A European prince is coming to Korea to promote marine protection in the Asia-Pacific region.Prince Albert II of Monaco will be here to host a marine protection conference at the Expo 2012 Yeosu Korea on June 4. The Monaco Blue Initiative at the EXPO Hall will bring together international experts to discuss ways to help protect marine environments in Asia and around the world.The conference is being organized by the Prince Albert II of Monaco Foundation established by the prince to safeguard the

The leaders of South Korea and Sweden agreed Wednesday to step up bilateral cooperation in trade, culture, science and green growth during their summit in Seoul, Cheong Wa Dae said. “President Lee Myung-bak and Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf acknowledged expanding trade, investment and technological collaboration between the two countries. They also agreed to develop partnerships in basic science, life science and green growth,” the presidential office said in a statement. The king and Queen Silvi

The foreign ministers of South Korea and Brazil agreed Monday to increase economic, political and scientific cooperation between the two growing economies, Seoul officials said Tuesday.Kim Sung-hwan met with Antonio Patriota in the capital Brasilia and discussed collaboration in trade, industry, scientific technology, agriculture and climate change. They also agreed to step up diplomatic cooperation in Africa and Southeast Asia. “During the talks, Kim sought measures to reinforce omnidirectional

Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf is scheduled to attend a meeting with about 300 prominent figures in culture, art and education from Korea and his country in Seoul on Wednesday, the Korea Sweden Cultural Society said. The king and Queen Silvia of Sweden will arrive here Tuesday for a four-day stay. He will be the first Swedish monarch to visit Korea. “The event will provide a chance to strengthen friendly relations and cultural cooperation between Korea and Sweden,” Lee Se-woong, president of the s

Foreign minister Kim discuss enhanced ties on 4-country tourForeign ministers from Korea and Chile have pledged to upgrade the political partnership of the two countries in line with ever-growing trade and economic cooperation, the Foreign Ministry said Sunday.During a meeting in Santiago on Friday, Kim Sung-hwan and Alfredo Moreno agreed to forge a “comprehensive cooperative partnership.” They also discussed ways to expand collaboration in resources, trade and investment, infrastructure, climat

An Argentine tango great has performed at the Yeosu Expo to mark the country’s national day and the 50th anniversary of diplomatic ties with Korea. Inaki Urlezaga performed with his company Ballet Concierto and the Hwaum Seoul Orchestra at the Expo Hall of Yeosu International Exhibition on Friday. They were joined by the Argentine bandoneonist Jorge Rutman. The bandoneon is a type of concertina that is a key instrument in most tango bands. The show titled “Aires de Buenos Aires” was choreographe

The British Embassy held a party to celebrate the Queen’s Diamond Jubilee in Seoul on Thursday. The event in the garden of British Ambassador Scott Wightman’s residence marked Queen Elizabeth II’s 60th year on the throne. The queen became head of state of Britain and six other countries upon the death of her father, King George VI, on Feb. 6, 1952, with her coronation held on June 2 of that year. Wightman, who has been in Seoul for six months, delivered part of his celebratory speech in Korean. 

African nations came together in Seoul this week to mark Africa Day. The continent’s 17 nations with diplomatic missions in Korea celebrated with an evening reception on Friday at Samsung D’light in Seocho-gu and a day of cultural events from 10 a.m.-5 p.m. Saturday The annual Africa Day celebrations mark the founding in 1963 of the Organization of African Unity, which is now called the African Union and comprised of 53 member states.Senegalese Ambassador Amadou Dabo, who is dean of the African

The U.S. Ambassador Sung Kim has said radio broadcasts to North Korea could be one way to open up the country.Speaking at a forum organized by the Far East Broadcasting Company in Seoul at Lotte Hotel on Thursday, Kim praised the Christian radio network’s “tireless efforts to promote religious freedom around the world.”“The U.S. government has a strong commitment to promoting religious freedom so it is only natural that we have great respect for FEBC’s work,” Kim said.  The broadcaster was first