By Jon Lee The Federation of Middle Market Enterprises of Korea (FOMEK) invited Mexican Ambassador to Korea Carlos Penafiel Soto to a meeting of mid-sized businesses held at the Plaza Hotel on Aug. 18 and discussed specific support measures to resolve difficulties and support successful entry of mid-sized companies into Mexico. More than 20 people attended the meeting, including Mexican Ambassador to Korea Carlos Penafiel Soto and senior officials from mid-sized companies such as SIMPAC, Yura Corporation, Infac, Shinsung Delta Tech, Kodako, and Lee Ho-joon, full-time vice chairman of the FOMEK
By Jon Lee Ashok Kumar Byanju Shrestha, Mayor of Dhulikhel Municipality of Nepal and Chandra Prakash Gharti, Mayor of Bheri Municipality of Nepal, visited Yangsan City in Gyeongsangnam-do on Aug. 15. International cultural exchanges between Yangsan City and Nepal are opening the door, starting with the two mayors' visits to Yangsan City Council, Tongdosa Temple, and Mitaam temple. On the same day, Nepal's mayors of Dulikel and Bheri and their party members kowtowed three times at the cave hall, which is sealed inside the Mita Cave, also known as Yangsan's Seokguram (Treasure No. 998). They the
By Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee attended the 78th Liberation Day celebration held at Ewha Womans University's auditorium in Seodaemun-gu, Seoul on August 15. More than 2,000 people attended the ceremony, including patriots, independence fighters and bereaved families, major public officials and representatives from all walks of life, diplomatic corps in Korea, and citizens. The celebration was held under the theme of "Great People, Journey to Freedom," with the aim of moving toward greater freedom with great people who have made remarkable developments in v
By Jon Lee After the official closure of the 2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree, German members who visited Beopjusa Temple in Songnisan, Boeun, Chungcheongbuk-do, reportedly shaved their heads. According to Songnisan Beopjusa Temple on Aug. 14, about 40 German scout members experienced temple stay at Beopjusa Temple the previous day. German members reportedly made a temple stay reservation at Beopjusa Temple in Songnisan Mountain in February. Monk Hye-woo, head of Neungin Cultural Center, was in charge of the experience event. Monk Hye-woo explained the reason for hitting drums (beopgo) and
By Jon Lee On the occasion of the Aug. 15 Liberation Day in 2023, the government granted special pardons to 2,176 people, including scores of business tycoons and owners of small and medium-sized enterprises, special consideration prisoners. Among the beneficiaries are such conglomerate chairmen as Park Chan-koo, honorary chairman of Kumho Petrochemical Group; Lee Joong-keun, founder of Booyoung Group; and Chong Kun Dang Chairman Rhee Jang-han. The special pardons will legally take effect at the beginning of Aug. 15, the Liberation Day anniversary that commemorates the end of Japan's 1910-45 c
By Jon Young Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin, who was on a visit to Zambia from August 10 to 11, met with Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation Stanley Kasongo Kakubo on August 10. The two ministers discussed the Korea-Zambia relations, enhancing substantive cooperation, regional affairs, and cooperation in the international arena. Foreign Minister Park said that he was pleased to visit Zambia as the first Korean Foreign Minister to do so since the establishment of diplomatic relations in 1990, following the invitation from Foreign Minister Kakubo during their phone ca
By Jon lee Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin, who is visiting Ethiopia from August 8 to 10, held a meeting with Ethiopian Foreign Minister Demeke Mekonnen Hassen on August 8 and had a broad exchange of views on bilateral relations, strengthening practical cooperation, and ways to cooperate in the regional and international arenas. While celebrating the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between the two countries, the two ministers shared the view that the bilateral cooperation is strengthening in all fields, including development cooperation, economic cooperation and people-to-people
By Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol invited key UNC (United Nations Command) officials to the President's office on August 10. This meeting was designed to sympathize with the UNC's commitment to peace and stability on the Korean Peninsula and to broaden its mutual understanding of its functions and roles. In particular, it was planned based on the judgment that the role of the UNC become more important than now and the President is responsible for national security at a time when North Korea's nuclear threat is escalating. "We appreciate the efforts UNC has made for peace and stability o
By Lee Jon-young President Yoon Suk-yeol and First Lady Kim Keon-hee invited 158 independence fighters and bereaved families to the President’s Guest House for a luncheon on Aug. 9. On the 78th anniversary of Liberation Day, which falls on Aug. 15, the luncheon was prepared to put into practice the President's usual idea that "the state is responsible for sacrifices for the country to the end." The South Korean military honor guard and military band welcomed independence fighters and their bereaved families who attended the luncheon with the best protocol. Patriot Kim Young-kwan; Kim Mi, Kim K
By Jon Lee Polish President Andrzej Duda, who was scheduled to visit Korea on Aug. 9, canceled his visit to Korea, a diplomatic source said on Aug. 8. The diplomatic source said, "I know there is a change in the situation at home and abroad. President Duda's attendance at the closing ceremony of the 2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree and meetings with major domestic figures and defense entrepreneurs were all canceled." President Duda's cancellation of his visit to Korea also seems to have affected by South Korea's disruption to Jamboree and Typhoon Kanun's penetration into the Korean Peninsu
By Jon Lee LG Electronics invites consumers from around the globe to experience its latest innovations at IFA 2023 in Berlin, Germany (September 1-5). Under the theme of Sustainable Life, Joy for All, the company will introduce the LG Sustainable Village and an evolved ecosystem of efficient, convenient and sustainable products and solutions designed to help create a better life for people and the planet. During IFA 2023, visitors to LG’s booth in Hall 18 at Messe Berlin can discover the advanced, eco-minded features and functions of the company’s newest offerings and learn about its comprehen
By Jon Lee The 2023 Hangang River Festival Summer runs from Aug. 4-20 by the river and at eight surrounding parks, the Hangang Project Headquarters of the Seoul Metropolitan Government said on Aug. 1 The festival, held four times a year every season, features programs featuring appeal and enjoyment that can only be experienced by the river, the headquarters said. The theme of the summer edition is "Wise summer vacation at the Hangang River" with 24 events including those of culture and performing arts, sports and interactive programs, and leisure and relaxation. The city government aims to off
By Jon Lee Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin will visit three African countries and Dubai from August 8 to 14, Deputy Spokesperson Ahn Eun-ju of the ministry said on Aug. 3. The purposes of Foreign Minister Park’s visit to Africa are to actively seek support of Africa, where the largest number of the member states of the Bureau International des Expositions (BIE) is located, for Korea’s bid to host World Expo 2030 in Busan, and to discuss how to encourage the participation of African countries’ high-level officials in the Korea-Africa Summit scheduled for next year. Foreign Minister Park wi
By Jon Lee Regarding the 2023 Saemangeum World Scout Jamboree where heat waves are causing a series of heat-activated patients, President Yoon Suk-yeol ordered, "Add a tourism program to make it a memorable event." President Yoon, who is on vacation on Aug. 5, ordered Prime Minister Han Duck-soo and Minister of Public Administration and Security Lee Sang-min to "add a tourism program to see Korea's industry, culture, history and nature urgently," Kim Eun-hye, senior presidential secretary for public relations, said in a written briefing. President Yoon requested cooperation from cities and pro
By Jon Lee Korea’s Trade, Industry and Energy Minister Lee Chang-yang and Minister for Trade Dukgeun Ahn met with the House Committee on Ways and Means, led by Congressman Jason Smith, on July 31 in Seoul to discuss the U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (IRA), CHIPS and Science Act, energy cooperation and other Korea-U.S. industrial and trade issues. Meanwhile, Korea’s Trade, Industry and Energy Vice Minister Jang Young-jin held a briefing session on Korea-U.S. industrial technology R&D on August 1 (local time) in San Francisco and conveyed the Korean government’s stance on international cooper