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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.
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S. Korea, Kuwait highlight decadeslong ties
South Korea and Kuwait highlighted more than four decades of ties at an event to mark Kuwait’s National Day on Thursday. Kuwait’s National Day, which falls on Feb. 25, commemorates the day Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah became ruler of Kuwait in 1950. Al-Sabah signed a treaty securing Kuwait’s independence from Britain. Kuwait was a British protectorate until 1961. In his remarks Ammar Maarafi, chargé d'affaires of the Kuwaiti Embassy in Seoul said that since 1979, Kuwait and South Korea have
Feb. 19, 2026 - 17:39:41
주한 아프리카대사단, 최진영 헤럴드미디어그룹 대표와 면담…한·아프리카 협력 강화 논의
주한 아프리카대사단(AGA)은 2월 11일 최진영 헤럴드미디어그룹 대표이사와 만나 아프리카와 한국 간 협력 강화 방안을 논의했다. AGA는 서울에 주재하는 19개 아프리카 국가 대사관을 대표하는 협의체다. 최 대표는 과거 아프리카 각국 대사관과의 협력 사례를 언급하며 양 지역 간 관계를 더욱 긴밀히 하기 위해서는 대중적 접점을 확대하는 노력이 필요하다고 강조했다. 그는 “아프리카를 한국 국민에게 보다 의미 있는 방식으로 더 가까이 소개해야 한다”며 인적 교류 확대의 중요성을 역설했다. 코리아헤럴드는 2024년부터 ‘Bridge to Africa’ 시리즈를 통해 한국과 아프리카 국가 간 외교·경제 협력 관계를 조명하는 인터뷰와 분석, 기획 기사를 게재해왔다. 이날 면담에서 아프리카 각국 대사들은 인식 전환과 협력 범위 확대의 필요성을 제기했다. 에미 제로노 킵소이 주한 케냐 대사는 “아프리카를 해변과 북, 춤으로만 인식하는 고정관념에서 벗어나야 한다”며 앞으로는 비즈니스, 기술, 혁신
Feb. 19, 2026 - 17:34:40
한·인도, 경제안보 협력 강화 재확인…첨단·신흥 분야 협력 확대
한국과 인도가 14일 경제안보 협력을 강화하고 핵심·신흥 분야에서의 협력을 확대하기로 재확인했다. 이번 합의는 박윤주 외교부 제1차관과 P. 꾸마란(P. Kumaran) 인도 외교부 동방담당 차관이 제6차 한·인도 외교·안보 대화를 공동 주재한 자리에서 이뤄졌다. 양측은 2026년 ‘특별 전략적 동반자 관계’ 고도화를 위해 정례적인 장관급 방문과 공동 회의를 추진하기로 했다. 2010년 출범한 한·인도 외교·안보 대화는 지역 및 글로벌 안보 현안을 점검하고 양자 협력 방안을 논의하는 협의체다. 박 차관은 이날 회의에서 국익 중심의 실용 외교에 대한 한국 정부의 의지를 재확인하며, 인도를 핵심 지역 파트너로 평가했다. 이에 꾸마란 차관은 양국 협력의 외연을 넓히기 위한 미래지향적 이니셔티브의 중요성을 강조했다. 양국은 특별 전략적 동반자 관계 10주년을 맞아 정상회담과 장관급 회의를 정례적으로 개최해 왔으며, 경제안보와 기술, 국방, 인적 교류 등을 중심으로 협력을 심화해왔다. 한편
Feb. 19, 2026 - 16:48:47
Indonesia screens animated film ‘Jumbo’ in Seoul
The Embassy of Indonesia in Seoul hosted a special screening of the Indonesian animated feature "Jumbo" on Thursday. Held at CGV Yongsan IPark Mall as part of Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy efforts, the screening introduced Korean audiences to the feature-length directorial debut of Ryan Adriandhy. The fantasy adventure film was co-produced by Visinema Studios, Springboard Entertainment, and Anami Films, and was produced by Anggia Kharisma and Novia Puspa Sari. The story centers on Don -- a boy
Feb. 19, 2026 - 13:29:25
South Korea, India reaffirm push for economic security
South Korea and India on Friday reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering economic security and expanding cooperation in critical and emerging sectors. The pledge came as First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo and India’s Secretary (East) P. Kumaran co-chaired the sixth Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue. The two sides agreed to advance the Special Strategic Partnership in 2026 through regular ministerial visits and joint meetings. Established in 2010, the dialogue serves as a channel to re
Feb. 19, 2026 - 13:28:58
Herald, AGA discuss Africa-Korea cooperation
The African Group of Ambassadors in Seoul, representing 19 African embassies, met with Herald Media Group CEO Choi Jin-young on Feb. 11 to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between Africa and South Korea. Recalling past partnerships with African embassies, Choi emphasized the need for deeper public engagement. “Africa must be brought closer to Koreans in a meaningful way,” he said, stressing the importance of expanding people-to-people exchanges. Since 2024, The Korea Herald has published i
Feb. 19, 2026 - 11:40:33
AKC okays ASEAN-ROK action plan
The ASEAN-Korea Center council approved the ASEAN-ROK action plan for 2026-2030 at its annual meeting in Seoul on Wednesday. The plan aims to strengthen cooperation in peace, stability, prosperity, sustainability, and regional connectivity. “2026 is expected to serve as a pivotal year for the AKC as a practical platform for the full implementation of the ASEAN-Korea Plan of Action,” said AKC Secretary General Kim Jae-shin. “The AKC will continue to pursue concrete cooperation in trade, investmen
Feb. 12, 2026 - 21:44:58
Iranian Embassy marks Iran’s Islamic Revolution Day in Seoul
The Iranian Embassy in Seoul marked Iran’s Islamic Revolution Day on Tuesday. The day commemorates the 1979 revolution that established the Islamic Republic following the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty, which had ruled Iran from 1925 to 1979. Iran’s ambassador to Korea, Saeed Koozechi, highlighted Tehran’s balanced and active diplomacy, noting the 63rd anniversary of Iran-Korea diplomatic ties. “Despite various challenges and the adverse influence of certain third parties, our relationship has
Feb. 12, 2026 - 21:44:27
To readers of Korean media on Serbian Statehood Day
Each year on Feb. 15, Serbia celebrates Sretenje, its Statehood Day, as a moment that resonates deeply in our national consciousness. This date commemorates the beginning of the First Serbian Uprising in 1804, a seminal event that set Serbia on the path from centuries of Ottoman rule toward autonomy in 1817, full independence in 1878 and the adoption of its first modern constitution, the Sretenjski Ustav, in 1835. Sretenje is not only a celebration of historical milestones, but also a tribute to
Feb. 12, 2026 - 10:07:56
New Egyptian envoy eyes stronger economic diplomacy with Korea
Egypt’s newly appointed Ambassador to South Korea, Hazem Zaki, aims to deepen economic and people-to-people ties with South Korea. South Korea and Egypt are fast-tracking a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to boost trade, investment and cooperation in supply chains, digital technology and energy. Seoul views Egypt as a gateway to Europe, Africa and the Middle East, offering new opportunities for Korean firms, while President Lee Jae Myung pledged $10 million to the Red Crescent, a hu
Feb. 10, 2026 - 17:24:50
[Diplomatic Circuit] CAF, Korea ready to realize shared goals: CAF president
The Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) and South Korea are ready for the realization of development objectives, according to Sergio Diaz-Granados, president of CAF. "It's not just about how long we've worked together — what stands out is the shift from isolated efforts to more structured, consistent collaboration, grounded in growing mutual understanding and institutional alignment," Diaz-Granados told The Korea Herald in a written interview, asked about the way the CAF-Ko
Feb. 9, 2026 - 13:37:34![[Diplomatic Circuit] CAF, Korea ready to realize shared goals: CAF president](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2026/02/09/news-p.v1.20260206.89ff2361534542878640cba029fae215_T1.jpg?type=h&h=320)
Georgia-Korea deal, pragmatic diplomacy: New pathways for constrained markets
Since the outbreak of Russia's war in Ukraine, Korean companies have faced constraints in direct engagement with the Russian and Ukrainian markets, while business conditions across the wider region have become increasingly complex and risk-sensitive. Against this backdrop, Georgia could play a constructive and stabilizing role, according to Nikoloz Samkharadze, chairperson of the Georgian Parliament's Foreign Relations Committee. Speaking in an interview with The Korea Herald, Samkharadze said G
Jan. 30, 2026 - 10:50:13
New Sri Lankan envoy aims to boost ties with South Korea
Pathma Naathan, Sri Lanka’s newly appointed ambassador to South Korea, expressed strong hopes of strengthening Sri Lanka-Korea relations during a courtesy visit to the Herald Media Group on Wednesday. Highlighting the history of diplomatic engagement between the two nations, Ambassador Naathan said, “Next year, we will celebrate the 50th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Sri Lanka.” The two countries officially established diplomatic ties on November 14, 1977. Naathan e
Jan. 29, 2026 - 11:35:24
India marks Republic Day, eyes stronger ties with S. Korea
The Indian Embassy in Seoul marked India’s 77th Republic Day on Monday, underlining the goal of deepening ties with South Korea in the year ahead. The occasion commemorates the adoption of India’s constitution in 1949, declaring the nation a “sovereign democratic republic” upholding justice, liberty, equality and fraternity. Delivering remarks at the event, Indian Ambassador Gourangalal Das highlighted India’s progress, technological advances, and the 10th anniversary of the India-Korea Special
Jan. 27, 2026 - 15:33:51
‘Never again’: Israel, Germany commemorate Holocaust victims in Korea
The embassies of Israel and Germany in South Korea jointly hosted a Holocaust remembrance ceremony in Seoul on Tuesday. Held at the National Museum of Korean Democracy, the event marked the UN-designated International Holocaust Remembrance Day on Jan. 27, commemorating the liberation of Auschwitz-Birkenau in 1945 and honoring the nearly 6 million Jews murdered by Nazi Germany during the Shoah. Since 2017, the German and Israeli embassies in Korea have held Holocaust remembrance events to uphold
Jan. 27, 2026 - 13:47:51
