By UN Journal Lee Jon-young At the G20 Summit held in Johannesburg, South Africa on Nov. 22 (local time), President Lee Jae-myung proposed, "To enhance growth potential, we must create a predictable trade and investment environment. President Lee emphasized the importance of multilateral trade, saying, "Restoring the functions of the World Trade Organization (WTO) is in our common interest." He also emphasized the importance of multilateral trade. Notably, Korea has agreed to host the G20 again in 2028, its first in 18 years since 2010. In the first session of the G20 Summit, President Lee sta
By UN Journal Lee Jon-young President Lee Jae-myung, currently on an official visit to Egypt, stated, “Korea and Egypt have agreed to jointly contribute to international peace, including on the Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East, as ‘peace promoters.’” President Lee announced the results of the summit during a joint press conference with President Abdel Fattah el-Sisi at the Egyptian Presidential Palace on Nov. 20 local time. President Lee explained, “During the talks, we held in-depth discussions on the recent situations on the Korean Peninsula and in the Middle East,” adding, “President
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo A concert of the State Classical Music Orchestra “Camerata Kazakhstan” was held in Seoul on Nov. 14 as part of cultural cooperation between Kazakhstan and the Republic of Korea. The concert program featured outstanding works such as Nurgisa Tlendiev’s “Sarzhailau”(Yellow Steppe), Shamshi Kaldayakov’s “Bärinende sen sulu” (You Are the Most Beautiful), among others. In his welcoming remarks, Ambassador of Kazakhstan Nurgali Arystanov highlighted the significance of cultural exchange as a “language without translation” that strengthens interpersonal ties and creates a pl
By UN Journal Kayla Lee | There is someone who has developed this kimchi not merely as a food item, but as a healthy dish embodying Korean culture and science. That person is Kimchi Master Kim Soon-ja, CEO of Seohan Food Co. The 40-year-old kimchi master brand, previously known as ‘Hansung Food’, has declared its full-scale leap into the global market under its new name, ‘Seohan Food Co.’ This company name change is seen not merely as a brand refresh, but as a milestone elevating the Korean kimchi industry to a new level. It builds upon CEO Kim Soon-ja's 40 years of accumulated fermentation te
By UN Journal Lee Jon-young President Lee Jae-myung stated during his summit with UAE President Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, “I hope this visit will serve as an opportunity for the cooperative relationship between Korea and the UAE to become truly broader, deeper, and more special.” President Lee made these remarks during the expanded summit meeting between South Korea and the UAE held at the Presidential Palace in Abu Dhabi, UAE, on Nov. 18 (local time). President Lee is on a state visit to the UAE from the 17th to the 19th, a two-night, three-day itinerary. President Lee remarked, “I am the
By UN Journal Lee Jon-young President Lee Jae-myung, on a Middle East and Africa tour, held a dinner meeting with Korean compatriots in Abu Dhabi on Nov. 17 (local time) to encourage Korean nationals in the United Arab Emirates (UAE). Approximately 150 people attended this meeting, including representatives of compatriot organizations, businesspeople, members of the Advisory Council for Democratic Peaceful Reunification, Korean language school officials, cultural and artistic figures, and employees of international organizations. Jang Kwang-deok, President of the Korean Association in the UAE,
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo The investment opportunities of Kazakhstan were presented at the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry on Nov. 11 within the framework of the forum “K-Global Synergistic Leap Forum – Central Asia Edition.” The event was organized by Shinhan Bank with the support from the Ministry of SMEs and Startups of the Republic of Korea, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry. The event aimed to strengthen business partnerships between the Republic of Korea and the Central Asian countries, expand trade opportunities, and promote innovative solutions. The forum served as an i
By UN Journal Kayla Lee As the biohealth industry rapidly emerges as a key future growth engine for the nation, the importance of a comprehensive support platform spanning the entire lifecycle is growing rapidly. The Osong Advanced Medical Industry Promotion Foundation (KBIOHealth), located in Osong, Chungcheongbuk-do, is Korea's only comprehensive bio support institution. It supports the entire process from research and development (R&D) through non-clinical studies, clinical trials, prototype production, quality control, licensing, commercialization, and global expansion—ensuring bio pro
By UN Journal Lee Jon-young President Lee Jae-myung departed on a trip from Nov. 17 to 26 to attend the G20 Summit in South Africa and visit three Middle Eastern countries: the UAE, Egypt, and Türkiye. National Security Advisor Wi Sung-lac announced the presidential itinerary during a briefing on Nov. 14. President Lee will pay a state visit to the United Arab Emirates (UAE) from the 17th to the 19th, followed by an official visit to Egypt from the 19th to the 21st. He will then attend the G20 Summit in South Africa from the 21st to the 23rd, before making a state visit to Türkiye from the 24t
By UN Journal Lee Gil-ju South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun held talks with Mexican Foreign Minister Juan Ramón de la Fuente on November 11 on the sidelines of the G7 Foreign Ministers’ Meeting, addressing Mexico’s proposed tariff increases, the resumption of Korea–Mexico FTA negotiations, and challenges faced by Korean companies operating in Mexico. Minister Cho welcomed the Mexican government’s recent decision to suspend its planned tariff hikes and expressed hope that Korea would be excluded should Mexico decide to move forward with the increases in the future. He emphasized that more t
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo At a press conference held at the Embassy of Guatemala in Seoul on Nov. 13, Guatemalan Ambassador to Korea Sara Solis highlighted the excellence of Guatemalan coffee and expressed hopes of attracting more Korean tourists to experience the country’s rich culture and natural beauty. The ambassador emphasized that Guatemalan coffee, grown in volcanic soil at high altitudes above 1,500 meters, offers a rich aroma and balanced acidity that perfectly suit Korean tastes. “Koreans have a deep appreciation for quality coffee, and we believe Guatemala’s beans can bring them an
By UN Journal Kayla Lee Praying for the successful hosting of the 2027 World Youth Day in Seoul, the ‘Concert of Love’ commemorating the 78th anniversary of the establishment of Jamwon-dong Cathedral of the Catholic Archdiocese of Seoul will be held on the evening of November 15 in the main sanctuary. This concert will be open to all, featuring free admission and open seating, designed as an inclusive festival for both parishioners and local residents. Amidst the gentle melodies enveloping late autumn, the parish community will share a time of faith filled with hope and love. Ahead of the 2027
By UN Journal Lee Gil-ju Foreign Minister Cho Hyun, visiting Canada to attend the G7 Foreign Ministers' Meeting, held his first bilateral meeting with British Foreign Secretary Yvette Cooper on November 11 (local time). Minister Cho congratulated Minister Cooper on her appointment (September 2025) and expressed hope to deepen practical cooperation between the two countries across various fields, including economy and trade, defense and security, and science and technology. He also expressed hope that the ongoing Korea-UK FTA improvement negotiations would be expedited, thereby further strength
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo The 16th Executive Committee meeting of the Secretariat of the Central Asia–Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum was held in Seoul, where participants discussed ways to strengthen partnerships between the countries of the region and the Republic of Korea. The meeting was attended by representatives of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of the Republic of Korea, the Forum Secretariat, and the Embassies of the Central Asian countries. The agenda covered the 2025 activities of the Secretariat and the main priorities for 2026, including preparations for the first Central Asia
By UN Journal Kayla Lee At the 80th session of the UNGA First Committee, two resolutions submitted by the Republic of Korea (ROK) were adopted on Thursday, November 6, with overwhelming support from UN Member States: “Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain and its Implications for International Peace and Security,” co-tabled by the ROK and the Netherlands, and “Youth, Disarmament and Non-proliferation,” tabled solely by the ROK, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs said. The “Artificial Intelligence in the Military Domain and its Implications for International Peace and Security” resolution