Peru designates April 1 as 'Korea Friendship Day' during parliamentary visit to Seoul SEOUL, January 22 (AJP) - A delegation of Peruvian lawmakers visited Seoul last week to strengthen diplomatic ties, presenting a newly approved law that designates April 1 as "Korea Friendship Day" to recognize the contributions of the South Korean community to Peru. Congressman Víctor Seferino Flores Ruiz, president of the Peru–Korea Parliamentary Friendship League, and Congresswoman Silvia María Monteza Facho led the official visit from January 11 January 22, 2026

Seoul honors Turkish General Tahsin Yazıcı as first global war hero under new program SEOUL, January 21 (AJP) - The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs held a ceremony on Tuesday to honor Brigadier General Tahsin Yazıcı, the Korean War commander of the Turkish Brigade, as the "Korean War Hero of the Month" for January 2026. The Turkish Brigade, known by the code name "North Star" (Kuzey Yıldızı), arrived in the port city of Busan on October 17, 1950. Attached to the U.S. IX Corps, the brigade quickly earned a reputation for ferocity and re January 21, 2026

Uzbekistan president calls for results-oriented diplomatic shift SEOUL, January 20 (AJP) - Uzbek President Shavkat Mirziyoyev called for a fundamental restructuring of the country's diplomatic missions on January 15, urging ambassadors to pivot from traditional political representation to aggressive economic advocacy and the protection of citizens abroad. Speaking at an expanded meeting of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Mirziyoyev said the shifting geopolitical landscape and increasing threats to state sovereignty require a "new gene January 20, 2026

S. Korea, Italy agree to boost cooperation on AI and semiconductors SEOUL, January 19 (AJP) - South Korean President Lee Jae Myung and Italian Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni agreed on Monday to strengthen supply chain stability and industrial ties, focusing on semiconductors and artificial intelligence. During a summit at the presidential Blue House in Seoul, the two leaders oversaw the signing of three memorandums of understanding aimed at deepening cooperation in technology, disaster response, and cultural exchange. The meeting marked the first o January 19, 2026

S. Korea and Egypt sign declaration to launch economic partnership talks SEOUL, January 18 (AJP) - South Korea and Egypt have officially launched a push for a Comprehensive Economic Partnership Agreement (CEPA), aiming to establish the North African nation as a bridge for South Korean goods entering Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. South Korean Trade Minister Yeo Han-koo signed a joint declaration with his Egyptian counterpart, Hassan El Khatib, in Cairo on Sunday. The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy said the agreement formalizes the intent January 18, 2026

Kazakhstan pushes Alatau Smart City and logistics in Seoul talks SEOUL, January 16 (AJP) - The Kazakh ambassador to South Korea has met with a leading lawmaker to discuss cooperation on logistics and the Alatau Smart City project. The Embassy of Kazakhstan said Thursday that Ambassador Nurgali Arystanov met with Maeng Sung-Kyu, the chair of the National Assembly's Land, Infrastructure and Transport Committee, in Seoul on January 14. The talks focused on transport and logistics, which Kazakh President Kassym-Jomart Tokayev has identified January 16, 2026

Building on Partnership: UK-Korea Priorities for 2026 As we begin 2026, the partnership between the United Kingdom and the Republic of Korea has never been stronger. Elevated to a Global Strategic Partnership in 2023, our relationship reflects shared democratic values, a commitment to the rules-based international order and a vision for a more prosperous, secure and sustainable future. The inaugural UK-Korea High Level Forum held in Seoul in December brought together leaders from government, business and academia to chart the cour January 15, 2026

Shared values for peace and prosperity - EU EU Commission President von der Leyen highlighted EU priorities in her State of the Union Address: making Europe strong and secure, boosting our competitive edge, fostering the green and digital transition. As the international scenario becomes ever more erratic, we shall strengthen international partnerships with like-minded democracies, like Korea. Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine is now into its fourth year. It constitutes a blatant breach of international January 13, 2026

Germany's bold infra budget invites Korean investment I extend my warmest New Year’s wishes to the Korean people and readers of Aju Press. 2026 promises a year of dynamism and progress in German-Korean relations, a partnership built on shared values and a forward-looking spirit. A shining example of our cooperation is the Asia-Pacific Conference of German Business, returning to Korea in October, having last been held here in 2008. It connects German business leaders, high-ranking members of the German government, and Asia-P January 12, 2026

Made-in-India drive and cooperation with South Korea-India * AJP is pleased to share New Year's greetings from foreign envoys based in South Korea: India In the Year of Red Horse, which signifies freedom, speed and energy, I am confident that the year will bring more momentum to the India-ROK partnership and chart an even more ambitious course for our cooperation in the year ahead. In 2026, India will work even more resolutely for the vision of "Viksit Bharat" (“Developed India”) by 2047. We will focus on January 10, 2026