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UN members The 205th ROK-U.S. Joint Committee of the Status of Forces Agreement Joint Press Release
UNJournal Jon Lee | Representatives of the Republic of Korea and the United States of America held the 205th Status of Forces Agreement (SOFA) Joint Committee Meeting at Camp Humphreys, Pyeongtaek, on 12 December, 2025. The ROK delegation was led by Director-General Hong Jeepio, North American Affairs Bureau, the ROK Ministry of Foreign Affairs. The U.S. delegation was led by Lieutenant General David R. Iverson, Deputy Commander, United States Forces Korea. During the discussions, the two sides reaffirmed the seven decade-long ROK-U.S. partnership, recognized the importance of the ROK-U.S. SOFA as a force enabler, and committed to supporting the evolution of the ROK-U.S. Alliance into a future-oriented, comprehensive strategic alliance in the face of an evolving regional security environment. The 205th Joint Committee acknowledged 24 months of active consultations on various alliance issues such as civil-military relations, environmental management, immigration, and the protection of U.S. military installations. The ROK and the U.S. also agreed to expedite the ROK-U.S. SOFA consultations related to the relocation and return of U.S. military bases in the ROK in accordance with the ROK-U.S. SOFA and related agreements. The ROK and the U.S. representatives recognized the Noise Mitigation Subcommittee’s efforts toward the second comprehensive noise evaluation survey to assess the impact of military operations on surrounding communities and their residents. Both sides agreed that various civil-military projects serve as a strong bridge connecting the peoples of the two countries and further consolidating the ROK-U.S. Alliance. The two representatives also spoke highly of the Disease Prevention and Control Subcommittee’s collaboration on actively exchanging information and policy consultations about infectious disease prevention and control. Finally, the two representatives, emphasizing that the ROK-U.S. SOFA remains a critical component of the ROK-U.S. Alliance, agreed to continue to closely discuss issues related to SOFA.
- Jon Lee 기자
- 2025-12-19 12:19
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NGOs Instituto Cervantes in Seoul presented principal works of Guatemala's First Nobel Laureate in Literature
UNJournal Jon Lee | The Embassy of Guatemala in the Republic of Korea, in coordination with the Institute of Latin American Studies of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) and the Instituto Cervantes in Seoul, held a tribute to the Guatemalan writer and diplomat Miguel Ángel Asturias, Nobel Prize in Literature 1967, as part of the commemorative year dedicated to the laureate. The event, held on December 8 at the Instituto Cervantes in Seoul, was inaugurated by the institution’s representative, Renata Yujeong Hur, who highlighted the universal relevance of Asturias’s work and his enduring legacy within the Spanish-speaking literary tradition. The Ambassador of Guatemala, Sara Angelina Solís Castañeda, delivered opening remarks and presented a conference on the life, literary achievements, and diplomatic career of Miguel Ángel Asturias, underscoring his role as a cultural bridge between Guatemala and the world, as well as his commitment to identity, social justice, and literary creation. The Director of the Institute of Latin American Studies at HUFS, Dr. Shin Jeong-hwan (Tomás), offered remarks emphasizing the influence of the Guatemalan author on Latin American literature and the continued resonance of his work among new generations of readers in Korea. As part of the tribute, Ambassador Solís Castañeda symbolically presented the principal works of Miguel Ángel Asturias to the Cultural Affairs Officer of the Embassy of Spain, Mr. Raúl de la Rosa Machado, who accepted them on behalf of the Instituto Cervantes in Seoul. The gesture was in recognition of both institutions and their cultural cooperation. To conclude the program, attendees enjoyed an exhibition of traditional Guatemalan attire, along with a tasting of Guatemalan cuisine, offering diplomats, students, academics, and members of the Korean public an opportunity to experience the country’s cultural richness. The event was attended by ambassadors from Latin American countries, former ambassadors of the Republic of Korea, members of the Diplomatic Corps, Korean professors and students, as well as the Director of the Department of Spanish at HUFS. The Embassy of Guatemala expresses its deep appreciation to all participants for joining this tribute to the 1967 Nobel Laureate in Literature, whose work remains a benchmark of universal literature.
- Jon Lee 기자
- 2025-12-19 12:17
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South Korea Must-see: thirsty vision of artist interrupted
UNJournal Jon Lee | In her touring retrospective, artist Hyo-Chong Yoo (87) envisions putting the sorrow, resentment and longing that haunt her paintings on full display at galleries in New York, Los Angeles and Seoul, the cultural centers of her two homelands. Each piece is connected to her mother Kim Kwan-Sum, hence the title “Samogok” (思母曲). This lyric poem from Korea’s Goryeo Dynasty lauds the primacy of maternal love and is delivered by “a female figure … who, even in the face of separation from her beloved, ultimately cannot (or does not want to) let go of the thread of hope”—in the words of Professor Park Sang Young, Daegu Catholic University. Yoo Dong-Sun, Yoo’s father, instilled an appreciation for art and passed on his natural talent. One of her earliest memories is her father teaching how to grind an ink stick against stone before drawing: “He’d keep repeating, ‘Concentrate. Be serious.’” She was just a little girl eager to go out and play, but she did as told, absorbing his mindset in the process. “He was very talented, but we couldn’t give his paintings away after he got out of prison. People were afraid of his tuberculosis,” she said. Yoo remembered her father being released in 1945 when he was too weak to be a threat to Imperial Japan. He died a few months later at age 42. Teaching farmers’ wives how to read and write Hangeul script was his offense, she recalled. The clandestine night classes were held at agricultural training facilities near their home in what is now North Korea’s South Hamgyong Province. He had sold off large rice fields to fund their construction, according to a 1939 Chosun Ilbo article Yoo keeps in a scrap book. “His sentence was severe because he threw a chair at the Japanese magistrate during the hearing,” Yoo lamented, her tone reflecting love and resentment—the recurring leitmotiv of her paintings. Another early childhood memory of her father involved his periodic trips to discuss “scholarly topics for a very long time” with the Benedictine monks who had a monastery near their home. “He’d rent an ox cart, load it up with apples and vegetables and take it to them. … My sisters and I were afraid of the monks’ long beards and brown robes.” Yoo’s mother told her that her father had been torn between joining independence figures like Kim Kyu-sik, who set up a Korean government in exile in Shanghai, or Choi Rin, who remained in Korea. Eventually, he chose to stay and help develop the human resources Koreans would need to build a resilient nation. “My father knew the Japanese would be defeated,” Yoo offered when asked for any post-prison memories of him. “I remember him telling my mother that his biggest regret was not living long enough to see the Japanese go.” The Kim clan to which Yoo’s mother belonged had a long line of notable figures throughout the history of Hamgyong Province, the artist explained. Unfortunately, all of them were on the wrong side of the class divide. Once the communists began to seize control, her mother reasoned that the best way to protect her three young girls was to hire a guide to lead them into South Korea in 1946. Kim Kwan-Sum abandoned everything. “We brought only what she and I could carry on our heads. My sisters were too small. My mother stuck some of my father’s drawings in her bundle,” Yoo recalled. Relatives helped them settle in Seoul’s Ahyeon-dong, but what little they managed to bring later perished when shells dropped during the Korean War set their neighborhood on fire. From her mother, Yoo inherited a life-time of inspiration. Kim Kwan-Sum sewed and knitted clothes to keep her daughters sheltered under one roof. Following the Korean War, there wasn’t always enough food, she explained, so Yoo and her sisters would play with orphans linked to a church that also fed refugees. When the church leaders discovered that the Yoo sisters could sing, they put them in a choir that regularly performed for the U.S. Armed Forces Korea. “I felt bad [for lying about being an orphan], but I figured we were helping them raise money.” The Yoo girls grew up and earned scholarship-funded degrees. The middle sister Suk Jung went to New Jersey to study nursing, got married, had three children and brought Kim Kwan-Sum over to watch them while she worked toward a Ph.D. Hyo-Chong, the eldest, got her B.F.A. and M.F.A. from Seoul’s Ehwa Womans University in 1961 and 1966, respectively. She then took a teaching position at the Ewha-affiliated Geumran Girl’s High School because it offered the chance to study in Paris or New York for a year, all expenses paid. In 1969, Yoo’s dream came true: She was awarded the academic year abroad in Paris. She also got a call from Suk Jung: Their mother had been diagnosed with cervical cancer and given six months to live. It was now Yoo’s turn to be the primary caregiver. She quit her job, gave up on Paris and moved to New Jersey. Yoo studied hard to pass the multitude of tests needed to secure herself a student visa for America. She wanted her mother to be able to receive advanced care and stay close to her daughters and grandchildren. Kim Kwan-Sum grew stronger, the six months passed into a year … then two … then 34. She succumbed to old age in 2003 at 93. “She outlived the doctor who gave her six months,” Yoo declared proudly with a laugh, calling it one of the miracles that have punctuated her life. While helping her mother, Yoo studied at the National Academy of Design and other art schools in New York—figure painting and human anatomy under Robert Phillipp, water colors with Mario Cooper, pastel painting with Daniel Greene, figure drawing with Robert Hale. In time, her work was exhibited in America, Korea and Europe, and she began to win prizes and coveted judging slots. She secured an adjunct professor position at Upsala in East Orange, NJ, in 1978 and worked her way up to a tenured position before the college closed in 1995. Seven of her students followed her to Centenary College (now University) in nearby Hackettstown the next year. In addition to teaching, she took administrative positions related to foreign recruitment before retiring in 2019. The whole time Yoo was with her mother, she found a ready—if not always willing—model. “I couldn’t afford to pay anyone,” Yoo explained. “’Didn’t you say the models at your school get a 15-minute break?’ my mother would ask me. I’d always get her to stay still until I finished.” After her mother passed, Yoo would do still lifes in pastels to capture “the traces” of her mother—her glasses, a bed cover she had knitted for Yoo as an early wedding gift. Yoo never married but has helped raise hundreds of children. For the students whom she taught the Western techniques acquired in New York and the Oriental Brush Painting skills picked up from her father, she established a gallery on campus where they could display their work and build confidence. For the foreign students she had lured to Centenary, she designed culture and language programs as well as excursions to help them adjust and feel welcome. Seeing Korean students struggle to fit into America in the same way she had was especially motivating, she explained. Yoo says it was only later when looking at her mother’s face in her numerous portraits that she saw the suffering—the pain of losing a husband and homeland, all the aches endured while providing for her daughters’ needs. “I was concentrating so hard to paint correctly that I never stopped to really look at her expression, but I can see it all so clearly now. That’s why I want this exhibition and why the title has to be Samogok.”
- Jon Lee 기자
- 2025-12-19 12:15
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South Korea Foreign ministry holds a meeting with ROK diplomatic missions in U.S.
By UN Journal Kayla Lee The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a meeting of economic officers from all Korean diplomatic missions in the United States on October 2, chaired by Director-General for Bilateral Economic Affairs Kim Sun-young. The meeting was convened to discuss ways to address visa-related difficulties faced by Korean companies and to strengthen coordinated cooperation between the Ministry and its overseas missions, with the overarching aim of ensuring a stable investment environment in the United States. Notably, the meeting followed the inaugural session of the Korea–U.S. Business Travel and Visa Working Group held on September 30. The officers were briefed on key outcomes, including clarification of the permissible scope of activities under the B-1 visa and ESTA, as well as plans to establish a dedicated “Korean Investor Desk” at the U.S. Embassy in Seoul. This provided front-line officers with an opportunity to deepen their understanding and enhance their capacity to support Korean companies. Director-General Kim emphasized that Korea’s rapidly expanding investment in the United States naturally leads to a sharp increase in personnel exchanges, making it more important than ever to ensure a stable environment for Korean businesses and workers. She urged missions to proactively engage with local offices of U.S. immigration enforcement agencies—including Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) and Customs and Border Protection (CBP)—to establish working-level contacts, as agreed in the recent Working Group discussions, so that missions can take the initiative in supporting Korean companies. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs, together with its missions, will continue working closely with the U.S. side, including through follow-up meetings of the Korea–U.S. Business Travel and Visa Working Group, to pursue further institutional improvements. These efforts aim to provide Korean companies with a more secure investment environment in the United States and to actively alleviate their difficulties.
- Kayla Lee 기자
- 2025-10-13 16:45
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UN members The Korea-Thailand consular consultation held in Bangkok, Thailand
By UN Journal Kayla Lee Director-General for Consular Affairs and Safety Yoon Chu Sok held the 7th ROK-Thailand Consular Consultation in Bangkok with H.E. Mungkorn Pratoomkaew, Director-General of the Department of Consular Affairs of the Thai Ministry of Foreign Affairs on July 9, 2025. The two sides engaged in wide-ranging discussions on bilateral consular issues, including ▴enhancing the convenience of entry, exit, and stay for Korean nationals in Thailand, and ▴protecting Korean nationals residing in Thailand. Director-General Yoon emphasized that the bilateral relationship between the two countries, which entered into a strategic partnership in 2012, has developed in nearly every sector—including political, economic, and cultural—over the past 67 years since the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1958. He expressed his intent to further strengthen bilateral cooperation in consular affairs to deliver tangible results that benefit the citizens of both countries. Director-General Yoon noted the robust people-to-people exchanges, highlighting that the number of Korean visitors to Thailand in the previous year reached approximately 1.87 million—approaching the all-time high of 1.89 million recorded in 2019. He requested the Thai government’s continued interest and cooperation to ensure the safety and convenience of Korean nationals residing in Thailand. Director-General Yoon also expressed appreciation for Thailand’s active support in assisting the rescue of Korean nationals who were confined in neighboring countries due to employment scams earlier this year, and both sides agreed to further strengthen cooperation in cases involving Korean victims in the future. Furthermore, Director-General Yoon emphasized a need to closely collaborate in order to reduce the number of Thai nationals overstaying in Korea. Both sides shared the view that the protection and convenience of each other’s nationals through consular cooperation is of paramount importance, and that the latest consultation, held 17 months after the 6th meeting in Seoul, served as a valuable opportunity for in-depth discussions on strengthening bilateral cooperation in the consular field.
- Kayla Lee 기자
- 2025-07-11 12:04
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South Korea Dr. Shin Hee-seok appointed as member of UN HRC’s Working Group
By UN Journal Kayla Lee Dr. Shin Hee-seok, a legal analyst of the Transnational Justice Working Group (TJWG), was appointed as a member of the Working Group on Arbitrary Detention (WGAD) at the 59th session of the UN Human Rights Council (HRC) on July 8, 2025. The WGAD is one of the special procedures of the HRC and is composed of five members appointed from each of the UN’s five regional groups. The WGAD investigates cases of deprivation of liberty imposed arbitrarily or inconsistently with international human rights standards, and adopts an opinion as to the arbitrariness of the detention and presents necessary recommendations. Dr. Shin is the second Korean national to be appointed as a member of the WGAD. He is expected to contribute to the international community’s efforts for the promotion and protection of human rights, including addressing the issue of arbitrary detention. The Republic of Korea, as a member state of the HRC for the 2025-2027 term, is actively taking part in global efforts for the promotion and protection of human rights. The ROK government will continue to extend its support to competent Korean experts for their representation in the UN human rights mechanism.
- Kayla Lee 기자
- 2025-07-09 10:46
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![[Damwha Column 曇華風月] Constitutional Court of Korea's decision and judicial trust](//www.unjournal.kr/data/cache/public/photos/20250207/art_17393245069456_2949e4_178x118_c0.jpg)
South Korea [Damwha Column 曇華風月] Constitutional Court of Korea's decision and judicial trust
By UN Journal Lee Jon-young In order to maintain a just society, the law must be operated based on fairness and trust. Dasan Jeong Yak-yong (丁若鏞, 1762-1836), a Silhak scholar of the late Joseon Dynasty who studied practical matters, wrote "Heumheumsinseo欽欽新書" and sought ways to rationally enforce criminal law and prevent unjust prison cases. This was part of efforts to improve the judicial system at the time and is considered an important guideline for fair trials. In modern society, securing fairness and trust in the judicial system is an important task, and legal measures such as the revision of the Criminal Procedure Act have been taken for this purpose. The Criminal Procedure Act, revised in 2020, stipulates that the suspect interrogation record written by the prosecutor is not accepted as evidence if the suspect denies its contents. This was a measure to strengthen the suspect's right to defense and increase the fairness of the prosecution's investigation. However, the Constitutional Court of Korea recently ruled in the impeachment trial of President Yoon Suk-yeol that, unlike in criminal trials, even prosecution records denied by the parties can be accepted as evidence. This decision is considered to be in conflict with the purpose of the 2020 revision of the Criminal Procedure Act and is causing controversy. President Yoon's side criticized this as a "regressive decision" and raised the question of whether the Constitutional Court, which is an institution that must follow the Constitution, is deceiving the people and violating the Constitution. In addition, if such rulings are repeated, the people will inevitably have doubts about whether they can trust the decisions of the Constitutional Court. In particular, if a judgment lacking legal consistency is made, it could have a negative impact on the fairness and reliability of the entire judiciary. The law must develop in accordance with the needs of the times, but at the same time, it must be operated based on public trust. There are criticisms that the Constitutional Court's decision this time needs to be reexamined not only in terms of legal legitimacy but also in terms of public trust. In order for the judiciary to restore fairness and trust, rational and consistent application of the law that the public can accept is essential. The interpretation and application of the law should not vary depending on specific political situations, but should maintain universal principles and consistency in order to gain the public’s trust. The principle of fair trials emphasized by Dasan Jeong Yak-yong is still valid today. In a modern democratic society, the law should not be for the benefit of a specific group or individual, but should be a tool for the trust and realization of justice for the entire public. Deep reflection is needed on whether the recent decision of the Constitutional Court has balanced the two factors of legal legitimacy and public trust, and more careful and consistent judgment is required in the future operation of the judiciary.
- Jon Lee 기자
- 2025-02-12 10:42
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UN members Uzbekistan - Malaysia: new horizons for cooperation in tourism
UNJournal Jon Lee | The following article was contributed by Umid Shadiev, Chairman of the Tourism Committee, to Diplomacy Journal for publication through the Embassy of Uzbekistan in Seoul. -- Ed. Uzbekistan and Malaysia may be located in different parts of the world, in Central Asia and Southeast Asia, but we actively cooperate to develop in mutually beneficial ways. Tourism is a key area of our partnership. Despite the significant geographical distance between us, there is enormous potential for expanding ties in the tourism sector, which, in turn, will bring economic benefits and promote cultural exchange. Tourism plays a vital role in both countries’ economies, creating jobs, contributing to infrastructure development, and improving connections between our two nations. An important step in strengthening the tourism links between Uzbekistan and Malaysia has been the introduction of a visa-free regime for citizens of both countries, valid for up to 30 days. This has simplified travel and is a major factor in the increase in tourist flows. In 2023, 4,396 Malaysian tourists visited Uzbekistan, and in 2024, the number more than doubled to 9,464, indicating the growing interest in Uzbekistan as an attractive tourist destination for Malaysians. Another important component in this process was the appointment of Daler Yusuf as Uzbekistan's tourism brand ambassador to Malaysia in January 2019, which further strengthened our ties. Both countries have been paying great attention to strengthening the legal aspects of our tourism collaboration. In October 2023, during the 25th Session of the UNWTO General Assembly in Samarkand, a Memorandum of Understanding was signed between the Governments of Uzbekistan and Malaysia which laid solid foundations for expanding our cooperation in many areas of tourism. In 2024, a Malaysian delegation led by the Deputy Minister of Tourism, Arts, and Culture, Khairul Firdaus Akbar Khan, participated in the XII Session of the Islamic Conference of Ministers of Tourism in Khiva. This is just one example of how Malaysia and Uzbekistan are supporting each other in the international arena and implementing joint projects in tourism. The historical and cultural ties between Uzbekistan and Malaysia also positively influence our tourism cooperation. Both countries belong to the Islamic world and take great pride in our shared Islamic cultural heritage. This is an essential driver of pilgrimage tourism, which holds a special place in our hearts as well as our economies. Uzbekistan’s historic cities, such as Samarkand, Bukhara, and Khiva, were ancient centres of Islamic culture and learning. They attract pilgrims from all over the world, in particular from Malaysia. Malaysia has rich experience in organizing such tours, and thus is a priority partner for Uzbekistan. In recent years, Uzbekistan has made widespread efforts to create Muslim-friendly infrastructure, including new prayer spaces and Halal hotels and restaurants. This has contributed to growing interest of Muslim tourists — and not just Muslim pilgrims — in visiting Uzbekistan. Samarkand and Bukhara, as major spiritual and historical centres, attract both these groups with their culture, history, and hospitality. Looking back in time, I note that on February 21-23, 2019, a Malaysian delegation participated in the First International Forum on Ziyarah Tourism, held in Bukhara. This shows how long Malaysia and Uzbekistan have been supporting one another in this field. During the forum, the Mufti of the Malaysian state of Perlis, Mohd Asri Bin Zainul Abidin, was appointed as the Ambassador for Ziyarah Tourism of Uzbekistan. We are fortunate to have such a respected envoy. I want to talk now about areas with substantial potential for future development: this event is about looking forward. Ecological and educational tourism will be particularly important. Uzbekistan, with its diverse natural landscapes, including deserts, mountains, and oases, is an attractive destination for eco-tourism. Malaysia is known for its tropical forests and unique ecosystems, too. Both countries have enormous potential to attract tourists interested in nature and sustainable tourism. The joint development of this sector through exchanging experience should become a central aspect of bilateral cooperation. Educational tourism also holds great potential. Uzbekistan actively encourages academic exchange programmes, attracting students from around the world, including from Malaysia. Malaysian educational institutions can partner with Uzbek universities to implement joint educational programmes, which would further strengthen cultural ties and promote academic tourism. Direct flights between Tashkent and Kuala Lumpur play a vital role in increasing tourist flows. They provide convenience and comfort for travelers. In the future, we are planning to diversify routes and increase the frequency of flights, making trips between Uzbekistan and Malaysia even more accessible. Another promising area is the creation of twin-centre tour packages which include visits to both countries. They will be of particular interest to tourists wanting to combine a variety of cultural and natural attractions in a single trip. To successfully promote Uzbekistan’s tourism products in Malaysia we are actively collaborating with local media and influencers. In recent years, several press-tours have been organized for leading Malaysian television channels and media companies such as “Sulalatus Salatin” and “RTM Malaysia”, as well as for gastronomic bloggers. These steps help spread first-hand information about Uzbekistan's tourism potential in Malaysia. The documentary that a creative team from RTM TV made about pilgrimage tourism in Bukhara and the holy sites of the Fergana Valley has been especially popular. During the last couple of years, cultural exchanges between our countries have also intensified. In 2023, a photo exhibition titled “Uzbekistan — The Center of Islamic Civilization” was organized at the Islamic Arts Museum in Kuala Lumpur, introducing the unique cultural and historical landmarks of Uzbekistan to a wider Malaysian audience. In 2024, we presented Uzbekistan's tourism opportunities in Kuala Lumpur, as well as hosting B2B meetings for tour operators to discuss developing joint tour packages. We are committed to unlocking the full tourism potential of both Uzbekistan and Malaysia, that can be realized through joint efforts. Both countries possess a rich cultural heritage, unique natural resources, and experience in tourism development. It is important to note that both sides are actively working on expanding transport links, creating joint tourist packages, and promoting their tourism offerings in partner countries. Given the growing number of tourists, infrastructure advancement, and rising cultural ties, we are confident that tourism ties between Uzbekistan and Malaysia will only expand, bringing long-term economic and cultural benefits to both countries. In the coming years, tourism will open up new horizons for both countries and contribute to the strengthening of multifaceted bilateral ties.
- Jon Lee 기자
- 2025-02-04 10:28
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Photo UN journal. 2024,December Jpg ,유엔저널 전체보기
UNJournal Jon Lee | UN journal. 2024,December. Jpg ,유엔저널 전체보기
- Jon Lee 기자
- 2025-01-13 12:20
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Photo UN journal. 2024. November, Jpg 유엔저널 전체보기
UNJournal Jon Lee | 2024. November, UN journal. Jpg 유엔저널 전체보기
- Jon Lee 기자
- 2024-11-25 16:49
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Photo October 2024 Vol. 5. UN journal. Jpg
UNJournal Jon Lee | October 2024 Vol. 5. UN journal. Jpg
- Jon Lee 기자
- 2024-11-08 13:32
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UN members Prime Minister Han meets with Vietnamese Foreign Minister Son
By UN Journal Kayla Lee Prime Minister Han Deok-soo received Vietnamese Foreign Minister Bui Thanh Son, who is on an official visit to Korea (May 30-June 1), at Government Complex Seoul, and exchanged views on issues of mutual interest on May 31. Prime Minister Han congratulated Vietnam on the recent election of President To Lam, and emphasized the importance of strategic communication and exchanges between the two countries to further develop the comprehensive strategic partnership in all fields. Foreign Minister Son thanked Han for his hospitality and praised the high-level exchanges, including the back-to-back bilateral visits of the two leaders over the past two years, as a strong impetus for the development of bilateral relations. The two sides also expressed their willingness to work closely together to fully implement the Action Plan for the Implementation of the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership, which was agreed upon during President Yoon's state visit to Vietnam in June last year. The two sides agreed to accelerate reciprocal cooperation in line with the Comprehensive Strategic Partnership. Han asked for special attention and support to create a favorable environment for Korean businesses in Vietnam, and Son promised to keep an eye on the issue of supporting Korean business activities in Vietnam. The Prime Minister also emphasized that active people-to-people exchanges are fundamental to the development of bilateral ties, and called on Minister Son to continue to strengthen communication and cooperation to promote the safety, protection, and convenience of the people of both countries living and working in each other's countries. Han expressed his appreciation for Vietnam's support for his government's efforts to promote peace and stability in the region in its role as ASEAN-Korea Dialogue Facilitation Unit (AKFU) and asked for continued interest and cooperation. He also called on Vietnam to play an active role in helping ASEAN send a firm and united message to North Korea in response to its provocations, including the launch of military reconnaissance satellites and ballistic missiles.
- Kayla Lee 기자
- 2024-05-31 16:11
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UN members Foreign Minister Cho meets with ICG President Comfort Ero
UNJournal Kayla Lee | Minister of Foreign Affairs Cho Tae-yul met with visiting International Crisis Group on May 28 and exchanged views on the importance of the Global South, which encompasses developing countries in the Middle East, Africa, Latin America, and Asia, as well as cooperation measures, the international situation, and the situation on the Korean Peninsula and Northeast Asia. As the strategic position of the Global South is strengthening under the geopolitical transformation, including the intensifying U.S.-China strategic competition, the war in Ukraine, and the crisis in the Middle East, Minister Cho called for ICG to monitor ongoing conflicts around the world and make recommendations to key policymakers. He said that Korea will cooperate with ICG, which has expertise in Africa, to establish regional diplomatic strategies. Cho also explained that South Korea is expanding its role and contributions in line with its status as a global pivotal country, and plans to develop a win-win partnership with the Global South, especially through the Korea-Africa Summit scheduled to be held on June 4-5, by actively leveraging South Korea's strengths and capabilities based on its experience in industrialization and democratization in a short period of time. While deeply agreeing that the Global South countries are essential to resolving international issues amidst a tectonic shift in the geopolitical environment, Ero emphasized the need to work toward practical solutions to international issues such as poverty, security challenges, and international debt relief faced by many countries in the Global South. In addition, Ero praised Korea for achieving economic prosperity and political democracy based on universal values of freedom, human rights, and the rule of law, and said that they will work together to enhance Korea's status and role in the international arena, including cooperation in the Global South. Cho and Ero also exchanged views on recent developments on key diplomatic issues, including the outcome of the South Korea-Japan-China summit, bilateral relations, trilateral relations, and U.S.-China relations.
- Jon Lee 기자
- 2024-05-29 15:01
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South Korea 2024 F/W Seoul Fashion Week to be held from Feb. 1 to 5
UNJournal Jon Lee | The Seoul Metropolitan Government announced on Jan. 16 that it will hold the '2024 F/W Seoul Fashion Week' from Feb. 1 to 5, which will showcase fashion trends that will be popular this fall and winter. The Seoul Fashion Week will consist of 21 brand fashion shows (15 DDP and 6 Seongsu SFactory) and a trade show with 68 brands and 300 domestic and international buyers (100 from 14 countries). This year's fashion show will include more young brands with high potential for global growth, and the stage will be expanded to Seongsu, a 'fashion mecca,' as last year's fashion show was held only at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP). A total of 68 apparel brands, miscellaneous goods, and jewelry brands, including those participating in the fashion show, will participate in the trade show, gathering major domestic and international department stores, editorial shops, online shopping malls, showrooms, and fashion investment companies. The fashion show will be held six weeks earlier than last year. As global interest in K-fashion is growing, the organization plans to hold the fashion week ahead of the four major overseas fashion weeks (New York, Paris, Milan, and London) to increase the interest of global fashion media and big buyers. NewJeans was selected as an ambassador for Seoul Fashion Week in February last year and will continue its role this year. They will appear in seasonal posters and videos to introduce Seoul Fashion Week and K-fashion brands to 'fashion people' around the world. The poster was created in a pictorial style, with all the members of Newjeans wearing clothes from the collections of the participating brands of Seoul Fashion Week F/W 2024 (Han Na Shin, July Column, and ULKIN). The city will also organize a citizen participation event where people can experience the fashion shows of 21 brands at Seoul Fashion Week. Participants can apply on Seoul Fashion Week's official Instagram from Jan. 16 to 24, and 200 seats will be awarded through a lottery. The Seoul Fashion Week website (www.seoulfashionweek.org) will also accept applications from domestic and international buyers for the trade show until Jan. 29. "We will continue to develop Seoul Fashion Week into a global fashion business platform that trend-setting fashion people and buyers from around the world want to visit," said Kwon So-hyun, head of the Seoul Beauty and Fashion Industry Division.
- Jon Lee 기자
- 2024-01-18 09:12
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South Korea Ilhwa Co. to export 200,000 cans of ‘Mc Col' to South Africa
UNJournal Jon Lee | Ilhwa Co. announced on Dec. 29 that it has signed a supply contract to export its barley carbonated beverage 'Mc Col' to South Africa. By signing a supply agreement with Trilion Cart, a local network group with many large affiliates in South Africa, Ilhwa will officially introduce Mc Col to the African market. The supply agreement totals 200,000 cans. Mc Col is Korea's leading longevity brand, launched in 1982. It is characterized by its cool and refreshing barley flavor. It has rich nutritional ingredients such as vitamins B1, B2, and vitamin C. It is currently exported to the United States, Japan, Russia, and Australia. At the Mc Col supply contract signing ceremony held at the University of Cape Town, South Africa, Ilhwa CEO Kim Yoon-jin and Trilion Cart founder Radebe attended. The representatives of the two companies performed a toast with more than 4,000 festival attendees. "Starting with exports to South Africa, we expect Mc Col to make waves in the African market and raise the profile of K-beverages across the globe," said Kim Yoon-jin, CEO of Ilhwa.
- Jon Lee 기자
- 2024-01-03 18:20
![[Damwha Column 曇華風月] Constitutional Court of Korea's decision and judicial trust](http://www.unjournal.kr/data/cache/public/photos/20250207/art_17393245069456_2949e4_178x118_c0.jpg)
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UPDATE: 2025년 12월 19일 12시 30분