By Lee Jon-young October 28, 2023 will be the 78th Corrections Day. It is a statutory anniversary commemorating the reclaiming of correctional work from the Japanese Empire and the start of independent correctional administration, and is a day to encourage the hard work of correctional officials and others involved in correction and to recognize the true meaning of correction. On the occasion of the 78th Corrections Day, the Diplomacy Journal held an exclusive interview with Kim Dong-hyun, the head of the Gwangju Regional Correctional Service, about the meaning of corrections and the way forwa
By Kayla lee Jeju Special Self-Governing Province and New Zealand, which share similar climates and natural environments, have decided to expand mutual exchanges, including technical cooperation in the field of agriculture. Jeju Governor Oh Young-hoon met with New Zealand Ambassador to Korea Dawn Elizabeth Bennet at the Jeju Provincial Office on Oct. 20 to discuss ways to strengthen exchange and cooperation between the two regions. The meeting was also attended by representatives from New Zealand's kiwi cooperative and the world's largest premium kiwi brand, Zespri Korea, and officials from th
By Lee Jon Young First Lady Kim Keon-hee visited The Royal Institute of Traditional Arts (TRITA) at the invitation of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Oct. 22. The TRITA opened in 2021 with the aim of inheriting and developing Saudi Arabia's traditional culture, and operates education, training, and academic programs. Mrs. Kim expressed her delight at the cooperation between the two countries, including a workshop for Korean ceramic painters at the Royal Institute of Traditional Arts and the signing of an MOU for academic exchange with Korea National University of Traditional Culture, and expres
By Lee Jon Young President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is on a state visit to Saudi Arabia, attended the Korea-Saudi Arabia Investment Forum on Oct. 22) afternoon to evaluate the achievements of bilateral economic cooperation so far and suggest new directions for future partnerships. Noting that this year marks the 50th anniversary of the first Korean construction company to enter the Middle East with a highway project in Saudi Arabia, the President praised the hard work and passion of businessmen from both countries who have contributed to bilateral cooperation. The President said that there are great
By Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol, who is on a state visit to Saudi Arabia, held talks with His Royal Highness Mohammed bin Salman bin Abdulaziz Al Saud, Crown Prince and Prime Minister of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, at Yamama Palace in Riyadh on Oct. 22. They agreed to deepen and develop the future-oriented strategic partnership between the two countries. Prior to the meeting, an official welcome ceremony was held in the gardens of Yamama Palace to celebrate President Yoon's state visit. As the vehicle carrying the President and his wife entered the entrance of Yamama Palace, the Saud
By Lee Jon Young Chungcheongbuk-do (Chungbuk) and Vinh Phuc Province, Vietnam, celebrated the 10th anniversary of their sisterhood and 15th anniversary of their friendship at the Grand Plaza Hotel in Cheongju on Oct. 16. The event was attended by Chungcheongbuk-do Governor Kim Young-hwan and Vinh Phuc Provincial People's Committee Chairman, among others. Business exchanges were also held with companies from the province that have established a presence in Vietnam or wish to do so. The cooperation between the two provinces was initiated in 2008, when Vinh Phuc's Deputy Governor visited the prov
By Lee Jon-young Since taking office late last year, Daejeon Police Chief Chung Yong-geun has significantly increased the number of investigative officers to ensure that frontline officers are able to protect the safety of the public. Ahead of National Police Day, which falls on Oct. 21, the Diplomacy Journal had a special interview with him about his achievements, the nature of policing in Daejeon, and the recent reorganization of the police force. The following is the full-text of the special interview with Daejeon Police Chief Chung Yong-geun by Chairman-Publisher Lee Jon-young of Diplomacy
By Lee Jon Young Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin announced the launch of the 2024 Korea-Africa Summit Preparatory Commission and hosted its first meeting on October 13, 2023, in the presence of participants from 20 government agencies and other relevant organizations including the Korea-Africa Foundation. Foreign Minister Park, in his opening remarks, explained that President Yoon Suk-yeol has been engaging in high-level exchanges with African countries more actively than any other previous administrations since his inauguration in May 2022, based on his strong willingness to dramatically
By Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol hosted a dinner on Oct. 17 at the Cheong Wa Dae guesthouse with more than 90 people, including civilian and government members of the National Unity Committee (first and second terms), four leaders of the People Power Party, the presiding officers and secretaries of the National Assembly, and the secretary and chief of staff of the presidential office. The dinner was organized as a forum for informal communication and harmony among key members of the National Unity Committee, and to share the purpose, direction, and values of national unity among the Na
By Lee Jon Young Foreign Minister Park Jin visited the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76), a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier of the U.S. 5th Fleet, which arrived at Naval Base in Busan to mark the 70th anniversary of the U.S.-ROK alliance, to learn about the current status of U.S.-ROK cooperation to strengthen the joint defense posture on Oct. 15. Minister Park was guided by Fifth Fleet Commander Pat Hannifin and Commander Daryle Cardone, and received a detailed briefing on the carrier's operations, including the hangar, flight deck, and control tower. "The U.S.-ROK relationship, which celebrated its
By Lee Jon Young President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee attended the opening ceremony of the 104th Korean National Sports Festival held at the Mokpo Sports Complex on Oct. 13. The 104th edition of the National Games, which features athletes from 17 cities and provinces across the country, as well as overseas Korean athletes from around the world, was held in Jeollanam-do for the first time in 15 years since Yeosu in 2008, and will run for seven days from October 13 to 19. The 104th edition of the National Games featured overseas Korean athletes from 18 countries (Japan, the United
By Lee Jon-young The 'King's Road', which was buried in a railroad track during the Japanese occupation, has been restored after more than 100 years. The Cultural Heritage Administration held a ceremony to commemorate the 'Restoration of Gwanghwamun weoldae (stylobate) and plaque' in front of Gwanghwamun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace in Seoul on Oct. 15. With the restoration of Gwanghwamun's plaque and stylobate, Gyeongbokgung Palace and Gwanghwamun, which were demolished and damaged during the Japanese occupation, have regained their historicity, place, and symbolism after more than 100 years.
By Lee Jon Young Celebrating its 60th anniversary, Dongguk University Museum held a ceremony on October 10 at Dongguk University Museum, followed by a special exhibition titled 'Buddha in Dongguk' from the following day until December 26 at the museum's second floor special exhibition room. The Dongguk University Museum was founded on September 1, 1963, and collects, stores, and exhibits Buddhist-related archaeological and art materials in accordance with the university's founding philosophy. Since its opening, the museum has been investigating, discovering, and studying Buddhist art, informin
By Lee Jon Young First Lady Kim Keon-hee visited Cheongju Zoo in Cheongju, Chungcheongbuk-do, South Korea, to inspect various facilities and activities to promote animal welfare and to encourage officials on Oct. 5.. In April, Kim visited the Chungnam Wildlife Rescue Center to learn about the rescue, treatment, and rehabilitation of wild animals, and heard the heartbreaking story of a male lion nicknamed the "rib lion" because he was unable to eat properly a few months ago. This inspired Madam Kim, wife of President Yoon Suk-yeol, to take a deeper interest in not only pets, but also wildlife a
By Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee hosted a luncheon for more than 240 miners, nurses and nursing assistants who were dispatched to Germany in the 1960s and 1970s from Korea at the Walkerhill Hotel in Seoul on Oct. 4. This is the first time the President has hosted a luncheon exclusively for the dispatched workers, and the event reflects the President's belief that the Korean people should take care of their compatriots who have sacrificed themselves for their country. Prior to the luncheon, President and Mrs. Yoon viewed photos of the dispatched workers in Ge