By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo The National Tax Service (NTS) held the 13th Meeting of Korean and Mongolian Tax Commissioners in Seoul on April 16. During the meeting, the two tax administrations agreed on the importance of actively sharing taxation experiences between the two countries for the development of tax administration, and discussed the status of VAT operations, which is a major concern for the Mongolian tax administration. The Korean National Tax Service shared with the Mongolian Tax Administration (NTA) the various systems it has introduced to expand the VAT tax base, including electron
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Kazakhstan's ambitious reform agenda is paving the way for strengthening rule of law and good governance. President Tokayev has spearheaded comprehensive political reforms, including a transformation of government institutions and strengthening of checks and balances, emphasizing the nation's commitment to a democratic path. As a member of the Human Rights Council, Kazakhstan is working to ensure human rights and sharing best practices in various areas, including peace-building, interethnic tolerance, and gender equality. Speaking at the 55th session of the Human Righ
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Governor Kim Kwan-young of Jeollabuk-do held a meeting with Israeli Ambassador to Korea Akiva J. Tor and other embassy officials on April 2 to discuss international cooperation in areas such as Saemangeum development, joint ventures, and traditional cultural exchanges. The official meeting took place as Ambassador Akiva Tor was invited as a special speaker at the 5th anniversary of the opening of Jeonbuk Kukdong Broadcasting. During the meeting, Kim and Akiva Tor shared their entrepreneurship policies and proposed various economic cooperation initiatives, including te
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Mayor Choi Min-ho of Sejong Special Self-Governing City met with a delegation of high-ranking government officials, including Alexandre Marie and YOMO, the director of the National Civil Registration Agency of Cameroon, at Sejong City Hall on March 21 to discuss cooperation plans. The visit was made at the request of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Cameroon as part of the Korea International Cooperation Agency's (KOICA) 'Invitation Training Program for the Pilot Project to Establish a Computerized Civil Registration System in Cameroon'. This is the third visit
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo The UN Security Council on Monday passed a resolution demanding an immediate ceasefire for the month of Ramadan, the immediate and unconditional release of hostages and "the urgent need to expand the flow" of aid into Gaza, the UN News reported. There were 14 votes in favour with the United States abstaining. This was the Council’s first explicit call for an immediate ceasefire since Israel began a military offensive in the Gaza Strip following last October’s brutal attack by Hamas and other Palestinian groups against settlements in southern Israel, in which over 1,20
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo The Ambassador of Kazakhstan to Korea, Nurgali Arystanov, took part in the event “Forest and Innovation - New Solutions for a Better World” to mark the International Day of Forests on March 21. It was organized by the Korea Forest Service and the Asian Forest Cooperation Organization (AFoCO) and attended by Ambassadors of AFoCO countries such as Chile, Brunei, Myanmar, the Philippines and Tajikistan. While delivering the remarks, the Kazakh Ambassador noted the positive dynamics of cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Korea Forest Service and AFoCO in the field of f
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul held his first meeting with Uzbekistan Minister of Foreign Affairs Bakhtiyor SAIDOV since taking office at the Korean Ministry of Foreign Affairs on March 20. The two sides discussed bilateral relations between the two countries. Foreign Minister Cho said that Uzbekistan and Korea have developed a special partnership, suggesting that they continue to cooperate closely in various fields. Foreign Minister Saidov said that Uzbekistan, a special strategic partner of Korea, greatly values its relations with the country and intends to
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo “Korea-Pakistan diplomatic ties, established forty-one years ago, have blossomed into a partnership, based on respect, cordiality, and mutual interest,” said Amb. Nabeel Munir of Pakistan to Korea. Delivering a speech at the Pakistan’s National Day reception held at the Ambassador Seoul Pullman Hotel in Jung-gu, Seoul on March 21, Amb. Munir said, “From socio-economic development to trade and investment, from defense cooperation to cultural exchanges, this partnership continues to blossom. “The ‘Miracle on Han River’ continues to inspire us. We want to learn from Kore
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo The Korean-German Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KGCCI, President & CEO Martin Henkelmann) in cooperation with the Korea Energy Economic Institute (KEEI), Korea Institute of Energy Technology Evaluation and Planning (KETEP), German policy consultancy think tank adelphi and Hydrogen Convergence Alliance held the 6th Korean-German Energy Day (KGED) conference on March 21 at Grand Hyatt Berlin, Germany. The KGED is the flagship event of the Korean-German Energy Partnership, co-hosted by German Ministry for Economic Affairs and Climate Action (BMWK) and Korean Mini
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by the Embassy of Kazakhstan to Diplomacy Journal for publication. –Ed. The President of Kazakhstan, Kassym-Jomart Tokayev, delivered an address at the National Kurultai (National Congress) on March 15. He primally focused on Kazakhstan’s development, outlining key tasks and priorities for the country. The President stated that addressing economic issues alone does not suffice for becoming a genuinely developed nation, adding that Kazakhstan must take a comprehensive approach, outlining guidelines not only in the socio-economic re
By UN Journal Kayla Lee An invitational exhibition of 75 Korean artists is being held in the lobby of Carson City Hall, the U.S. from March 18 to 22. The exhibition, hosted by the Damwha Cultural Foundation (Chairman Damwha Lee Jon-young) and the Federation of Arts and Cultural Organizations of the Americas (Chairman Kim Jun-bae), is organized by the World Peace Art Exhibition Organizing Committee, and sponsored by the UN Journal, Diplomacy Journal, K-Culture, and Citizens’ Administrative Newspaper. This year, the 71st anniversary of the U.S.-Korea Alliance, will be remembered as a historic ex
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul met with Dr. Thomas Bagger, State Secretary of Germany’s Federal Foreign Office, on March 11. They exchanged views on matters of mutual interests, such as bilateral relations and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Foreign Minister Cho and State Secretary Bagger agreed to work towards rearranging President Yoon Suk-yeol's state visit to Germany, which was inevitably postponed last month due to various domestic affairs, at an appropriate time. They also agreed to further bolster the ties between the two countries through conti
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Ambassador of Kazakhstan Nurgali Arystanov met with Daejeon City Mayor Lee Jang-woo in Daejeon City on March 12 to explore ways to expand bilateral cooperation. The Ambassador highlighted the importance of collaboration in science and education. He talked about President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev's vision for a prosperous Kazakhstan, in which priority is also attached to increasing scientific and technical potential. This, as noted by the Kazakh Envoy, opens new opportunities for closer ties with Korea, especially in areas like digital transformation and training skilled
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo President Yoon Suk-yeol received John Podesta, Senior Advisor for International Climate Policy to the President of the United States, at the presidential office on March 12, and exchanged views on bilateral climate cooperation, global climate crisis response, and the Inflation Reduction Act (IRA). The President welcomed Mr. Podesta to Korea on his first overseas trip since being appointed to his current position. Recalling that he and President Biden agreed to expand cooperation on green technologies, including carbon reduction, during his state visit to the United St
By UN Journal Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol received Sarah Sanders, the governor of the U.S. state of Arkansas, in the Presidential Office, on March 11 and exchanged views on strengthening the U.S.-ROK alliance, promoting cooperation between the two countries, and supporting the Korean community. The President said that Arkansas, known as the hometown of General MacArthur, who led the miraculous 'Incheon Landing' in the Korean War, has a special connection to Korea, and hoped that just as the U.S.-ROK alliance, which celebrated its 70th anniversary last year, is evolving into a 'global