World Insights

  • S. Korea, Italy agree to boost cooperation on AI and semiconductors
    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
    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
    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
  • <New Years Greetings> Building on Partnership: UK-Korea Priorities for 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
  • <New Years Greetings> Shared values for peace and prosperity - EU
    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
  • <New Years Greetings> Germanys bold infra budget invites Korean investment
    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
  • <New Years Greetings> Made-in-India drive and cooperation with South Korea-India
    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
  • <New Years Greetings> Türkiyes Foreign Policy Vision and Türkiye–Korea Relations in 2026
  • INTERVIEW: Mongolian envoy anticipates S. Koreas cooperation in key sectors including critical minerals and infrastructure
    INTERVIEW: Mongolian envoy anticipates S. Korea's cooperation in key sectors including critical minerals and infrastructure SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - The Netflix survival entertainment program, "Physical: Asia," recently concluded, became a global hit. Notably, the Mongolian team, competing neck and neck with the Korean team until the final round, demonstrated remarkable strength and resilience truly worthy of the title "Descendants of Genghis Khaan." Their outstanding performance left a deep impression on Korean viewers and strengthened people to people connection between Korea and M December 17, 2025
  • Korean calligraphy exhibition marks 60 years of immigration to Argentina
    Korean calligraphy exhibition marks 60 years of immigration to Argentina SEOUL, December 16 (AJP) - A Korean calligraphy exhibition marking the 60th anniversary of Korean immigration to Argentina opened on December 12 at the Museo Nacional de Arte Decorativo in Buenos Aires, bringing together Korean community members and Argentine officials to reflect on six decades of shared history. The opening ceremony was attended by Han Byung-gil, chairman of the Korea Council on Latin America & the Caribbean, who delivered congratulatory remarks highlighting December 16, 2025