Today

[Diplomatic circuit] UAE celebrates 48th National Day with positive outlook on bilateral ties

The UAE Embassy in Seoul celebrated the 48th National Day and noted that bilateral cooperation between the both countries has increased considerably in the last decade from a strategic partnership in 2009 to a special strategic partnership last year, a top Emirati diplomat in Seoul said.“With regard to the bilateral relations with the friendly Republic of Korea, the ties witnessed significant progress over the past decade. … As a result, the existing fields of cooperation have expan

Today

[Diplomatic circuit] EU envoy urges Seoul to pass revision on personal information

South Korea’s parliament should promptly pass an amendment on personal information protection to comply with EU regulations, European Union’s top diplomat in Seoul urged last week. The revised Personal Information Protection Act is one of three bills on big data regulations pending at the National Assembly.In May 2018, the EU implemented the General Data Protection Regulation stipulating stricter oversight to protection personal information of EU residents, fining companies that fail

Today

[Diplomatic circuit] Kuwait Investment authority, Citibank host forum for Korean firms

Kuwait’s state-run Kuwait Direct Investment Promotion Authority and Citibank Korea jointly held the Korea-Kuwait Investment Forum last week to offer information for companies seeking to foray into the Middle East country.“Potential and current Korean companies there received critical information about the Kuwaiti market, regulations and laws, new business opportunities and successful case studies,” an official said. The forum was a part of KDIPA’s international roadshow a

Dec 4, 2019

[Diplomatic circuit] [Meet the diplomat] Paris looks to Korea’s technology, startups for cooperation: French ambassador

Video shot and edited by Kim So-meeIn South Korea, France is known predominantly for its rich history, sophisticated culture and luxury brands. But take a deeper look into the history between the two countries, and traces of France can be found across South Korea’s core industries.In the digital era, Paris is seeking to bolster cooperation with Seoul in the field of technology and startups, the top French diplomat in Seoul said. “In France, I think we have missed the beginning of thi

Dec 2, 2019

[Diplomatic circuit] New Zealand Trade Minister emphasizes strong bilateral trade

South Korea and New Zealand have strong bilateral trade relations five years into the free trade agreement, said New Zealand Minister for Trade and Export Growth David Parker, according to the New Zealand Chamber of Commerce in Korea, also called the Kiwi Chamber. Parker delivered a keynote speech titled “Korea and New Zealand -- A Modern Partnership for Challenging Times” at the 2019 Year End Grand Hui on Nov 25. A “hui” is a traditional Maori social gathering.Parker emp

Dec 2, 2019

[Diplomatic circuit] Pacific Alliance member countries hold film festival

Pacific Alliance member countries in Seoul are set to open the first Pacific Alliance Film Festival in Seoul next week to promote their culture, society and history, embassies said Monday.The Embassies of Chile, Colombia, Mexico and Peru in collaboration with the Korea Film Archive are to hold the festival from Dec. 10-15, offering eight films across genres, including documentary, drama, comedy and suspense. The eight films are: Chilean documentary “This Is the Way I Like It II,” Col

Dec 2, 2019

[Diplomatic circuit] [Photo News] Promoting wonders of Cuneo

PROMOTING WONDERS OF CUNEO -- Italian Ambassador to South Korea Federico Failla (fourth left), Mayor of Cuneo Federico Borgna (fifth left), Assessor for Tourism for the Province of Cuneo, Piemonte Italy Luca Serale (sixth left), and Secretary General of Italian Chamber of Commerce in Korea Jacopo Giuman (first right) post for a photo at a seminar titled “Discovering the Cuneo Province,” an event aimed at promoting the northwestern province that borders France, hosted by the ITCCK at

Dec 2, 2019

[Diplomatic circuit] BCCK to host first Tax & Finance Forum 2019

The British Chamber of Commerce in Korea is to hold the first Tax & Finance Forum this week under the theme “2020 Vision: Shaping the Future of Tax & Finance,” the chamber said Monday.Sponsored by Samil PricewaterhouseCoopers, the forum is to take place Wednesday at the Four Seasons Hotel Seoul, inviting industry leaders from PwC, the Bank of Korea, and Korean law firms. “Tax and finance professionals working at multinational companies in Korea are encouraged to partici

Nov 27, 2019

[Diplomatic circuit] Argentine Embassy holds wine tasting event

The Argentine Embassy in South Korea hosted the 9th Wines of Argentina last week with an aim to promote its wine to Korean consumers, the embassy said. “Through the event we are making efforts to introduce outstanding Argentine wine in the Korean market and continue the positive trend of Korea-bound exports,” Argentine Ambassador to South Korea Alfredo Carlos Bascou said at the event.  “Argentina’s wine industry is receiving attention as an attractive option for tour

Nov 27, 2019

[Diplomatic circuit] Brazil Embassy holds photo exhibition to celebrate 60th anniversary of Korea-Brazil relations

The Brazilian Embassy in Seoul is holding a photo exhibition in commemoration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Brazil. The exhibition “Brazil and Korea Through My Eyes” displays 40 photographs of Brazil and South Korea taken by Brazilian photographer Joao Paulo Barbosa over the past 15 years. “This exhibition is a strong symbol of the bonds that fortunately unite our two cultures and peoples. It is very interesting to observe that in

Nov 19, 2019

[Diplomatic circuit][Meet the diplomat] EU ambassador highlights message ‘together we are stronger’ in East Asia

The unification of the Korean Peninsula will be made possible when neighboring East Asian countries proceed with a mutual understanding of the impact of cooperation, says the EU’s top diplomat in Seoul.“I would like to pass on the message that it is important to work together ... that’s missing in Northeast Asia,” EU Ambassador Michael Reiterer said in an interview with The Korea Herald in central Seoul last month.“If Korea, Japan and China could work together in a

Nov 18, 2019

[Diplomatic circuit] Former Indonesian foreign minister zeros in on significance of ASEAN

Former Indonesian Foreign Minister Marty Natalegawa said the Association of Southeast Asian Nations played an important role in three aspects -- relationship among member states, their international status and the economy. Natalegawa was in South Korea to launch the Korean edition of his book “Does ASEAN Matter?” last week to commemorate the 30th anniversary of ties between Seoul and ASEAN.The launch comes ahead of the special commemorative summit between South Korea and 10 ASEAN mem

Nov 18, 2019

[Diplomatic circuit] Korea Foundation, Danish Embassy open VR-incorporated exhibition

The Korea Foundation, the Embassy of Denmark in Seoul and Denmark’s Animation Workshop have opened an exhibition that incorporates virtual reality and animation in celebration of the 60th anniversary of diplomatic ties between South Korea and Denmark, organizers said.“Just in this room you can visit the island of Hawaii in 1983, and virtually experience its ecosystem. … We are looking forward to more synergies between Korean and Danish animation industries,” Danish Ambas

Nov 11, 2019

[Diplomatic circuit] Australian Embassy supports water safety education in Seoul

The Australian Embassy in Seoul said Monday it has initiated water safety campaign at Sangcheon Elementary School in northeastern Seoul last week to minimize water-related risks involving children.“The Australian Embassy is proud to collaborate with Lifesaving Society Korea to help educate young South Koreans about how to minimize risks when having fun in water,” Australian Ambassador to Korea James Choi said. “I hope this helps raise awareness of the risks and encourages all K