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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?
First human spaceflight and its enduring legacy
April 12 marked the International Day of Human Space Flight — a date of profound historical and symbolic significance. Established by a resolution of the United Nations General Assembly, this international observance commemorates a defining event in human history. On that day, Soviet cosmonaut Yuri Gagarin became the first human to journey into outer space, orbiting the Earth aboard the spacecraft Vostok 1. His flight, lasting just 108 minutes, was not merely a technological breakthrough. It was
April 13, 2026 - 11:25:40
Astana adopts peace declaration with Korean participation
The Embassy of Kazakhstan in Seoul is once again highlighting the Astana Peace Declaration adopted last year. The declaration, adopted at the conclusion of the eighth Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions on Sept. 17–18, highlights religion as a force for cooperation and a trust-based global order. In a statement shared with The Korea Herald, the embassy said the declaration could expand South Korea-Central Asia cooperation in humanitarian and diplomatic areas, including academi
April 10, 2026 - 12:35:39
India’s IBC, Jogye lay group discuss cooperation at Bexpo 2026
India’s International Buddhist Confederation and South Korea’s lay Buddhist community under the Jogye order discussed future cooperation at the Seoul International Buddhism Expo, or Bexpo 2026, April 4. In a courtesy meeting, IBC Director General Abhijit Halder and Jung Won-ju, president of the Lay Buddhist Association of the Jogye Order and chair of Daewoo Engineering & Construction, agreed to enhance cultural and spiritual ties between India and South Korea through shared Buddhist heritage. Bu
April 9, 2026 - 14:44:25
Embassy unveils four books in Korean on Italy
The Italian Embassy in Seoul on Tuesday unveiled four Korean-language books on Italy, highlighting growing cultural exchanges between the two countries. Among the four featured authors at the event, Jung Tainam said his latest book on Rome targets readers seeking a deeper understanding of the city. In her remarks at the event, Italian Ambassador to South Korea Emilia Gatto described her residence in Seoul as a space where Italy and Korea meet, underscoring that bilateral relations have continued
April 8, 2026 - 13:37:40
Rwanda honors Tutsi genocide victims
Rwanda commemorated the 32nd anniversary of the 1994 genocide against the Tutsi with a solemn ceremony in Seoul on Tuesday. Hosting the commemoration as Kwibuka32 under the theme “Remember — Unite — Renew,” the Embassy of Rwanda in Seoul gathered over 150 participants at the FEBC Art Hall in Seoul's Mapo-gu, honoring victims, supporting survivors and paying tribute to those who helped end the killings. “Remembrance must remain grounded in truth,” said Rwandan ambassador Bakuramutsa Nkubito in hi
April 8, 2026 - 12:18:36
Georgia's Europe-Asia gateway position invites investors
Today, Georgia positions itself as one of the most dynamic and fastest-growing economies on the European map. Despite a complex regional geopolitical landscape and global challenges, the country has successfully maintained political stability while consistently improving its economic indicators. According to data from the last five years, Georgia leads Europe in terms of economic growth rates. Between 2021 and 2025, the average annual growth reached 9.3 percent. The International Monetary Fund f
April 7, 2026 - 15:05:26
Bangladesh marks Independence Day in Seoul
Bangladesh marked its 55th Independence and Martyrs Day in Seoul on Tuesday. Honoring the 1971 struggle while highlighting growing economic and strategic ties with South Korea, the Bangladeshi Embassy in Seoul commemorated the sacrifices of the Liberation War. Bangladeshi Ambassador to South Korea Toufiq Islam Shatil led the ceremony, honoring freedom fighters and what he described as the contributions of 30 million people in the independence struggle. He also referenced former President Ziaur R
April 1, 2026 - 13:55:21
Uzbek deputy minister, Herald pledge deeper Korea-Uzbekistan economic diplomacy
Ilzat Kasymov, Uzbekistan’s deputy minister of investment, industry and trade, and Herald Media Group CEO Choi Jin-young on Tuesday vowed to cooperate in deepening economic ties between Korea and Uzbekistan on Tuesday. They underscored a renewed push for investment-led cooperation and expanded private-sector engagement. The discussions come ahead of the Korea-Central Asia Summit scheduled for September 2026, as both countries move to broaden cooperation in industry, trade, supply chains and inve
March 31, 2026 - 14:14:50
ASEAN culture house showcases crafts in Busan
The ASEAN Culture House is showcasing textile traditions in an exhibition titled “Weaving Hands, Women’s Time: Textile Crafts of ASEAN” in Busan. Organized by the Korea Foundation, the exhibition presents textile traditions from 11 Southeast Asian countries, highlighting their history and the role of women in preserving cultural identity through weaving. The exhibition highlights UNESCO-recognized textile traditions, including Timor-Leste’s Tais, and traces weaving from traditional production to
March 30, 2026 - 17:35:35
Outgoing envoy, Herald CEO eye stronger Korea-Africa ties
Outgoing Tanzanian envoy to Korea Togolani Edriss Mavura and Herald Media Group CEO Choi Jin-young discussed Tanzania-Korea relations and Africa Day cooperation on Monday. Africa Day, observed on May 25, marks the 1963 founding of the Organization of African Unity (now African Union) and celebrates African independence, culture and shared progress. Since 2024, 19 African embassies in Seoul have co-hosted the event with Herald Media Group, with this year’s celebration set for May 20. Mavura laude
March 30, 2026 - 16:39:45
Turkmenistan, S. Korea tout neutrality, commonality
Turkmenistan and South Korea underscored shared values of neutrality, cultural affinity and expanding economic cooperation Wednesday, as diplomats and scholars marked the Central Asian nation’s 35th anniversary of independence. Turkmenistan was declared a permanently neutral state on Dec. 12, 1995, under UN General Assembly Resolution 50/80, making it the only country whose neutrality is formally recognized by the United Nations. The principle, defined under the 1907 Hague Convention, refers to
March 26, 2026 - 09:37:44
Tajik Embassy in Seoul celebrates Nowruz with cultural forum
The Embassy of Tajikistan marked Nowruz, the ancient spring festival symbolizing renewal and new beginnings, with a cultural forum Tuesday. Observed on March 21, the vernal equinox, Nowruz — meaning “New Day” — dates back more than 6,000 years. Rooted in Silk Road traditions, the festival is widely celebrated across Central Asia, South Asia and the Middle East, representing hope, renewal and the start of a new cycle. To commemorate the occasion, the embassy hosted a forum titled “Nowruz Bridge:
March 25, 2026 - 15:44:30
India, S. Korea highlight democracy, human cost of terrorism
The Embassy of India in Seoul and the National Museum of Korean Democracy on Tuesday opened an exhibition highlighting the human cost of terrorism and the importance of democratic values. “Human Cost of Terrorism” presents images, videos and testimonies documenting the impact of terrorist acts across continents, underscoring the need for stronger international cooperation to combat terrorism. The exhibition runs March 24-25 and is open to the public. Speaking at the opening ceremony, Lee Jae-oh,
March 24, 2026 - 13:54:18
Ukraine war spillover raises security concerns for Korean Peninsula, warn diplomats
Diplomats and experts in Seoul warned that war in Ukraine is reshaping the global security landscape and raising new risks for the Korean Peninsula, as military ties deepen between Russia and North Korea, at a panel discussion Friday. They suggested that without closer cooperation between European and Asian democracies such as South Korea, responding to security threats will become increasingly difficult. Russia's invasion of Ukraine has evolved into a broader geopolitical confrontation, with No
March 23, 2026 - 12:45:02
Korea, Central Asia highlight Nowruz festival heritage
The Korea-Central Asia Secretariat and five Central Asian nations highlighted the cultural heritage of the Nowruz festival as a link between Korea and Central Asia on Wednesday. Nowruz means "New Day," symbolizing the rejuvenation of nature and the start of a new year. The festival is celebrated on the first day of spring, typically on March 21, coinciding with the astronomical vernal equinox. The festival is said to have a history spanning thousands of years in regions along the Silk Road, incl
March 19, 2026 - 13:08:21
