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
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul presided over the Fourth Overseas Nationals Protection Committee Meeting on December 9, with the participation of government members from relevant ministries and six civilian members. The Committee reviewed the implementation results of the 2024 Overseas Nationals Protection Plan, and deliberated on and approved the 2025 Plan. In addition, the Committee discussed current issues, including the protection of overseas nationals in some conflict regions of the Middle East and measures to strengthen inter-ministerial cooperation in a
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Amid heightened uncertainty in the Korean financial markets following the state of emergency, Financial Services Commission (FSC) Chairman Kim Byoung-hwan met with the British Ambassador to Korea Colin Crooks on Dec. 11 and emphasized that “the Korean government has been consistently and reliably managing the market situation by closely monitoring it and implementing proactive market stabilization measures.” “Based on our experience in keeping the financial system stable during the political upheaval in 2016, we now have more robust market stabilization mechanisms in
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Prime Minister Han Duck-soo met with the U.S. ambassador to South Korea Philip Goldberg on Dec. 9 to explain the state of affairs following the emergency martial law. According to the Prime Minister's Office on Dec. 10, Prime Minister Han met with U.S. Ambassador Philip Goldberg at the Seoul Government Complex the previous afternoon and told him that the Seoul government is “fully committed to running the country based on the Constitution and laws.” “Please actively inform the international community through various channels, including overseas diplomatic missions and
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo “After 14 years of brutal war and the fall of the dictatorial regime, today the people of Syria can seize an historic opportunity to build a stable and peaceful future,” UN Secretary-General António Guterres said on Dec. 8. As reports continued to emerge from the Syrian capital, Damascus, where opposition forces declared victory overnight on State television, the UN chief said in a statement: The future of Syria is a matter for the Syrians to determine. There is much work to be done to ensure an orderly political transition to renewed institutions, Mr. Guterres, and n
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo LG Chem and the extrusion machine manufacturer Reifenhäuser have signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), confirming further extensive cooperation on Nov. 28, 2024. The aim is to further develop and market competitive Machine Direction Oriented (MDO)-PE blown films and flat films for recyclable packaging. The partners are building on a successful track record: In May 2024, the companies had presented the world's first MDO-PE film only 18 micrometers (µm) , which had been produced on an EVO Ultra Stretch blown film line from Reifenhäuser with specially developed PE