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Diplomatic Circuit In series
Interviews and stories about the diplomatic corps in Seoul.
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Diplomatic Circuit In series
Interviews and stories about the diplomatic corps in Seoul.
Would you like to subscribe?
Ruling party chair, Czech envoy assess bilateral ties
Czech envoy to South Korea Ivan Jancarek and Democratic Party leader Jung Chung-rae reviewed energy, defense, and people-to-people ties between the Czech Republic and the Republic of Korea on Tuesday. Jung recalled the recent visit to the Czech Republic by Korea’s interior minister and underlined plans to boost cooperation in disaster response, digital governance, and the energy sector, including the Dukovany nuclear project, according to the Public Affairs Bureau of the Democratic Party of Kore
Jan. 13, 2026 - 14:07:27
India marks World Hindi Day in Seoul
The Indian Embassy in South Korea celebrated World Hindi Day in Seoul on Saturday. Observed annually on January 10, the day commemorates the first World Hindi Conference held in Nagpur in 1975. Indian embassies worldwide mark the occasion to promote Hindi language awareness through lectures, cultural events and discussions. Speaking at the event, Indian Ambassador Gourangalal Das underscored the significance of Hindi, echoing Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s message on the occasion. Das ref
Jan. 12, 2026 - 13:32:41
North Korea fires ballistic missiles ahead of Seoul-Beijing summit
North Korea fired what is believed to be a number of ballistic missiles into the East Sea early Sunday, South Korea's Joint Chiefs of Staff said. The launches continued the show of force and military development it has displayed in recent weeks, but the timing has drawn assessments that Pyongyang may be sending a message to Seoul and its allies. Sunday’s missile came a day ahead of South Korea President Lee Jae Myung’s summit with Chinese President Xi Jinping, and shortly after the US took Venez
Jan. 4, 2026 - 14:19:40
Russia, North Korea exchange New Year's gifts
Maria Zakharova, spokesperson for Russia’s Foreign Ministry, said on Monday that she exchanged New Year gifts with Kim Yo-jong, the sister of North Korean leader Kim Jong-un. In a post on Telegram, Zakharova said she received Kim’s gift via North Korean Ambassador to Russia Shin Hong-chol and, in return, sent Kim a portrait of her. Zakharova said she learned only on Sunday evening that Kim had sent a gift, adding that due to difficulties in preparing a return present on short notice, she sought
Dec. 31, 2025 - 14:54:39
North Korean POWs’ transfer to S. Korea still pending
The repatriation of two North Korean prisoners of war in Ukraine remains unresolved, despite both men having expressed a desire to come to South Korea. The captured soldiers have sought to defect to South Korea for several months, but talks between South Korea and Ukraine have made little progress. The two soldiers expressed their intention to defect to South Korea in March and October, sending handwritten letters in which they called South Koreans “their biological parents and brothers” and tha
Dec. 31, 2025 - 14:04:24
N. Korea amplifies military narrative
Marking the 14th anniversary of Kim Jong-un’s appointment as Supreme Commander, North Korea is intensifying its revolutionary and military rhetoric, hailing the period as the “peak era of fortifying revolutionary armed forces.” Kim Jong-un was appointed Supreme Commander during a Workers’ Party Politburo meeting on December 30, 2011, roughly two weeks after the death of his father, Kim Jong-il. The state-run newspaper Rodong Sinmun asserted that under Kim’s leadership, the Korean People’s Army h
Dec. 30, 2025 - 14:51:21
N. Korea tests long-range cruise missiles, vows 'unlimited nuclear buildup'
North Korea's show of force is continuing, with the regime testing long-range strategic cruise missiles in the West Sea on Sunday. According to the North's state-run Korean Central News Agency on Monday, North Korean leader Kim Jong-un oversaw the launch, where he stressed the need to maintain readiness. The KCNA quoted him as saying the regime needs to "constantly test and demonstrate the reliability and rapid response of components of nuclear deterrence." He added that the regime would continu
Dec. 29, 2025 - 14:35:36
North Korean, Russian leadership hint at closer ties
North Korea and Russia appear likely to seek deepened cooperation, with top officials expressing hopes to build on developments seen this year. On Saturday, the North’s official newspaper Rodong Sinmun carried Deputy Chairman of the Security Council Dmitry Medvedev’s New Year message to North Korean leader Kim Jong-un, in which the Russian politician expressed hopes for “new possibilities” in bilateral ties with North Korea. In his message, Medvedev, a close ally of President Vladimir Putin, des
Dec. 28, 2025 - 13:44:11
Korea engagement a must for Dominican Republic, says ProDominicana chief
Engagement with Korea is a “must” for the Dominican Republic’s high-value and high-tech sectors, according to Biviana Riveiro, chief of the Dominican Republic’s export and foreign investment promotion agency, ProDominicana. In a written interview with The Korea Herald, Riveiro said Korea’s strengths closely aligned with the Dominican Republic’s strategic priorities. “Semiconductors, electronics and ICT stand out, as the Dominican Republic is implementing its National Strategy for Semiconductors
Dec. 24, 2025 - 16:57:23
UAE honors Korean artist Lee Bul
The United Arab Emirates honored Korean contemporary artist Lee Bul with the Abu Dhabi Festival Award in Seoul on Wednesday. Lee Bul received the award from UAE Ambassador to Korea Abdulla Saif Al Nuaimi during an Art @ Embassies panel, highlighting her role in cultural dialogue. “Her (Lee Bul's) interdisciplinary practice continues to inspire audiences around the globe,” said Al Nuaimi, congratulating Lee. He said the initiative “fosters cultural and educational exchange” and marks a key step i
Dec. 24, 2025 - 11:46:46
Korea-India partnership not desirable but essential: foreign minister
South Korean Foreign Minister Cho Hyun said India was an indispensable global partner in era of turbulence and strategic competition at the 24th Korea-India Strategic Dialogue held Dec. 18-19. Delivering a keynote speech at the annual gathering, Cho highlighted India’s rising strategic value due to its agenda-setting influence on regional stability and global supply chains. “Cooperation between Korea and India is not simply desirable — it is essential,” Cho stressed. “President Lee Jae Myung wil
Dec. 23, 2025 - 14:11:31
Outgoing Georgian envoy says CEPA would deepen Korea–Georgia ties beyond trade
Signing of a comprehensive economic cooperation agreement would give South Korea-Georgia trade a significant boost, and lay foundations for deeper bilateral ties, outgoing Georgian Ambassador to South Korea Tarash Papaskua said Wednesday. “Hopefully, we will be able to sign it early next year — maybe in the first quarter, as soon as the time is right,” Papaskua said during a meeting with Herald Media Group CEO Choi Jin-young. "This will be a major boost for trade,” he said. The ambassador presen
Dec. 18, 2025 - 14:00:36
Foreign embassies showcase sartorial heritage in South Korea
More than a dozen foreign embassies in South Korea came together to celebrate global cultural diversity at the inaugural World Traditional Dress Show, co-hosted by The Korea Herald, the Seoul Metropolitan Government and Yedang Media. Diplomats, models, broadcasters and cultural representatives walked the runway in traditional garments from their home countries, turning the venue into a living exhibition of world heritage. “The event provided us a valuable opportunity to share and connect our cul
Dec. 17, 2025 - 23:39:32
[Diplomatic Circuit] Qatar highlights diplomacy, projects with S. Korea
South Korea-Qatar relations are becoming stronger, building upon mutual trust and a shared desire for long-term cooperation, Qatari Ambassador to Korea Khalid bin Ebrahim Al Hamar said Monday at a ceremony marking his country's National Day in Seoul. Qatar’s National Day, observed on Dec. 18, marks the accession of Sheikh Jassim bin Mohammed bin Thani in 1878, who unified the Qatari peninsula, bordered by Saudi Arabia and surrounded by the Persian Gulf. “Qatar’s achievements are rooted in the fo
Dec. 16, 2025 - 16:20:12![[Diplomatic Circuit] Qatar highlights diplomacy, projects with S. Korea](https://wimg.heraldcorp.com/news/cms/2025/12/16/news-p.v1.20251216.48328dad79764602ac73a73f08fd42b8_T1.jpg?type=h&h=320)
Doha Forum advocates justice, action amid global crises
Korea Herald correspondent DOHA, Qatar — World leaders, diplomats and global experts renewed calls for justice through collective action at the 23rd Doha Forum, held Dec. 6–8, as mounting geopolitical, economic and humanitarian crises continue to challenge the international community. Attended by more than 6,000 participants from 150 countries, the forum reaffirmed the urgency of principled global cooperation across key areas, including economic development and trade, conflict mediation and peac
Dec. 10, 2025 - 13:49:59
