49d2aa5fba6ea262abc5_T1.jpeg?type=h&h=320)
Embassy marks first-ever India Day in Seoul
The Indian Embassy in Seoul hosted its first India Day festival on Saturday, drawing thousands as New Delhi and Seoul seek to deepen cultural and people-to-people ties alongside the two nations' special strategic partnership. Held at Yeouido Hangang Park under the theme “Unity in Diversity,” the event featured Indian classical dance, fusion Indian-Korean and Bollywood performances, regional cuisine, and cultural exhibitions showcasing India’s 28 states and eight union territories. The celebratio
May 19, 2026 - 13:19:24
Russian Embassy hosts special viewing for Hermitage artworks in Seoul
The Russian Embassy in Seoul held a special viewing for its immersive digital exhibition of the Hermitage Museum at the Oil Tank Culture Park, showcasing more than 80 digital works and recreations of the Winter Palace through July 30. The Hermitage Museum, founded by Empress Catherine the Great in the 18th century, is one of the world’s largest and most prestigious art museums, housing millions of artifacts in St. Petersburg’s Winter Palace. Held at the transformed Oil Tank Culture Park, the vie
May 19, 2026 - 11:51:16
K-culture to meet 'A-culture' on Africa Day 2026
Africa Day 2026 in Seoul will celebrate African unity and friendship with Korea through cultural exchange, and boost Africa, South Korea and the broader Global South, according to Ambassador of Rwanda to Korea Bakuramutsa Nkubito. The day commemorates the founding of the Organization of African Unity — now the African Union — in 1963, celebrating Africa’s liberation, unity and cultural heritage. This year’s Africa Day celebration in Seoul, jointly hosted by the African Group of Ambassadors, the
May 18, 2026 - 17:08:33
Philippines highlights biodiversity in Seoul
The Philippine Embassy in Seoul and the East Asian-Australasian Flyway Partnership on Thursday underscored the importance of biodiversity conservation while marking World Migratory Bird Day. Speaking at the event, Philippine Ambassador to South Korea Bernadette Therese C. Fernandez described the Philippines as a key refuge along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway for migratory birds traveling across continents. “Nature knows no borders,” Fernandez said, stressing that protecting wetlands and coa
May 15, 2026 - 13:18:21
Poland, South Korea tout growing strategic ties
Poland and South Korea underscored bilateral cooperation on Tuesday, marking Polish Constitution Day in Seoul. Poland adopted its first constitution on May 3, 1791 — the first modern constitution in Europe and the second in the world after the United States Constitution, ratified in 1787. The two sides reiterated closer ties in defense, technology, trade and global security. "We have decided to work more closely on polar affairs and wish to strengthen cooperation on space and ballistics," said P
May 13, 2026 - 15:08:11
Belgium seeks deeper defense, aerospace ties with S. Korea
Belgium is seeking to deepen defense and aerospace cooperation with South Korea as Korean defense exports rapidly expand across Europe and NATO markets amid growing geopolitical uncertainty and Europe’s rearmament drive. At a defense and aerospace forum held in Seoul on Tuesday, the Belgian Embassy in Seoul highlighted South Korea’s emergence as a key global hub for advanced defense manufacturing and technology. The event brought together government officials, more than 20 Korean companies, indu
May 12, 2026 - 17:30:20
EU marks Europe Day in Seoul
The Delegation of the European Union to Korea celebrated Europe Day in Seoul on Friday. Commemorating 75 years since the Schuman Declaration, widely regarded as the foundation of European integration, the event featured exhibition booths from 25 EU member states and corporate partners showcasing European food, beverages and culture. Among the attendees were South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo and First Vice Minister of Science and ICT Koo Hyuk-chae, along with members of the diplomatic corps
May 12, 2026 - 14:28:56
