By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Higgsfield AI has officially become Kazakhstan’s first unicorn startup, surpassing a $1 billion valuation, announced co-founder and former Head of Generative AI at Snap Inc. Alex Mashrabov on Sept. 28. According to Mashrabov, the company recently crossed a $50 million run-rate revenue threshold, marking a historic milestone for Kazakhstan’s tech ecosystem. “For the last 15 years, no company in our country has managed to achieve this,” he said. Higgsfield AI’s journey to unicorn status was fueled by investments from leading global funds, including Menlo Ventures, which
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Tajikistan took center stage in a series of major cultural events across the Republic of Korea, underscoring the deepening partnership between Central Asia and Korea. The events, held in collaboration with the Korea Foundation, the Asian Cultural Center (ACC), and the Central Asia-Korea Friendship Association, featured celebrated Tajik art, fashion, and music. The celebrations kicked off on September 30, 2025, in Seoul with the 7th Central Asian-Republic of Korea Friendship Day. A highlight of the day was a stunning fashion show presenting Tajikistan's national costum
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Hyundai Motor Company announced the opening of Hyundai Translocal Series: Entangled and Woven, the inaugural exhibition of the Hyundai Translocal Series on Sept. 3. The exhibition is co-organized by the Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 (Cheongju, Korea) and the Whitworth, The University of Manchester (Manchester, UK) in collaboration with the National Crafts Museum & Hastkala Academy (New Delhi, India). It opened as part of the Cheongju Craft Biennale 2025 on September 4 and runs through November 2, 2025. This exhibition is the first presentation of the Hyundai Transl
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo UN Secretary-General António Guterres on July 28 warned that the Israeli-Palestinian conflict is “at a breaking point” and headed toward a one-State reality marked by perpetual occupation and inequality, unless the international community takes urgent, irreversible steps to implement the two-State solution, the UN News reported. Addressing the high-level conference on the peaceful settlement of the question of Palestine and the implementation of the two-State solution, Mr. Guterres delivered a stark message about the urgency of action and the cost of delay. “For decad
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul to the UN Journal for publication. –Ed. In recent years, Uzbekistan has undertaken large-scale reforms aimed at transforming its public administration and civil service systems. The primary goal has been to build an efficient, transparent, and citizen-oriented governance model. The progress and potential achieved in this area will be showcased at the UN Public Service Forum, to be held in Samarkand in June 2025. This will be the first time Uzbekistan hosts this prestigious forum, which reflect
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Glaciers in many regions will not survive the 21st century if they keep melting at the current rate, potentially jeopardising hundreds of millions of people living downstream, UN climate experts said on the first World Day for Glaciers. According to the UN News, together with ice sheets in Greenland and Antarctica, glaciers lock up about 70 per cent of the world’s freshwater reserves. They are striking indicators of climate change as they typically remain about the same size in a stable climate. But, with rising temperatures and global warming triggered by human-induc
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Jeollanam-do Governor Kim Young-rok met with Mongolian Ambassador to Korea Sukhbold Sukhee in the provincial building on March 20 to discuss ways to promote friendly exchanges for mutual prosperity. “Mongolia is a country with vast territory, abundant mineral resources and green energy resources, and we look forward to exchanges in various fields of economy and trade, education, culture and tourism,” Gov. Kim said. He went on to introduce various international events held in Jeonnam and the cultural industries of the province, calling for interest. Major international
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo On a visit to Bangladesh, UN Secretary-General António Guterres underscored the pivotal moment the country is facing as it navigates a period of significant transition and reform, the UN News reported. Speaking to the media on March 15, the Secretary-General praised Bangladesh’s progress and highlighted the role of the international community in supporting the country’s future. “I am particularly pleased to be in Bangladesh at this important moment in your national journey,” Mr. Guterres said, acknowledging the leadership of Chief Adviser Muhammad Yunus and the hopes
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo “Tajikistan stands ready for strengthening mutually beneficial cooperation with the Republic of Korea in such areas as hydropower, textile, light, chemical and food industries, mining and processing of mineral ore and rare metals, mechanical engineering, pharmaceuticals, agriculture, transport and tourism,” said Ambassador of the Republic of Tajikistan to the Republic of Korea Salohiddin Kirom on March 14. In an exclusive interview with Diplomacy Journal held at the Embassy of Tajikistan in Hannan-dong, Seoul, Amb. Salohiddin Kirom said, “Tajikistan is open to conside
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will pay a state visit to France at the invitation of President Emmanuel Macron on March 11-13, the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul said. France, a highly developed industrial and agricultural nation, holds a leading global position in industrial output. Its economic prowess places it among the world’s top seven economies. A nuclear power and a permanent member of the UN Security Council, France also plays a pivotal role within the European Union and on the broader international stage. France recognized Uzbekistan’s independen
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Donald Trump has been sworn in for a second term as president of the United States at noon local time (17:00 GMT) in Washington, DC. Donald Trump took office as the United States' 47th president on Jan. 20, renewing his vow to "put America first" and tariff foreign countries to enrich Americans, while signaling an intent to refrain from military involvement in conflicts overseas. During his swearing-in ceremony in the Capitol Rotunda in Washington, Trump, 78, underscored his America First credo as his second four-year term is expected to see a major shift in the U.S.'
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo “Uzbekistan, the heart of Central Asia and a key crossroads of the Silk Road, is swiftly becoming a must-visit destination for travelers worldwide, including Korean tourists,” said Amb. Alisher Abdusalomov of Uzbekistan to South Korea. In an exclusive interview with Diplomacy Journal, Amb. Abdusalomov said, “Boasting a rich history, breathtaking architecture, and a vibrant cultural heritage, Uzbekistan offers a distinctive blend of experiences that enchant and inspire.” Noting that every year, Uzbekistan is visited by 40 thousand Korean tourists, he said, “Uzbekistan,
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo A special exhibition will be held to strengthen cultural ties between South Korea and Uzbekistan in the new year of 2025. The 52nd International Cultural Exchange Exhibition will be held from March 5 to 11 on the second floor of the Insa-dong Museum of Korean Art in Seoul, marking the 33rd anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries. The international event was organized in consultation with Uzbekistan's Ambassador to Korea Alisher Abdusalomov and Diplomatic Journal Chairman Lee Jon-young. The exhibition will be a magnificent cultural exchange, bring
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Seoul Metropolitan Government will launch the Hangang Bus, a new waterborne means of transportation, with two newly constructed catamarans ready for service, this year. These vessels’ specially designed low-profile hulls will minimize wave impact and allow them to pass under Jamsugyo, the city bridge with the lowest boat clearance, that sits right below Banpodaegyo Bridge. Their white base color with a gradient of blue hues echoes the river’s shifting appearance throughout the day, creating a visual connection between the vessels and the natural surroundings. Eunsung
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo In a message commemorating the International Day of Epidemic Preparedness on Dec. 27, UN Secretary-General António Guterres urged all nations to invest in resilience and equity to make a healthier and safer world for all, the UN News reported. The world remains dangerously unprepared for the next pandemic, despite the harrowing lessons of COVID-19, Mr. Guterres warned. “COVID-19 was a wake-up call to the world,” he stated, reflecting on the devastating human, economic and social toll of the pandemic. “The crisis may have passed, but a harsh lesson remains: the world i