UNJournal Lee Sung Jun | Today, climate change stands as one of the most urgent and complex global challenges, with its negative effects being particularly acute in ecologically fragile regions under high anthropogenic pressure. One such area is the Aral Sea region, where the consequences of climate change are having a far-reaching impact on the state of natural resources, the living standards of the population, and economic activities. The desiccation of the Aral Sea has led to a sharp change in the region's microclimate, an increase in air temperature, a decrease in precipitation, intensifie
UNJournal Lee Sung Jun| The history of mankind demonstrates that great civilizations rest upon a synthesis of intellectual achievements, spiritual values and cultural heritage. Since ancient times, Central Asia has served as a pivotal hub of science, art and philosophy, shaping the foundational elements of a civilization that has influenced the entire world. Today, this profound potential is embodied in a monumental project - Center of Islamic Civilization in Tashkent. This institution does not merely preserve historical artifacts; it serves as a living platform for science, education and spir
UNJournal Lee Sung Jun| The tragedy of 6-year-old Hind Rajab, who cried out, “I’m so scared. Please come and take me,” while isolated among the corpses of her family amidst the horrors of war, left a deep shock on the entire world. The “23 minutes of silence” highlighted by the film 'The Voice of Hind Rajab' continues to resonate deeply within our society. In the Gaza Strip, another young life is waiting for a desperate rescue. Recently, as President Lee Jae-myung of South Korea emphasized international humanitarian principles regarding the situation in the West Bank, messages of support and g
UNJournal Kayla Lee | On April 22, the next Summit of the International Fund for Saving the Aral Sea (IFAS) – one of the region's prominent organizations – will take place in Astana. The upcoming meeting of the Heads of the Founding States acquires special significance, as it marks the transition of the Fund's chairmanship to Uzbekistan for 2027–2029 period. This will be our country’s third mandate, following leadership terms in 1997–1999 and 2013–2016. It is worth noting that Tashkent was at the forefront of the creation of IFAS. Yet, resuming this leadership role after a decade takes place i
UNJournal Kayla Lee | In today’s rapidly evolving scientific landscape, international collaboration has become a key driver of innovation and discovery. No single institution or country can fully address the complex challenges of modern science alone. In this context, the long-term partnership between the Astronomical Institute of the Academy of Sciences of Uzbekistan and the Silesian University in Opava (Czech Republic) stands as a strong example of how collaboration can accelerate scientific progress and foster the development of new generations of researchers. This cooperation, which has be
UNJournal Lee Sung Jun | On Friday, April 17, 2026, the Embassy of Peru in the Republic of Korea organized a tribute to Mario Vargas Llosa — Nobel Prize in Literature laureate in 2010 — on the occasion of the 90th anniversary of his birth. The event took place at the Instituto Cervantes Seoul, located in the heart of the Myeongdong district, drawing a full auditorium of diplomats, academics, local media professionals, and students from across Latin America and Korea. The evening opened with a screening of a fragment of the documentary A Personal Journey Through 'I Dedicate My Silence' — the La
UNJournal Jon Lee | In an exclusive interview conducted online between April 9 and April 15, 2026, and supplemented by an in-person meeting at the Embassy of Belarus on April 22, H.E. Mr. Andrew Chernetsky, Ambassador of the Republic of Belarus to the Republic of Korea, speaks candidly about bilateral trade, Korean economic strategy, peninsula security, the Eurasian Charter, and the state of Belarus–South Korea government dialogue. BILATERAL RELATIONS Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko held a summit in Pyongyang with DPRK Supreme Leader Kim Jong Un on March 25–26 this year. What does th
UNJournal Kayla Lee | The Ministry of National Defense's Agency for KIA Recovery and Identification (MAKRI) and the U.S. Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) have launched a joint field survey in the Gangneung and Yangyang areas of Gangwon Special Self-Governing Province, running from April 6 to May 1. The survey aims to locate wreckage and traces of U.S. military aircraft lost during the Korean War. The four-week operation serves as preparatory groundwork for a joint underwater investigation planned for August. Field teams will collect testimony from local residents, gather relevant docum
UNJournal Kayla Lee | Adopted at the conclusion of the VIII Congress of Leaders of World and Traditional Religions (September 17–18, 2025), the Astana Peace Declaration 2025 has emerged as a landmark document in contemporary interreligious diplomacy. It outlines concrete directions for international cooperation in peacebuilding, sustainable development, and intercultural dialogue. The Congress brought together over 100 delegations from around 60 countries, reaffirming Kazakhstan’s role as a global platform for dialogue among civilizations. President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev highlighted the growin
UNJournal 이성준 | An analysis of nighttime satellite illumination data indicates a strengthening of economic activity across regions and an expansion in the number of territories exhibiting urban-type development. The Center for Economic Research and Reforms (CERR) applied satellite-based nighttime lights (NTL) data to assess economic activity at the level of regions and cities in Uzbekistan. The analysis shows that higher light intensity corresponds to higher levels of economic activity and more advanced urban infrastructure. CERR’s findings demonstrate a high degree of consistency between sate
UN Journal Kayla Lee | The Embassy of Greece in Seoul hosted a formal reception on Wednesday, March 25, to commemorate Greece's National Day — the 205th anniversary of the Greek War of Independence — bringing together diplomats, government officials, and distinguished guests at the Nuri Ballroom of The Four Seasons Hotel Seoul. The event carried particular significance this year, as 2026 marks the 65th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Greece and the Republic of Korea. Greek Ambassador to Korea Loukas Tsokos delivered the keynote address, reflecting on the depth
UNJournal Dunyo IA | Navruz is considered one of the ancient and widely celebrated traditional holidays, embodying values such as humanity, kindness, generosity and diligence. This holiday holds a significant place in the culture of the peoples of Central Asia, Iran, the Caucasus, the Near East and South Asia, reflecting the continuity of centuries-old civilizational traditions. According to historical sources, the tradition of Navruz dates back at least three thousand years. Detailed information on this subject was provided by Abu Rayhan Beruni in his work “The Remaining Signs of Past Ages” (
UNJournal 이성준 | Amir Temur occupies a place in world history not only as a great commander and statesman who built a powerful and prosperous state. The great ruler turned his capital, Samarkand, into one of the cultural, architectural, scientific and spiritual centers of the world. Therefore, the study of Amir Temur's exemplary life and statecraft, the history of his reign, the study of science and culture in it, as one of the major scientific directions of historiography, has always been and remains the focus of attention of world scientists, heads of state, and politicians. Also, sources on
UN Journal Kayla Lee | The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources (MOTIR) announced on March 19 that MOTIR Minister JK (Jung-Kwan) Kim visited Beijing on March 18, 2026, and held successive Korea–China ministerial meetings on commerce and industry. Minister Kim first met with Wang Wentao, China’s Minister of Commerce, and agreed to focus on implementing the agreements reached by the two leaders and stabilizing supply chains amid rapid shifts in the global trade environment. In the event of logistics delays or raw material shortages, the two countries will immediately activate communication
UN Journal Kayla Lee | On March 18, Cheong Wa Dae released the following statement from the Presidential Special Envoy for Strategic Economic Cooperation: I will now present the results of this visit to the UAE, undertaken together with the special envoy delegation from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources, and other participating ministries. Amid the ongoing crisis in the Middle East, the delegation held discussions on ways to further strengthen trust with the UAE — a longstanding friend and key partner nation — and to explore concrete avenues for coo