Lee notes Brazil's Lula for sharing experiences as child laborers ahead of summit talks

President Lee Jae Myung on Monday noted that he and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva shared experiences as former child laborers, as the leaders were set to hold summit talks later in the day. "I look forward to meeting you soon. Welcome, my eternal comrade, President Lula," Lee wrote in both Korean and Portuguese on the social media platform X, just hours before their planned summit at Cheong Wa Dae. "Together with all the Korean people, I extend the warmest welcome to the state vi

Feb. 23, 2026

Lee, Brazil's Lula set for summit talks

President Lee Jae Myung and Brazilian President Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva were set to hold summit talks Monday, with the two leaders expected to discuss strengthening bilateral cooperation in a wide range of fields. Lula arrived in Seoul on Sunday for a three-day visit at the invitation of Lee, marking his first state visit to South Korea in 21 years. During the summit, the two leaders are expected to discuss cooperation in trade, investment, climate, energy, space, the defense industry, science

Feb. 23, 2026

Korean role important for Sudan and postwar recovery: envoy

South Korea's rise since the 1950-1953 Korean War is a model for Sudan, and the two countries could build a mutually beneficial partnership as the African nation rebuilds, says Sudan's ambassador to Korea. Sudan is at a critical turning point, with diplomatic peace efforts advancing even as violence continues on the ground, according to Sudanese Ambassador to Korea Amira Agarib. Sudan is at a pivotal moment, with the Kamil Idris Peace Initiative offering a Sudanese-led roadmap for a ceasefire an

Feb. 20, 2026

Indonesia screens animated film ‘Jumbo’ in Seoul

The Embassy of Indonesia in Seoul hosted a special screening of the Indonesian animated feature "Jumbo" on Thursday. Held at CGV Yongsan IPark Mall as part of Indonesia’s cultural diplomacy efforts, the screening introduced Korean audiences to the feature-length directorial debut of Ryan Adriandhy. The fantasy adventure film was co-produced by Visinema Studios, Springboard Entertainment, and Anami Films, and was produced by Anggia Kharisma and Novia Puspa Sari. The story centers on Don -- a boy

Feb. 19, 2026

S. Korea, Kuwait highlight decadeslong ties

South Korea and Kuwait highlighted more than four decades of ties at an event to mark Kuwait’s National Day on Thursday. Kuwait’s National Day, which falls on Feb. 25, commemorates the day Sheikh Abdullah Al-Salim Al-Sabah became ruler of Kuwait in 1950. Al-Sabah signed a treaty securing Kuwait’s independence from Britain. Kuwait was a British protectorate until 1961. In his remarks Ammar Maarafi, chargé d'affaires of the Kuwaiti Embassy in Seoul said that since 1979, Kuwait and South Korea have

Feb. 19, 2026

South Korea, India reaffirm push for economic security

South Korea and India on Friday reaffirmed their commitment to bolstering economic security and expanding cooperation in critical and emerging sectors. The pledge came as First Vice Foreign Minister Park Yoon-joo and India’s Secretary (East) P. Kumaran co-chaired the sixth Foreign Policy and Security Dialogue. The two sides agreed to advance the Special Strategic Partnership in 2026 through regular ministerial visits and joint meetings. Established in 2010, the dialogue serves as a channel to re

Feb. 19, 2026

Herald, AGA discuss Africa-Korea cooperation

The African Group of Ambassadors in Seoul, representing 19 African embassies, met with Herald Media Group CEO Choi Jin-young on Feb. 11 to discuss ways to strengthen cooperation between Africa and South Korea. Recalling past partnerships with African embassies, Choi emphasized the need for deeper public engagement. “Africa must be brought closer to Koreans in a meaningful way,” he said, stressing the importance of expanding people-to-people exchanges. Since 2024, The Korea Herald has published i

Feb. 19, 2026

Seoul sends working-level delegation to US for talks on potential investment projects

The government has sent a working-level delegation to Washington for discussions on South Korea's potential investment projects in the United States, Seoul officials said Thursday, after Japan confirmed its first investment projects in the US under their bilateral trade deal. The delegation, led by Vice Trade Minister Park Jung-sung, left for the US capital on Wednesday, according to the Ministry of Trade, Industry and Resources. The delegation is expected to hold talks with US Commerce Departme

Feb. 19, 2026

AKC okays ASEAN-ROK action plan

The ASEAN-Korea Center council approved the ASEAN-ROK action plan for 2026-2030 at its annual meeting in Seoul on Wednesday. The plan aims to strengthen cooperation in peace, stability, prosperity, sustainability, and regional connectivity. “2026 is expected to serve as a pivotal year for the AKC as a practical platform for the full implementation of the ASEAN-Korea Plan of Action,” said AKC Secretary General Kim Jae-shin. “The AKC will continue to pursue concrete cooperation in trade, investmen

Feb. 12, 2026

Iranian Embassy marks Iran’s Islamic Revolution Day in Seoul

The Iranian Embassy in Seoul marked Iran’s Islamic Revolution Day on Tuesday. The day commemorates the 1979 revolution that established the Islamic Republic following the overthrow of the Pahlavi dynasty, which had ruled Iran from 1925 to 1979. Iran’s ambassador to Korea, Saeed Koozechi, highlighted Tehran’s balanced and active diplomacy, noting the 63rd anniversary of Iran-Korea diplomatic ties. “Despite various challenges and the adverse influence of certain third parties, our relationship has

Feb. 12, 2026

To readers of Korean media on Serbian Statehood Day

Each year on Feb. 15, Serbia celebrates Sretenje, its Statehood Day, as a moment that resonates deeply in our national consciousness. This date commemorates the beginning of the First Serbian Uprising in 1804, a seminal event that set Serbia on the path from centuries of Ottoman rule toward autonomy in 1817, full independence in 1878 and the adoption of its first modern constitution, the Sretenjski Ustav, in 1835. Sretenje is not only a celebration of historical milestones, but also a tribute to

Feb. 12, 2026

New Egyptian envoy eyes stronger economic diplomacy with Korea

Egypt’s newly appointed Ambassador to South Korea, Hazem Zaki, aims to deepen economic and people-to-people ties with South Korea. South Korea and Egypt are fast-tracking a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement to boost trade, investment and cooperation in supply chains, digital technology and energy. Seoul views Egypt as a gateway to Europe, Africa and the Middle East, offering new opportunities for Korean firms, while President Lee Jae Myung pledged $10 million to the Red Crescent, a hu

Feb. 10, 2026

[Diplomatic Circuit] CAF, Korea ready to realize shared goals: CAF president

The Development Bank of Latin America and the Caribbean (CAF) and South Korea are ready for the realization of development objectives, according to Sergio Diaz-Granados, president of CAF. "It's not just about how long we've worked together — what stands out is the shift from isolated efforts to more structured, consistent collaboration, grounded in growing mutual understanding and institutional alignment," Diaz-Granados told The Korea Herald in a written interview, asked about the way the CAF-Ko

Feb. 9, 2026

S. Korea, Saudi Arabia sign MOU on defense research, development

South Korea and Saudi Arabia have signed a memorandum of understanding on deepening defense research and development on the occasion of a meeting of their defense ministers over the weekend, Seoul's defense ministry said Monday. The MOU was signed between the state-run defense research agencies of the two countries on the occasion of talks between Defense Minister Ahn Gyu-back and his Saudi Arabian counterpart, Khalid bin Salman Al Saud, in Riyadh on Sunday, according to the ministry. In the mee

Feb. 9, 2026

Seoul diplomat discusses security, defense cooperation with senior Spanish, Dutch officials

A senior South Korean diplomat has met with top foreign and defense officials of Spain and the Netherlands and discussed cooperation efforts in emerging security challenges and other issues, the foreign ministry said Saturday. Jeong Yeon-doo, vice minister for diplomatic strategy and intelligence, met with Maria Amparo Valcarce Garcia, Spain's secretary of state for defense, on the sidelines of an international forum on the responsible use of artificial intelligence in the military domain, known

Feb. 8, 2026