By UN Journal Kayla Lee The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA) will hold the 14th Workshop for Overseas Honorary Consuls of the Republic of Korea from September 15 to September 20. Launched in 2010, this Workshop aims so that they can provide more effective support in protecting overseas Koreans and in promoting Korea’s diplomatic activities. This year’s Workshop, the 14th of its kind, will bring together honorary consuls from 12 countries. This six-day event will kick off with a welcome reception, followed by a seminar to share best practices, special lectures on Korea’s economy and security,
By UN Journal Kayla Lee Minister Bae Kyung-hoon of the Ministry of Science and ICT met with Kazakhstan's Minister of Science and Higher Education, Sayasat Nurbek, in Seoul on September 11 to discuss measures to expand bilateral cooperation in science and technology, including artificial intelligence. Since establishing diplomatic relations in 1992, Kazakhstan has actively engaged with Korea across diverse fields including politics, economy, society, culture, and education, building on multiple rounds of summit diplomacy. In particular, it actively cultivates talent through inter-state exchange
By UN Journal Kayla Lee Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, currently visiting the United States, met with U.S. Secretary of State and National Security Advisor Marco Rubio on September 10 (local time). They exchanged views on the swift resolution of the situation involving Korean nationals detained in Georgia by U.S. authorities, follow-up measures to the Korea-U.S. summit (August 25), high-level Korea-U.S. diplomatic schedules, and North Korea issues. Minister Cho conveyed President Lee Jae-myung's special regards to President Donald Trump and expressed the expectation that the strong ROK-U.S. allian
By UN Journal Kayla Lee Early morning on September 5, at the Chinese Embassy in Jung-gu, Seoul. Though still early, the air outside the embassy is thick with a peculiar mix of tension and excitement. Twenty-six youth reporters, notebooks in one hand and passports in the other, board the bus bound for China. They were participants in the ‘6th Korea Youth Journalists’ Visit to China’ program, the protagonists of a bilateral youth friendship exchange initiative organized by the Korea China Economy & Culture Educational Association (KCCEA, Chairperson Shin Kyung-sook) and co-hosted by the Chin
By UN Journal Lee Jon-young President Lee Jae-myung held his first phone call with Mongolian President Ukhnaa Khurelsukh on September 4, following his inauguration. President Lee expressed his gratitude for the Mongolian President's congratulatory message upon his inauguration and for once again extending congratulations during this call. The two leaders assessed that cooperation across all fields between the two countries has significantly developed over the past 35 years since establishing diplomatic relations in 1990. They agreed to further deepen and develop the ‘strategic partnership’ bet
By UN Journal Lee Jon-young President Lee Jae-myung accepted letters of credence from seven new resident ambassadors to South Korea during a credential presentation ceremony held at the Presidential Office on Sept. 3. The credential presentation ceremony is the procedure whereby the head of state of the sending country presents the letter of credence, issued to the ambassador by their head of state, to the head of state of the receiving country. This ceremony marks the first such event held since the inauguration of the new administration. The ambassadors presenting credentials this time are a
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo On the occasion of the bicentenary of the declaration of independence of Uruguay, the Embassy of Uruguay in the Republic of Korea held a reception at Four Seasons Hotel Seoul on August 25. Delivering a speech at the gala reception, Ambassador Pablo Scheiner of Uruguay to Korea said, “In 2025, the Oriental Republic of Uruguay commemorates the 200th anniversary of its independence—a moment of profound national pride and reflection. It is an occasion to honor the women and men who shaped our nation, and to reaffirm the values that have defined our country over two centur
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo From August 5 to 8, 2025, the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) took place at the Awaza National Tourist Zone along the Caspian Sea in Turkmenistan. The Conference transformed this picturesque coastal destination into a vibrant hub of global diplomacy, as leaders from around the world gathered to chart a development path for the 32 landlocked developing countries (LLDCs). The opening ceremony, held on August 5, was a compelling display of international solidarity. His Excellency Gurbanguly Berdimuhamedov, National Leader of the
By UN Journal Lee Jon-young The first summit between South Korean President Lee Jae-myung and US President Donald Trump, held at the Oval Office of the White House on August 25 (local time), lasted about 2 hours and 20 minutes. The summit began amid tension due to Trump's sudden remarks, but soon shifted to a scene of mutual trust and humor, effectively solidifying the alliance. Prior to the summit, Trump expressed concern on his social media, comparing the political situation in South Korea to a “purge,” and even mentioned the raid on a church and allegations of information gathering at a U.S
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Gyeonggi Province Governor Kim Dong-yeon met with Chinese Ambassador to South Korea Dai Bing on August 21 and expressed his hope for President Xi Jinping's participation in APEC, saying, “I hope that this will serve as an opportunity to restore relations between South Korea and China.” On the afternoon of the same day, ahead of the anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between South Korea and China (August 24), Governor Kim met with Ambassador Dai Bing at the Gyeonggi Provincial Central Cooperation Headquarters to discuss ways to strengthen practica
By UN Journal Lee Jon-young President Lee Jae-myung, who is visiting Japan, emphasized on August 23 that “South Korea and Japan are the best partners for cooperation in various fields, such as society, culture, and the environment, in ways that are mutually beneficial and helpful.” Following his summit meeting with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba at the Prime Minister's Official Residence in Tokyo on the same day, President Lee stated during a joint press conference, “Since taking office, I have consistently emphasized that South Korea and Japan are neighbors sharing the same backyard a
By UN Journal Kayla Lee Vice Minister of Foreign Affairs Kim Jina met with Grahame Morton, Deputy Secretary for Americas and Asia Group of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Trade of New Zealand on August 19. They exchanged views on the new Korean government's foreign policy, measures to further strengthen Korea-New Zealand relations, and regional dynamics including the situation on the Korean Peninsula. Vice Minister Kim welcomed the visit of Deputy Secretary Morton and highlighted that New Zealand is Korea's longstanding friend that participated in the Korean War as well as its key like-min
By UN Journal Kayla Lee Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held his first South Korea-Indonesia foreign ministers' meeting with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono, who is visiting South Korea, and exchanged views on high-level exchanges, practical cooperation, and regional and international situations, including the Korean Peninsula, on August 21. Minister Cho welcomed Minister Sugiono's visit and expressed hope that Indonesia, as our special strategic partner, would further deepen and expand mutually beneficial cooperation between the two countries in all areas, taking the launch of the new governmen
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo North Chungcheong Province Governor Kim Young-hwan met with Joseph Yun, Chargé d’Affaires at the U.S. Embassy in Korea, on August 11 to discuss cooperation measures, including expanding exchanges in the biotechnology, semiconductor, and economic sectors. This visit was a follow-up to the North Chungcheong Province delegation's visit to the U.S. in April. The North Chungcheong Province delegation, led by Governor Kim, visited Boston and Atlanta for four nights and seven days, beginning April 14, to promote global cooperation in the advanced biotechnology industry and e
By UN Journal Kayla Lee Foreign Minister Cho Hyun met with Representatives Beth Van Duyne (R-Texas) and Richard McCormick (R-Ga.), who were visiting South Korea, on August 12. They exchanged views on topics including Korea-Texas and Georgia cooperation, the ROK-US alliance, the North Korean nuclear and North Korea issues, and regional and global affairs. Minister Cho noted that Texas and Georgia serve as hubs for Korean investment in the US and play a key role in economic cooperation between the two countries. He emphasized the significant potential of both regions in developing the ROK-US all