The Korea Herald Series

Latest News

Diplomatic Circuit
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
3 hour ago
Diplomatic Circuit
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 - 17:12:32
Diplomatic Circuit
[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 - 15:58:13
Diplomatic Circuit
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 - 18:21:35
Diplomatic Circuit
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 - 01:10:08
Diplomatic Circuit
[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 - 22:35:35
Diplomatic Circuit
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 - 22:35:23
Diplomatic Circuit
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 - 22:35:11
Diplomatic Circuit
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 - 16:27:19
Diplomatic Circuit
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 - 15:56:58
Diplomatic Circuit
[Bridge to Africa] Morocco-Korea cooperation essential bridge for global trade, says minister

South Korea and Morocco have steadily showed strength despite global trade uncertainties and will emerge even stronger together, said Moroccan Minister of Industry and Trade Ryad Mezzour in an interview with The Korea Herald on April 9. During his visit to Seoul, Mezzour met his South Korean counterpart Ahn Duk-geun to boost industrial cooperation and trade and to initiate talks on an economic partnership agreement. They discussed supply chains, the digital industry and investment opportunities
April 15, 2025 - 11:30:05
Diplomatic Circuit
Bangladesh marks 54th Independence Day in Seoul

The Bangladesh Embassy in Seoul commemorated the country's 54th Independence Day on Monday, honoring Bangladesh’s struggle for freedom and celebrating enduring bilateral ties with South Korea. The event served as a solemn reminder of Bangladesh’s nine-month Liberation War in 1971 and the sacrifices made by its people. Delivering remarks at the celebration, Tarazul Islam, charge d’affaires at the Bangladesh Embassy, paid homage to the valiant freedom fighters and martyrs of the war, as well as th
April 15, 2025 - 11:25:22
Diplomatic Circuit
Diplomats urge removing ICC jurisdiction limits at Seoul event

Diplomats and legal experts reviewed the Rome Statute and advocated for greater international support for the International Criminal Court, particularly in addressing crimes of aggression at the event, Conference on the Review of the ICC's Rome Statute, held in Seoul on Thursday. A conference hosted by the embassies of Germany, Estonia and Poland at the Goethe-Institut Seoul drew over 100 participants, including diplomats, students and legal professionals. In his keynote remarks, German Ambassad
April 15, 2025 - 11:20:48
Diplomatic Circuit
[Bridge to Africa] Rwanda honors 1994 genocide victims, calls for lessons from history

The Rwandan Embassy in Seoul marked the 31st anniversary of the 1994 genocide of the Tutsi with a solemn remembrance ceremony on Monday, urging the international community to learn from history to achieve peace and justice. Commemorating the "Kwibuka31" ceremony, the embassy remembered the genocide that claimed the lives of more than 1 million people in just 100 days, mostly Tutsi and moderate Hutu. Adriel Niyodusaba, representing the Rwandan community in South Korea, called the genocide “an uni
April 7, 2025 - 17:49:26
Diplomatic Circuit
Peru Embassy holds photo exhibition in Seoul

The Embassy of Peru in South Korea is showcasing an exhibition titled “A Sombre Aspect” at the Korea Foundation Gallery from March 27 to May 16. The exhibition features the works of Peruvian photographer and artist Roberto Huarcaya, known for his large-scale photograms and innovative approach to visual storytelling. Among the works on display are “Band of Musicians from Coyllurqui,” “Yawar Fiesta,” “Eucalyptus Forest,” “Flying Dancers” and “Scissors Dance Children,” which give an insight into Pe
April 7, 2025 - 17:26:33