By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Eldor Tulyakov, Executive Director, Development Strategy Centre (Uzbekistan), to the UN Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. -- Ed. As Uzbekistan stands on the brink of its 2024 elections, the nation is at a crucial juncture that will shape its future on both domestic and international fronts. These elections, scheduled for October, are not just another democratic exercise; they are a pivotal continuation of the irreversible reforms that began in late 2016. These reforms aim to strengthen the role
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Guatemalan Ambassador to Korea Sara Angelina Solis Castaneda met with Chairman Kim Byung-kwan of Korea Importers Association (KOIMA) at the KOIMA in Bangbae-dong, Seoul to discuss ways to stabilize the global supply chain and expand bilateral trade. "Guatemala has high competitiveness in coffee, macadamias, and wood products, but we have recently faced difficulties in exporting macadamias and wood due to China's import restrictions," said Ambassador Castaneda. "With the help of the Korea Importers Association, we hope to expand our exports to South Korea, Singapore, J
By UN Journal Kayla Lee UN Secretary-General António Guterres has deplored a deadly weekend attack on a Gaza school-turned-shelter, his Office said on Aug. 12. “The Secretary-General condemns the continued loss of life in Gaza, including women and children, as we witness yet another devastating strike by Israel on the Al-Taba’een school in Gaza City, sheltering hundreds of displaced Palestinians families, with scores of fatalities, amidst continued horror, displacement, and suffering in Gaza,” said UN Deputy Spokesperson Farhan Haq. The incident occurred on Aug. 3 and at least 100 people were
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo The Association of Royal Crafts Culture of Korea and ORIHERI (Oriental Heritage) of Vietnam signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to promote bilateral cooperation in the exchanges of traditional cultural crafts between the two countries at the Janggyo Building in Seoul on Aug. 9. Lee Chil-yong, president of the Association of Royal Crafts Culture, and Tran Thi Ngoc Diep, chairwoman of ORIHERI, signed the MOU in a signing ceremony held at the Janggyo Building in Seoul. Under the pact, both sides agreed to promote cultural heritage exchange and introduce the import
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo “Royal Thai Embassy in Korea will host the Sawasdee Seoul Thai Festival on Oct. 5-6, 2024, at Cheonggye Plaza in Seoul to introduce both traditional and contemporary Thai culture to Korean audiences,” said Amb. Tanee Sangrat of Thailand to Korea on Aug. 6. In an interview with the Diplomacy Journal, Amb. Tanee Sangrat said, “Through the Thai festival, visitors can look forward to enjoying popular Thai food and products already beloved in Korea, as well as discovering new and exciting Thai offerings we are eager to showcase.” Noting that 1.6 million Korean tourists vis
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo “Lao PDR can serve as a strategic production base for Korean companies aiming to expand into ASEAN, China, and other markets,” said Amb. Songkane Luangmuninthone of the Lao PDR to South Korea on Aug. 6. In an interview with the Diplomacy Journal, Amb. Songkane Luangmuninthone said, “Lao PDR offers a streamlined, one-stop service for investors and a favorable tax system, making it an attractive destination for foreign investment.” He said, “Therefore, we extend a warm invitation to Korean companies to invest in sectors such as energy, mining, infrastructure, agricultur
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Guatemalan Ambassador to Korea Sara Solis Castaneda visited the Honorary Consulate of Guatemala in Busan and expressed her willingness to cooperate to facilitate the import and export of coffee from three Central American countries, including Guatemala, through Busan Port. According to the Honorary Consulate of Guatemala in Busan on Aug. 4, Ambassador Castaneda visited the Honorary Consulate of Guatemala in Busan, Busanjin-gu, Busan. Ambassador Castaneda met with Guatemalan Honorary Consul General Lim Su-bok and they agreed to work together to import and export coffee
By UN Journal Lee Jon-young National Assembly Speaker Woo Won-sik met with Ambassador Peter van der Vliet of the Netherlands at the Woo’s office on Aug. 1. The two countries have been strategic partners since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1961, developing bilateral ties based on common values such as freedom, democracy, and human rights. "I congratulate the new government of the Netherlands on its recent inauguration and look forward to continuing our strategic partnership with the new government," Woo said, welcoming Ambassador van der Vliet. "The Netherlands ranked as the top
UNJournal Jon Lee | 영문 외교저널 7월호 발간 책자 JPG로 전체보기
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Ambassador Chafik Rachadi of Morocco to Korea hosted a reception to celebrate the 25th anniversary of the accession of His Majesty the King Mohammed VI to the Throne, commemorated as the National Day of the Kingdom of Morocco, at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel in Seoul, on July 30. Delivering a speech at the reception, Ambassador Chafik Rachadi said, “Morocco has spent the past quarter century cultivating and building momentum in international diplomacy, taking a dynamic course to establishing itself as a worldwide player. “One important result of this approach is
UNJournal Kayla Lee | President Yoon Suk-yeol sent congratulatory telegeams to each of the 14 South Korean athletes who have won medals over the past three days at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris, France. In his congratulations to Ban Hyo-jin, the youngest member of the Korean shooting team to win a gold medal in the women's 10-meter air rifle, the President said, “The entire nation held its breath during the last single shot of the youngest member of the Korean Olympic team in Paris and cheered when she won by 0.1 points.” He praised Ban's focus and boldness in winning Korea's 100th gold me
UNJournal Kayla Lee | Many Korean legends and myths are closely linked to nature. One of the most notable is the 'Manbyeonghwajodo' (萬病花朝圖). As its name suggests, this unique flower is said to have the mystical ability to cure all ailments, and the legends and stories surrounding it have been passed down through the ages. Manbyeonghwajodo is a painting that depicts the characteristic elements of the flower in a stylized manner, rather than in a realistic form. Each canvas is labeled with the names of flowers, such as Hangyuoknyeo Jikgeumhwa, Hongdohwa, Dongjeonghosangbuyonghwa, Yeongjuhwa, Okd
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Kim Hong-kyun, Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, and Ma Zhaoxu, Executive Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs of the People’s Republic of China, held the tenth Korea-China Vice Foreign Ministerial Strategic Dialogue on July 24 in Seoul. The two sides discussed issues of mutual interest such as Korea-China relations, , and regional and global affairs. The Dialogue has been held 9 times since the two countries agreed at the Korea-China Summit in 2008 to establish a high-level strategic dialogue channel between their diplomatic authorities. The tent
UNJournal Jon Lee | The South Korean National Assembly is a mess. With political conflicts and confrontations reaching a fever pitch, the National Assembly is more focused on political strife than on policies for the people. In this situation, people's expectations of the National Assembly are getting lower and lower, which is causing serious problems across the country. It is not just politicians who are responsible for the current state of the National Assembly. The people are also at fault. They often make poor judgments in elections and are swayed by inflammatory media and fake news to cas
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo The Central Election Commission held a meeting and a series of events today, July 26th. The primary agenda item was the preparation and high-level accomplishment of the upcoming elections for the Legislative Chamber of the Oliy Majlis and the Councils of People's Deputies in full compliance with the Constitution and laws. According to Article 128 of the Constitution of the Republic of Uzbekistan, are scheduled to take place on the first Sunday of the third ten-day period of October in the year their term expires. Considering that the term of the deputies of the Legisl