National
Diplomatic Circuit In series
Interviews and stories about the diplomatic corps in Seoul.
#Diplomacy
# Ambassadors
Would you like to subscribe?
Diplomatic Circuit In series
Interviews and stories about the diplomatic corps in Seoul.
Would you like to subscribe?
German embassies in Seoul, Tokyo to host League of Legends tournament
The German Embassies in Seoul and Tokyo are set to host a cross-border League of Legends tournament to connect South Korea, Japan, and Germany through esports. Under the theme "Diplomacy Meets Esports," the embassies aim to connect players and audiences from Germany, South Korea and Japan, highlighting esports as a platform for cultural diplomacy. "While Korea is renowned for its exceptional League of Legends talent, with players like Faker or ShowMaker, the gaming scenes in both Germany and Jap
Jan. 26, 2026 - 13:43:07
Turkey, S. Korea honor hero of Korean War
The Turkish Embassy in Seoul and the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs honored Brig. Gen. Tahsin Yazici, commander of the Turkish Brigade during the Korean War, on Tuesday. Yazici was selected as South Korea’s “Hero of the Korean War” for January 2026 under the ministry’s program honoring Korean and UN veterans each month. Appointed commander of the Turkish Brigade in 1950, Yazici led 4,500 troops after their arrival in Busan. He distinguished himself and the unit at the Battle of Kunu-r
Jan. 20, 2026 - 18:27:06
Malaysia's chairmanship of ASEAN 2025: Steady leadership in uncertain times
As Malaysia concluded its tenure as chair of the Association of Southeast Asian Nations on Dec. 31, 2025, the year emerged as a defining chapter of steady and principled leadership amid an increasingly complex regional and global landscape. Anchored in the overarching theme of "inclusivity and sustainability," Malaysia steered ASEAN through heightened geopolitical uncertainty, economic headwinds and evolving regional security dynamics, reaffirming ASEAN's unity, relevance and capacity to navigat
Jan. 15, 2026 - 11:48:41
Ruling party chair, Czech envoy assess bilateral ties
Czech envoy to South Korea Ivan Jancarek and Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae reviewed energy, defense, and people-to-people ties between the Czech Republic and the Republic of Korea on Tuesday. Jung recalled the recent visit to the Czech Republic by Korea’s interior minister and underlined plans to boost cooperation in disaster response, digital governance, and the energy sector, including the Dukovany nuclear project, according to the Public Affairs Bureau of the Democratic Party of Kore
Jan. 13, 2026 - 14:07:27
India marks World Hindi Day in Seoul
The Indian Embassy in South Korea celebrated World Hindi Day in Seoul on Saturday. Observed annually on January 10, the day commemorates the first World Hindi Conference held in Nagpur in 1975. Indian embassies worldwide mark the occasion to promote Hindi language awareness through lectures, cultural events and discussions. Speaking at the event, Indian Ambassador Gourangalal Das underscored the significance of Hindi, echoing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message on the occasion. Das ref
Jan. 12, 2026 - 13:32:41
North Korea fires ballistic missiles ahead of Seoul-Beijing summit
North Korea fired what is believed to be a number of ballistic missiles into the East Sea early Sunday, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said. The launches continued the show of force and military development it has displayed in recent weeks, but the timing has drawn assessments that Pyongyang may be sending a message to Seoul and its allies. Sunday’s missile came a day ahead of South Korea President Lee Jae Myung’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and shortly after the US took Venez
Jan. 4, 2026 - 14:19:40
Russia, North Korea exchange New Year's gifts
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, said on Monday that she exchanged New Year gifts with Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. In a post on Telegram, Zakharova said she received Kim’s gift via North Korean Ambassador to Russia Shin Hong-chol and, in return, sent Kim a portrait of her. Zakharova said she learned only on Sunday evening that Kim had sent a gift, adding that due to difficulties in preparing a return present on short notice, she sought
Dec. 31, 2025 - 14:54:39
North Korean POWs’ transfer to S. Korea still pending
The repatriation of two North Korean prisoners of war in Ukraine remains unresolved, despite both men having expressed a desire to come to South Korea. The captured soldiers have sought to defect to South Korea for several months, but talks between South Korea and Ukraine have made little progress. The two soldiers expressed their intention to defect to South Korea in March and October, sending handwritten letters in which they called South Koreans “their biological parents and brothers” and tha
Dec. 31, 2025 - 14:04:24
N. Korea amplifies military narrative
Marking the 14th anniversary of Kim Jong-un’s appointment as Supreme Commander, North Korea is intensifying its revolutionary and military rhetoric, hailing the period as the “peak era of fortifying revolutionary armed forces.” Kim Jong-un was appointed Supreme Commander during a Workers’ Party Politburo meeting on December 30, 2011, roughly two weeks after the death of his father, Kim Jong-il. The state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun asserted that under Kim’s leadership, the Korean People’s Army h
Dec. 30, 2025 - 14:51:21
N. Korea tests long-range cruise missiles, vows 'unlimited nuclear buildup'
North Korea's show of force is continuing, with the regime testing long-range strategic cruise missiles in the West Sea on Sunday. According to the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency on Monday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the launch, where he stressed the need to maintain readiness. The KCNA quoted him as saying the regime needs to "constantly test and demonstrate the reliability and rapid response of components of nuclear deterrence." He added that the regime would continu
Dec. 29, 2025 - 14:35:36
North Korean, Russian leadership hint at closer ties
North Korea and Russia appear likely to seek deepened cooperation, with top officials expressing hopes to build on developments seen this year. On Saturday, the North’s official newspaper Rodong Sinmun carried Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev’s New Year message to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, in which the Russian politician expressed hopes for “new possibilities” in bilateral ties with North Korea. In his message, Medvedev, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, des
Dec. 28, 2025 - 13:44:11
Korea engagement a must for Dominican Republic, says ProDominicana chief
Engagement with Korea is a “must” for the Dominican Republic’s high-value and high-tech sectors, according to Biviana Riveiro, chief of the Dominican Republic’s export and foreign investment promotion agency, ProDominicana. In a written interview with The Korea Herald, Riveiro said Korea’s strengths closely aligned with the Dominican Republic’s strategic priorities. “Semiconductors, electronics and ICT stand out, as the Dominican Republic is implementing its National Strategy for Semiconductors
Dec. 24, 2025 - 16:57:23
UAE honors Korean artist Lee Bul
The United Arab Emirates honored Korean contemporary artist Lee Bul with the Abu Dhabi Festival Award in Seoul on Wednesday. Lee Bul received the award from UAE Ambassador to Korea Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi during an Art @ Embassies panel, highlighting her role in cultural dialogue. “Her (Lee Bul's) interdisciplinary practice continues to inspire audiences around the globe,” said Al Nuaimi, congratulating Lee. He said the initiative “fosters cultural and educational exchange” and marks a key step i
Dec. 24, 2025 - 11:46:46
Korea-India partnership not desirable but essential: foreign minister
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said India was an indispensable global partner in era of turbulence and strategic competition at the 24th Korea-India Strategic Dialogue held Dec. 18-19. Delivering a keynote speech at the annual gathering, Cho highlighted India’s rising strategic value due to its agenda-setting influence on regional stability and global supply chains. “Cooperation between Korea and India is not simply desirable — it is essential,” Cho stressed. “President Lee Jae Myung wil
Dec. 23, 2025 - 14:11:31
Outgoing Georgian envoy says CEPA would deepen Korea–Georgia ties beyond trade
Signing of a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement would give South Korea-Georgia trade a significant boost, and lay foundations for deeper bilateral ties, outgoing Georgian Ambassador to South Korea Tarash Papaskua said Wednesday. “Hopefully, we will be able to sign it early next year — maybe in the first quarter, as soon as the time is right,” Papaskua said during a meeting with Herald Media Group CEO Choi Jin-young. "This will be a major boost for trade,” he said. The ambassador presen
Dec. 18, 2025 - 14:00:36
