The Peruvian Embassy celebrated its 191st national day in Seoul on Thursday as this year marks the first anniversary since the free trade agreement between both countries went into effect.Peruvian charge d’affaires Eduardo Castaneda also noted the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties between both countries in 2013, adding that the “ties between our nations will grow stronger day by day.”He also hoped that the FTA, which went into effect on Aug. 1 last year, would increase commercial trade between

The Swiss ambassador celebrated his last national day event in Seoul on Wednesday, which fell on the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Korea.Swiss Ambassador Thomas Kupfer said that the relations between both countries are “mature and on a very friendly and solid basis” during his welcoming speech, before he moves onto his next post.Kupfer also noted Switzerland’s unique and sad historical relationship with the Korean peninsula, referring to their required presence at the Neutral Nations

Morocco celebrated its national day in Seoul on July 30 the same day as its 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Korea.Moroccan Ambassador Mohammed Chraibi welcomed ambassadors and dignitaries with a speech to commemorate the country’s relationship with Korea.“These 50 years of diplomatic relations attest outstandingly to the excellent ties that so happily exist between our two nations on the political, economic and socio-cultural levels,” said the ambassador.Chraibi also addressed the growi

Rich in natural resources and with a foreigner-friendly environment, Paraguay is rife with business opportunities for Koreans, the Paraguayan Ambassador said on Friday.Ceferino Valdez said in an interview with The Korea Herald that Paraguay also has no restrictions for foreign companies when buying land.And both governments are working to help Korean companies in Paraguay by eliminating double taxation.“The negotiation is already quite advanced and a delegation is coming to finish the matters,”

Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan hailed Friday the progress made by both South Korea and Myanmar in improving bilateral relations, saying he believes that ties with the Southeast Asian country “have been strengthened almost every day.” Kim made the remarks as he held talks with his Myanmarese counterpart Wanna Maung Lwin, who is on a four-day visit to South Korea. Following a landmark visit by South Korean President Lee Myung-bak to Myanmar in May and summit talks with President Thein Sein, how to

South Korea is pushing for a consular agreement with Beijing as part of its measures to step up protection of its citizens living overseas amid controversy over alleged torture of a North Korea human rights activist during his detention in China. The Foreign Ministry said Thursday it plans to speed up efforts for the pact to facilitate consular access to Koreans in Chinese custody. “We see the agreement as contributing to better protection of our citizens in China,” spokesman Cho Tai-young said

UNITED NATIONS (Yonhap News) ― South Korean Foreign Minister Kim Sung-hwan was selected as a high-profile international adviser Tuesday to recommend agenda for global development and prepare visions for social and environmental targets beyond 2015. U.N. Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon asked the 26-member panel to present “a bold yet practical development vision next year” to the193 U.N. member states to replace the 2015 Millennium Development Goals, the U.N.-initiated anti-poverty and sustainable

Foreign Ministry summons Japanese official over defense white paperSeoul strongly protested Tokyo’s fresh claim on Tuesday to the South Korean islets of Dokdo in its latest defense white paper. In the annual document approved by its cabinet, Japan identified the rocky islets as its territory and said the ownership issue “still remains unsolved.” The description has not been changed since 2005. The Korean government dismissed the claim as “unacceptable,” urging an immediate rectification.“We stro