Koryo saram are 'living bridges' of Kazakh-Korean ties, say young leaders

Korea Herald correspondent ASTANA, Kazakhstan — In Kazakhstan’s capital, young leaders of Korean descent — known as Koryo saram — hopes to shape an identity at the intersection of heritage and modern citizenship. Their efforts are preserving Korean culture and developing Kazakhstan-Korea ties through community engagement. Among them is Park Larisa Vladimirevna, a youth leader and acting head of the Youth Assembly Representation in Astana. Appointed just two months ago, Park is the leading adviso

May 5, 2025

C5 embassies, secretariat highlight Central Asia tourism

Embassies of Central Asia (C5) and the Secretariat of the Central Asia-Republic of Korea Cooperation Forum (CARK) highlighted the tourism potential of Central Asia in Seoul on Wednesday. The "C5" countries of Central Asia refer to Kazakhstan, Kyrgyzstan, Tajikistan, Turkmenistan and Uzbekistan. The forum, launched in 2007 as a Korean initiative, serves as a dialogue platform to bolster cooperation in economic, cultural and other areas, enhance ties between Central Asian countries and Korea and p

April 28, 2025

[Contribution] Three decades of friendship: Egypt, Korea moving forward together

This year marks the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the Arab Republic of Egypt and the Republic of Korea — a significant milestone in the history of cooperation between our two friendly nations. This anniversary reflects the enduring strength of our bilateral ties, built on mutual respect, shared interests and a joint commitment to development, regional stability and international peace. This occasion highlights the strong and dynamic partnership that has be

April 28, 2025

Kazakhstan vows stronger interethnic harmony

Korea Herald correspondent ASTANA, Kazakhstan — Kazakhstan vowed stronger interethnic harmony to commemorate the 30th anniversary of the Assembly of the People of Kazakhstan on Thursday. Taking place at the Palace of Peace and Reconciliation in Kazakhstan's capital Astana, the assembly discussed the nation's statehood and societal cohesion. The APK was established on March 1, 1995, by the first President Nursultan Nazarbayev, and has evolved from an advisory body into a constitutionally recogniz

April 25, 2025

Eastar Jet launches Seoul-Almaty service

South Korean low-cost airline Eastar Jet has launched a new direct flight between Seoul and Almaty, the largest city in Kazakhstan, according to a press release from the Kazakh Embassy in Seoul. In his remarks at the route launch ceremony, Kazakh Ambassador to Korea Nurgali Arystanov said there would be 11 direct flights per week between Kazakhstan and South Korea. “The addition of two new flights by Eastar Jet creates a new aviation bridge,” said Arystanov. The ambassador noted that people-to-p

April 23, 2025

[Herald Interview] Expert urges German, S. Korean support for ICC in Trump era

In an interview with The Korea Herald, Christoph Safferling, an expert in international criminal law, urged Germany and South Korea to continue supporting the International Criminal Court amid renewed US skepticism. “The US has been skeptical toward a permanent international criminal court from the very beginning,” Safferling noted. “Sometimes the US administration has been more cooperative, sometimes it has been openly hostile. We are now again in a phase in which the US administration imposes

April 21, 2025

Kyrgyzstan Embassy holds concert to mark 33 years of diplomatic ties with S. Korea

The Kyrgyz Embassy in Seoul marked the 33rd anniversary of diplomatic ties with South Korea by holding a concert titled “Color of Asia” on Wednesday. “It is a great joy to be here with you today to celebrate the 33rd anniversary of diplomatic relations between our two countries through this meaningful cultural event,” said Kyrgyz Ambassador to Korea Aida Ismailova in her opening remarks. Recalling the establishment of diplomatic ties in 1992, she also said that Kyrgyzstan and South Korea have cu

April 21, 2025

Indonesia eyes Korean partnership in beauty, wellness

Indonesia is eyeing partnerships with Korea in the beauty and wellness sector, leveraging the upcoming Bali Wellness and Beauty Expo 2025, to be held in June. Speaking at a roadshow ahead of the expo, Zelda Wulan Kartika, charge d’affairs at the Indonesian Embassy in Seoul, noted that as of 2024, trade between the two countries reached $20.9 billion, with a 9.86 percent annual growth rate over five years. She noted that bilateral trade in goods, alongside technology transfers, extends to the bea

April 21, 2025

Time to stimulate India-Korea links through Buddhism, traditional medicine

India and Korea must stimulate deeper academic, cultural and research engagement, Heero Hito, a Buddhist leader and adviser at India's Subharti School of Buddhist Studies, said in an interview with The Korea Herald on Friday. Buddhism, born in India and deeply rooted in the cultural fabric of Korea, has not grown significantly in either nation in recent times, according to Hito. "Through active international cooperation, cross-cultural events and collective action, we must revive the teachings o

April 16, 2025

Indian Embassy, Dongguk University team up for Buddha’s Birthday

The Indian Embassy and Dongguk University commemorated Buddha’s Birthday with a lantern lighting ceremony on Thursday. Buddha’s Birthday is celebrated in Korea on the eighth day of the fourth lunar month, which this year falls on May 5. More than 500 people attended the ceremony to see the lighting of 16,000 lanterns representing Buddhist compassion, wisdom and spiritual bonds, according to the embassy, underscoring India’s deep Buddhist heritage. “In India, there is deep reverence for the teach

April 15, 2025