Saudi Arabia highlights translation's role under 2030 Vision

Saudi Arabia underscored the role of translation, celebrating the 11th King Abdulaziz International Award for Translation in Korea on Sept. 30. Established in 2006 and headquartered in Riyadh, the award is an international biennial prize recognizing translations to and from Arabic. This year marks its 11th edition, with 226 nominations across 12 languages from 26 countries received, and over 7,127 translated works in 45 languages submitted from more than 60 countries, according to organizers. Th

Oct. 10, 2025

New Korean envoy to US pledges best efforts to address trade, other bilateral issues

South Korea's new top envoy to the United States vowed Saturday to mobilize "all embassy capacities" to help address trade and other bilateral issues with the US, as she arrived in Washington to begin her ambassadorship. Ambassador Kang Kyung-wha, who served as Seoul's foreign minister from 2017-2021, made the remarks as Seoul and Washington face a series of challenging tasks, including finalizing a trade deal, resuming diplomacy with North Korea and addressing visa issues for Korean workers. "A

Oct. 5, 2025

Turkmenistan reaffirms commitment to neutrality, lauds Seoul's support at UN

Turkmenistan reaffirmed its commitment to permanent neutrality while lauding South Korea’s support at the United Nations on Friday. The country was declared a permanently neutral state on Dec. 12, 1995, through UN General Assembly Resolution 50/80, making Turkmenistan the only country whose neutrality is officially recognized by the UN. According to the 1907 Hague Convention, neutrality is defined as a state’s impartiality in conflicts, with belligerents expected to respect this status. The reso

Oct. 1, 2025

Germany, S. Korea hope for peace on Korean Peninsula

Germany and Korea expressed hope for peace on the Korean Peninsula at an event held in Seoul last week ahead of the Day of German Unity, which is celebrated on Oct. 3. “Korea lives with the pain of division. We as Germans know this feeling. This creates a special bond between our two countries,” German Ambassador to Korea Georg Wilfried Schmidt said in his remarks at the event on Sept. 25. “In Germany, we have worked hard to live in peace together despite our differences. (The late former West G

Oct. 1, 2025

Indian Embassy to hold annual Sarang festival to boost culture exchange

The Indian Embassy in Seoul will host the 11th edition of its Sarang, the Festival of India in Korea from Oct. 14 to 23 across multiple cities in South Korea, the embassy told reporters on Monday. The word “sarang” has symbolic meaning in both countries, as it means “love” in Korean and “colorful and diverse” in Hindi. Since its launch in 2015, the festival has become a platform for showcasing India’s cultural richness through dance, drama, music, films and cuisine. One of the highlights this ye

Oct. 1, 2025

S. Korea, US reconfirm fundamental principle to avoid manipulating exchange rates

South Korea and the United States have reaffirmed a fundamental principle to avoid manipulating exchange rates and to monitor the "stability" of the foreign exchange market, Seoul's finance ministry said Wednesday. The two countries have agreed to "avoid manipulating exchange rates or the international monetary system to prevent effective balance of payments adjustment or to gain an unfair competitive advantage," the agreement released by the Ministry of Economy and Finance said. The agreement w

Oct. 1, 2025

'Viksit Bharat Run' promotes stronger India-Korea ties

The Viksit Bharat Run in Seoul on Sunday highlighted India’s vision of becoming a developed nation by 2047, while reaffirming growing ties between India and Korea. “Viksit Bharat,” which translates to “Developed India” in Hindi, is one of the Indian government’s largest global outreach campaigns. The campaign brings together overseas Indians, friends of India, and local communities — including students and professionals — to reaffirm their commitment to the vision of a developed India. The India

Oct. 1, 2025

Security adviser not optimistic about US FX swap request, hopes for trade talk compromise

National Security Adviser Wi Sung-lac said he is not optimistic about a currency swap arrangement with the United States as a safeguard for South Korea's $350 billion investment pledge, but voiced hope that Seoul and Washington could eventually reach a compromise in trade talks. Wi said Seoul and Washington are struggling to narrow differences over the investment package, which is tied to lowering US tariffs on Korean goods from 25 percent to 15 percent. "Our government has suggested a currency

Sept. 30, 2025

Lee voices hope for S. Korea, US to find 'reasonable' solution in trade talks

South Korean President Lee Jae Myung has expressed hope for Seoul and Washington to work out a "reasonable" solution to finalize a bilateral trade deal as he met foreign affairs experts in New York, the presidential office said Wednesday. Lee shared the latest developments and challenges in trade negotiations with the United States during a dinner meeting with them on the margins of the UN General Assembly, as the two countries strive to finalize details of Seoul's $350 billion investment pledge

Sept. 24, 2025

Slovakia marks Constitution Day in Seoul

Slovakia celebrated its Constitution Day in Seoul on Tuesday, highlighting its democratic values and ties with Korea. In his speech at the event, Slovak Ambassador to Korea Marek Repovsky underscored that Sept. 1, 1992, was a milestone in Slovak history. He said the Constitution’s value is evident in times of peace but becomes even more vital during periods of internal challenges. “Slovakia and Korea are not exceptions,” Repovsky noted. He also praised Korea’s strong democratic constitution, cal

Sept. 24, 2025

Saudi Arabia marks 95th National Day in Seoul

Saudi Arabia marked its 95th National Day in Seoul on Monday, celebrating the historic 1932 royal decree by King Abdulaziz bin Abdulrahman Al Saud that unified the kingdom under one name. The day has since been observed annually on Sept. 23 as a symbol of unity and pride. Delivering remarks at the event, the Saudi Arabia Embassy’s Charge d’Affaires Fahad Baraka highlighted the unification of the kingdom under King Abdulaziz and the foundations laid for modern Saudi Arabia. “The day commemorates

Sept. 24, 2025

Belgium hopes to boost projects in biotech, life sciences with S. Korea

Belgium is hoping to boost joint projects in biotechnology and life sciences with South Korea, said Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Employment, Economy and Agriculture David Clarinval during a visit to Seoul on Monday. “We come with no hidden agendas — only a sincere desire to build mutually beneficial partnerships,” he said, adding that Belgium is a trustworthy and reliable economic partner for South Korea and is committed to long-term, transparent collaboration. The commitment opens the

Sept. 22, 2025

Uzbekistan highlights Korean role in Uzbek transformation

Uzbekistan highlighted South Korea’s role in its ongoing transformation during a reception marking the country’s 34th Independence Day at the Lotte Hotel in Seoul on Friday. Uzbekistan declared independence from the Soviet Union on Aug. 31, 1991, and is now advancing its “New Uzbekistan” vision led by President Shavkat Mirziyoyev, Uzbek Ambassador to Korea Alisher Abdusalomov said in his remarks. According to the ambassador, the pillars of Uzbekistan’s development lie in reform, inclusive growth

Sept. 21, 2025

Japan's Ishiba arranging to visit Busan on Sept. 30 for talks with Lee: reports

Japan's outgoing Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba has been arranging to visit the South Korean port city of Busan on Sept. 30 for talks with President Lee Jae Myung, Japan's Kyodo News reported. Ishiba has been coordinating the visit to Busan for Sept. 30 and Oct. 1, Kyodo reported, citing multiple sources. Japan's Mainichi Shimbun has also reported, citing diplomatic sources, that Lee and Ishiba are expected to meet in Busan later this month. The Japanese newspaper reported that Lee and Ishiba wer

Sept. 19, 2025

New S. Korean ambassador to present credentials to UN chief this week

South Korea's new ambassador to the UN plans to present his credentials to UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres this week to officially start his duties, Seoul's UN mission said Thursday, as the Asian country serves as president of the UN Security Council this month. Ambassador Cha Ji-hoon, the first top envoy to the UN under President Lee Jae Myung's administration, is set to meet the UN chief of protocol on Thursday afternoon before presenting his credentials to Guterres the following day. Hi

Sept. 19, 2025