By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of Hungary in Korea hosted a reception to celebrate the National Day commemorating the Hungarian Revolution of 1956 at the Pullman Hotel in Seoul on Oct. 22, 2025. Delivering congratulatory remarks, Amb. Istvan Szerdahelyi of Hungary in Seoul said, “October 23, 1956 is one of the most significant days in Hungary's history, a day when our nation stood against dictatorship, Soviet military occupation in the fight for freedom. And the date marks more than just an important event for Hungary and it was a historical milestone that contributed to shaping the Eur
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Ahead of the Asia-Pacific Economic Cooperation (APEC) summit in Gyeongju, North Gyeongsang Province on October 31, the Donald Trump administration is replacing Joseph Yun, the U.S. Chargé d'Affaires in South Korea. Appointed by former U.S. President Joe Biden, Yun was named to the position on January 10, ten days before President Trump's term began. According to diplomatic sources, Kevin Kim, the U.S. State Department’s Deputy Assistant Secretary for East Asian and Pacific Affairs, is being considered as his successor. This marks the second time in just nine months si
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Indian Naval Ship Sahyadri, as part of ongoing operational deployment to the South China Sea and Indo-Pacific, made a port call at Busan Naval Harbour, South Korea, on Oct 13, 2025 to participate in the maiden Indian Navy (IN) – Republic of Korea Navy (RoKN) Bilateral Exercise. The RoKN extended a warm welcome underscoring the burgeoning Navy-to-Navy interactions and Strategic Partnership between the Governments of India and the Republic of Korea. Indigenously designed, constructed, and commissioned in 2012, INS Sahyadri is the third ship of the Shivalik Class Guided
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed by Shakhnoza Kodirova, Head of the Department of the Institute for Strategic and Regional Studies under the President of the Republic of Uzbekistan, to the UN Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. -- Ed. At the headquarters of the United Nations in New York, the General Debates of the 80th session of the General Assembly took place. Despite being held at a challenging time for international relations, the General Assembly remains the UN’s principal deliberative body and, in essence, the heart of globa
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo From September 20 to 28, Nami Island in Gangwon-do hosted the “Peru Week”, a cultural event featuring a variety of activities celebrating Peruvian heritage and traditions. The program was designed for both Korean and international visitors of all ages, in coordination with the Embassy of Peru in the Republic of Korea. The weeklong celebration offered visitors a chance to experience Peru’s cultural and natural heritage, featuring art exhibitions, music and dance performances, and hands-on activities. It drew thousands of Korean and international tourists who flock to N
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo The Embassy of the Dominican Republic in the Republic of Korea, together with ProDominicana, successfully hosted the “Dominican Republic–Korea Business Forum: Strategic Horizons – Exploring a Land of Opportunities for Korean Companies in the Dominican Republic.” The event brought together over 50 representatives of leading Korean companies, senior government officials, ambassadors and members of the Diplomatic Corps accredited in Seoul, media outlets, and distinguished figures from civil society. Among the distinguished participants were Mr. Lee Jooil, Director-Genera
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo Celebrating the 34th anniversary of Uzbekistan's independence and the 33rd anniversary of diplomatic relations with Korea, the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul held a reception in the Crystal Ballroom of Lotte Hotel in Seoul on Sept. 19, 2025. Delivering welcome address, Ambassador of Uzbekistan to Korea Alisher Abdusalomov, said, “The Uzbek government is boldly investing in education, healthcare, and infrastructure, empowering youth, women, and entrepreneurs to lead the future of our nation. Uzbekistan is also deepening its engagement with the world. We are building br
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo The Seoul Olympic Memorial Korea Sports Promotion Foundation (KSPO), led by Chairman Ha Hyung-joo, held a reoperation ceremony on September 16, 2025 for the fountain donated by Korea’s brother nation, Turkiye, during the 1988 Seoul Olympics. Held near the Turkiye Fountain in Olympic Park, the event was attended by Chairman Ha Hyung-joo; Ambassador Salih Murat Tamer of the Republic of Turkiye to the Republic of Korea; Songpa-gu Mayor Seo Kang-seok; Songpa Forum Chairman Hong Jae-sung; Kim Yong-jong, Superintendent General of the Songpa Police Station; Kim Na-mi, Secret
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo The head of the World Health Organization (WHO) renewed his call for a ceasefire in Gaza following two deadly Israeli air strikes on the Nasser Hospital in the southern Strip on Aug. 25, the UN News reported. At least 20 people were killed, including four health workers and five journalists, WHO Director-General Tedros Adhanom Gebreyesus said in a tweet. Fifty other people were injured, including critically ill patients who were already receiving care. “While people in Gaza are being starved, their already limited access to healthcare is being further crippled by repe
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 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 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 Lee Kap-soo The South Korea-U.S. summit will be held on August 25. The Presidential Office announced on Aug. 12, "President Lee Jae-myung will visit the U.S. from Aug. 24 to 26 at the invitation of U.S. President Donald Trump for the summit." If the summit is held on Aug. 25, President Lee will meet President Trump for the first time in 82 days since taking office. President Lee plans to hold a summit with President Trump and a working lunch. When asked whether President Lee's visit to the U.S. constitutes a state visit, the Presidential Office spokesperson Kang Yoo-jung stated,
By UN Journal Lee Kap-soo The following article was contributed to the UN Journal for publication by the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul, South Korea. –Ed. The President of Uzbekistan Shavkat Mirziyoyev will take part in the Third United Nations Conference on Landlocked Developing Countries (LLDC3) on August 5, which will be held in the Avaza tourist zone in Turkmenistan. The III Conference is organized by the UN Secretariat in cooperation with the Government of Turkmenistan. The upcoming forum is expected to be attended by heads of state and government, over 100 high-level delegations, includi