The Korea Herald

Azerbaijan honors dead from 1918 March Massacre

Apr 9, 2018

Azerbaijan mourns the death of its citizens 100 years ago in a massacre at the hands of Armenians, in what it remembers as the day of genocide, according to the Azerbaijani Embassy in Seoul. “Following the October Revolution in Russia in 1917, the Bolsheviks seized power in Baku and viewed the Armenian nationalist party of Dashnaksutyun as an ally to take control of the situation on the ground,” the diplomatic mission said. “The Baku Soviet and Dashnaksutyun Party, under the pretext of combating
Bangladesh, Korea poised to advance cooperation in high tech, energy

Apr 2, 2018

The Bangladeshi Embassy in Seoul celebrated the 47th anniversary of national independence at a reception in Seoul on March 26. The National Day commemorates the South Asian nation’s declaration of independence from Pakistan in the late hours of March 25, 1971.“On this great day, I pay my homage to the greatest Bangalee of all time, father of our nation, Bangabandhu Sheikh Majibur Rahman, whose leadership in our struggle for independence finally culminated in the emergence of Bangladesh as a nati
EU inspires, educates students at 55th diplomatic anniversary

Apr 2, 2018

The European Union delegation in Korea last week celebrated the 55th anniversary of diplomatic relations with the Republic of Korea by allowing students from Seoul’s Insoo Middle School to design the logo of the anniversary. The winning logo, designed by student Shin Ah-young, will be used at various promotional events and communications between EU and Korean diplomats throughout this year. “Diplomatic relations are not just about interaction between governments, but also cooperation between peo
[Herald Interview] ‘Career at ICRC immensely rewarding, gratifying’

Apr 2, 2018

Boris Michel, a Swiss citizen working as regional director for the Asia-Pacific region at the International Committee of the Red Cross, believes he grew up in a “privileged environment where the culture of neutrality, consensus and altruism” piqued his interest in humanitarian work.“A lawyer by training, I have learned quickly that a society without rules and principles can lead to abuse and suffering,” he told The Korea Herald last week, adding he has worked in conflict zones in Africa, Central
‘EU supports ‘critical engagement’ with NK’

Apr 2, 2018

International sanctions against North Korea for eliminating its nuclear and missile programs should not be an end in itself, but the means to force the regime to comply with the global nonproliferation regime, said a senior European Union official during an official visit to Korea last week.Helga Schmid, secretary general of the EU’s External Action Service, said the EU lends full support for the “peaceful, negotiated solution” of Pyongyang’s denuclearization, aimed at providing lasting security
UK Embassy plays soccer with NK defectors for charity

Mar 27, 2018

The British Embassy in Seoul, together with British citizens in Korea, participated in a sporting event Saturday to raise money for charity. The United Kingdom’s diplomatic missions around the world and the public take part in the Sport Relief event biannually for charities of various purposes. This year, as part of the campaign, the local embassy staff and North Korea defectors played a friendly soccer match at Seoul Foreign School with the money raised going to the Eugene Bell Foundation -- a
‘Lending ears to scholars can rationalize diplomacy’

Mar 27, 2018

Over the last week, Pradeep Taneja, who lectures on international relations at the University of Melbourne in Australia, toured Korea and witnessed its sound economy and tense security. Taneja, along with 10 scholars and researchers from Australia, visited the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Ministry of Unification, National Assembly, National Diplomatic Academy, Australian Embassy and Asan Institute for Policy Studies, among other destinations, in a program jointly organized by the Korea Founda
Costa Rican coffee gains stronger presence in Korea

Mar 27, 2018

Costa Rican coffee has secured a stronger position in the Korean market, where coffee consumption is steadily growing, according to the Costa Rican Embassy in Seoul. Various types of Costa Rican coffee will be showcased at the Coffee Expo Seoul at Coex from Apr. 5-8.Costa Rica is the host country of the global event, with several of its coffee producers and exporters participating and presenting their sustainable production methods. They will also hold coffee-making sessions and expand their net
[Herald Interview] ‘There will be no hiccups in two-way commerce after Brexit’

Mar 27, 2018

Before starting his tenure here in early March, British Ambassador Simon Smith spent six months last year learning the Korean language in Seoul. “I’ve had a lot of experience learning different languages over the last 33 years as a diplomat, and Korean was the most difficult,” he told journalists at the British Embassy in Seoul last week, adding he aims to improve his Korean to deepen his understanding of the country. “I also want to be able to read major works of Korean literature and travel an
Leaders of S. Korea, UAE agree to upgrade ties, boost economic cooperation

Mar 25, 2018

South Korean President Moon Jae-in and Crown Prince of Abu Dhabi Mohammed bin Zayed Al-Nahyan agreed Sunday to upgrade their countries' relationship to a "special strategic partnership," possibly paving the way for a boosting of their ties and economic cooperation to the level of allies.In a bilateral summit, the two leaders also reaffirmed their agreement to launch regular talks between their senior foreign and defense officials, known as the Two Plus Two Dialogue, along with a new strategic di
[Herald Interview] ‘Turkey, Korea can reap economic fruits from historic ties’

Mar 19, 2018

“The international order is changing fast, from a unipolar and bipolar one to a multipolar order. The complex nature of global challenges requires the inclusion of emerging and middle powers more than ever.”
Bulgaria touts UNESCO treasures while on Council of EU presidency

Mar 19, 2018

The Bulgarian Embassy held a photo exhibition last week that highlighted the country’s UNESCO treasures. The event, which ran from Monday to Sunday at Gangnam Tourist Information Center, featured 17 large-scale photographs by Bulgarian photographer Alexander Nishkov, showing Bulgaria’s seven historical sites and two natural heritage sites on the list of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization. “The strategic position of Bulgaria as a land at a crossroads between Euro
Ireland-Korea ties buoyed by free trade, democracy, culture: Irish minister

Mar 19, 2018

Eoghan Murphy, Irish minister for housing, planning and local government, visited Korea last week to promote Ireland as an attractive investment destination and important trade partner, coinciding with St. Patrick’s Day celebrations.“My government is committed to building a stronger and more vibrant relationship with the Asian region and Korea is a key partner for us,” he said at a reception in Seoul on March 13, in front of some 200 guests.“Our trade in both directions is growing rapidly with t
Costa Rica happiest Latin American country: report

Mar 19, 2018

Costa Rica has been ranked the happiest country in Latin America, according to the United Nations’ Happiness Report 2018. The Central American nation was 13th out of 156 countries surveyed in the report, which placed Finland at the top. The report looked at factors associated with well-being: income, healthy life expectancy, social support, freedom, trust and generosity. “Amongst the reasons why Costa Rica consistently ranks high in happiness is our historic decision to abolish the army in 1949,
[Herald Interview] ‘Zambia, land of peace, stability and investment opportunities’

Mar 12, 2018

For Zambian Ambassador to Korea Wylbur Simuusa, rectifying the mismatch between Zambia’s solid position in Africa and its obscure presence in Korea is one of his most urgent tasks. Zambia is known in Africa as a nation of peace and stability, an honest broker that has mediated numerous peace agreements and helped neighboring countries gain independence, he told The Korea Herald. It has also sheltered countless freedom fighters and refugees from bordering countries, while having no major internal