By UN Journal Kayla Lee The General Assembly on Dec. 24 adopted the United Nations Convention against Cybercrime, a landmark global treaty aimed at strengthening international cooperation to combat cybercrime and protecting societies from digital threats, the UN News reported. The agreement on the legally binding treaty marked the culmination of a five-year effort by UN Member States, with inputs from civil society, information security experts, academia and the private sector. UN Secretary-General António Guterres welcomed the adoption of the Convention – the first international criminal just
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul presided over the Fourth Overseas Nationals Protection Committee Meeting on December 9, with the participation of government members from relevant ministries and six civilian members. The Committee reviewed the implementation results of the 2024 Overseas Nationals Protection Plan, and deliberated on and approved the 2025 Plan. In addition, the Committee discussed current issues, including the protection of overseas nationals in some conflict regions of the Middle East and measures to strengthen inter-ministerial cooperation in a
UNJournal Jon Lee | The 2024 Jongno-gu Saemaul Leadership Convention was held at 2:00 p.m. on Dec. 23 at the Civil Defense Training Center at the Wellis Center in Jongno-gu, with more than 300 participants. The convention was a meaningful occasion to recall the core values of the Saemaul movement and share a new vision for community development. Major events and awards The event was organized in a colorful sequence, including the entry of Saemaul and the opening declaration, introduction of guests, award presentation, congratulatory remarks, and congratulatory speeches. In particular, Choi Yi-
UNJournal Jon Lee | Diplomatic Journal, December, JPG, 외교저널 12월호 JPG 전체보기
UNJournal Jon Lee | The white tiger painting is one of the four deities in traditional East Asian culture, and is a painting of a white tiger symbolizing the west. It depicts four sacred animals: the blue dragon, the jujak, the white tiger, and the hyeonmu, which represent the directions of east, west, south and north, as well as the five elements, the seasons, and various attributes of nature. Symbolism and characteristics of the white tiger The white tiger represents the west and symbolizes gold. In the Five Elements, gold represents hardness and strength, which is in line with its bravery a
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Amid heightened uncertainty in the Korean financial markets following the state of emergency, Financial Services Commission (FSC) Chairman Kim Byoung-hwan met with the British Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks on Dec. 11 and emphasized that “the Korean government has been consistently and reliably managing the market situation by closely monitoring it and implementing proactive market stabilization measures.” “Based on our experience in keeping the financial system stable during the political upheaval in 2016, we now have more robust market stabilization mechanisms in
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Prime Minister Han Duck-soo met with the U.S. ambassador to South Korea Philip Goldberg on Dec. 9 to explain the state of affairs following the emergency martial law. According to the Prime Minister's Office on Dec. 10, Prime Minister Han met with U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg at the Seoul Government Complex the previous afternoon and told him that the Seoul government is “fully committed to running the country based on the Constitution and laws.” “Please actively inform the international community through various channels, including overseas diplomatic missions and
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo “After 14 years of brutal war and the fall of the dictatorial regime, today the people of Syria can seize an historic opportunity to build a stable and peaceful future,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Dec. 8. As reports continued to emerge from the Syrian capital, Damascus, where opposition forces declared victory overnight on State television, the UN chief said in a statement: The future of Syria is a matter for the Syrians to determine. There is much work to be done to ensure an orderly political transition to renewed institutions, Mr. Guterres, and n
By UN Journal Lee Jon-young South Korean bamboo salt master Choi Dong-soon has broken new ground in traditional bamboo salt making by introducing the world's first 5,000-degree high-temperature Hwangsong bamboo salt. The achievement is considered an artistic revolution in salt making, combining the perfect blend of bamboo and sea salt with innovative technology to contribute to human health. Tradition meets science, 5,000-degree Hwangsong Bamboo Salt Master Choi fuses the essence of bamboo salt-making tradition with modern technology to create 5,000-degree Hwangsong bamboo salt, which has more
UNJournal Kayla Lee | “Thailand-ROK’s people-to-people and cultural ties continue to grow. For instance, Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival held in October proved a resounding success, with over 50,000 visitors,” said H.E. Amb. Tanee Sangrat of Thailand to South Korea at the national day reception. Delivering welcoming speech at the reception held at the Crystal Ballroom, Lotte Hotel Seoul, on Dec. 4, Amb. Tanee Sangrat said, “The Embassy also initiated an unprecedented special passport project this year, issuing over 37,000 passports for Thai nationals in the ROK. Our efforts to elevate tourism and
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo LG Chem and the extrusion machine manufacturer Reifenhäuser have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), confirming further extensive cooperation on Nov. 28, 2024. The aim is to further develop and market competitive Machine Direction Oriented (MDO)-PE blown films and flat films for recyclable packaging. The partners are building on a successful track record: In May 2024, the companies had presented the world's first MDO-PE film only 18 micrometers (µm) , which had been produced on an EVO Ultra Stretch blown film line from Reifenhäuser with specially developed PE
By UN Journal Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol and Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim held a summit at the Yongsan presidential office on Nov. 25 and agreed to strengthen cooperation in areas such as trade and investment, defense and defense, and energy. Both sides agreed to finalize a free trade agreement (FTA) next year. The two countries have established a strategic partnership ahead of the 65th anniversary of diplomatic ties next year. Malaysia is Korea's third-largest trading partner and fourth-largest investment destination in the Association of Southeast Asian Nations (ASEAN).
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo The Jeollanam-do Provincial Assembly signed a friendship and exchange agreement with the Supreme Council of the Karakalpakstan Republic of Uzbekistan to strengthen cooperation between the two parliaments. The meeting was organized in response to the Uzbekistan Supreme Council of Karakalpakstan's willingness to visit and exchange. The signing ceremony was attended by Kim Tae-gyun, Speaker of the Jeollanam-do Provincial Assembly, and more than 10 people, including the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, and embassy offi
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo The Jeollanam-do Provincial Assembly signed a friendship and exchange agreement with the Supreme Council of the Karakalpakstan Republic of Uzbekistan to strengthen cooperation between the two parliaments. The meeting was organized in response to the Uzbekistan Supreme Council of Karakalpakstan's willingness to visit and exchange. The signing ceremony was attended by Kim Tae-gyun, Speaker of the Jeollanam-do Provincial Assembly, and more than 10 people, including the Chairman and Deputy Chairman of the Supreme Council of the Republic of Karakalpakstan, and embassy offi
By UN Journal Kayla Lee The ceasefire agreement in Lebanon represents “the first ray of hope for peace” in the regional war “amidst the darkness of the last few months”, UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Nov. 27 in Lisbon. “It is a moment of great importance, especially for the civilians who were paying an enormous price for the fact that this conflict is not only dragging on, but is also gaining increasingly worrying dimensions,” he said. The Secretary-General was speaking in the Portuguese capital at a joint press conference with Prime Minister Luís Montenegro, a day after Israel