Dyota M. Marsudi, CEO of Bank Aladin Syariah, said he hopes to foster collaborations with Korean companies in the fast-growing digital banking sector. Bank Aladin Syariah is a digital banking institution under the supervision of the Financial Services Authority in Indonesia and a member of the Indonesian Deposit Insurance Corporation (LPS). Marsudi envisions digital banking as a strategic approach with a core commitment to Sharia banking principles, focusing on serving customers and enriching so

Foreign Affairs Oct. 13, 2023

Estonia and South Korea have more in common than one might realize. From historic struggles to defend their freedom to the goal of building a digitally advanced democracy, their similarities and shared values work to unite the two nations on both security and the economy, Estonian President Alar Karis, told The Korea Herald in an interview in Seoul. “More than ever, the security in the Euro-Atlantic area and the security in the Pacific region around Korea are interconnected. We understan

Politics Oct. 12, 2023

(From left) Germany Trade & Invest (GTAI) Chairwoman Julia Braune, German Ambassador-designate to South Korea Georg Schmidt, South Korean Land Minister Won Hee-ryong, Baden-Württemberg (a German state) Minister for Rural Affairs and Consumer Protection Peter Hauk pose for a photo celebrating the Day of German Unity at Grand Hyatt Seoul in Yongsan-gu, Seoul on Wednesday. (German Embassy in Seoul)

Foreign Affairs Oct. 10, 2023

Luis Noda, Asia-Pacific vice president of Habitat for Humanity International, speaks at a press conference at the Korea Press Center in Seoul on Friday. Noda urged stakeholders to take sustainable approaches to adequate housing in informal settlements. The conference was held ahead of the ninth Asia-Pacific Housing Forum 2023, to be held in Suwon, Gyeonggi Province, from Oct. 26 to 27.

Foreign Affairs Oct. 10, 2023

The Indian Embassy in Seoul is celebrating the ninth edition of the Sarang festival, a cultural event aimed at fostering people-to-people connections through cultural exchanges between India and Korea. The word "sarang" holds significant meaning for both Koreans and Indians. In Korean, "sarang" means "love," while for Indians, it represents diversity and symbolizes the vibrant colors of India. This year's Sarang festival, which kicked off Friday, has been exp

Foreign Affairs Oct. 10, 2023

The head of Denmark's city of Odense urged stronger cooperation with Korea in urban air mobility, artificial intelligence and robotics in an interview with The Korea Herald last week. Mayor Peter Rahbaek Juel was in Korea to attend the 12th biennial World Cities Summit Mayors Forum in Seoul and to step up cooperation in the new transportation method. Odense, Denmark's third-largest city, is making efforts to create an operational environment for urban air mobility and infrastructure li

Foreign Affairs Oct. 10, 2023

Oh Young-hun, the governor of Jeju special self-governing province, highlighted the island's business environment and the municipality's support measures to pursue sustainable future at a forum in Seoul on Wednesday. Speaking at the fourth edition of The Korea Herald's Global Biz Forum, Oh said Jeju had launched green hydrogen production in the island's northeastern region with an aim to usher in a zero-carbon era. "The island already operates buses powered by green hydr

Foreign Affairs Oct. 5, 2023

Adam Afriyie, a UK member of Parliament, hopes to see UK-Korean trade and economic ties advance to the next level, the lawmaker said in an interview with The Korea Herald on Friday. Afriyie touched on Korea's potential inclusion in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP), highlighting the prospect of increased economic cooperation between the two nations. The CPTPP is a major free trade pact comprising 11 Asia-Pacific countries. South Korea became a

Foreign Affairs Sept. 27, 2023

Uzbekistan and Korea agreed to boost customs cooperation in Tashkent on Friday. Uzbekistan’s customs committee chairman Akmalkhuja Mavlonov and chief of the Korea Customs Service Ko Kwang-hyo signed a protocol amending the Uzbekistan-South Korea agreement on cooperation and mutual assistance in customs. According to Uzbekistan's customs committee, the two sides agreed to solidify technical cooperation to crack down on trade crimes, develop customs administration capabilities, and oper

Foreign Affairs Sept. 26, 2023

The Greek Embassy and Corea Image Communication Institute (CICI) co-hosted a forum acknowledging the growth of social media communication as part of an initiative to strengthen cultural diplomacy at the Greek ambassador’s residence in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul, on Tuesday. The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, CICI members, the media and members of the Greek community in Korea. (CICI)

Foreign Affairs Sept. 25, 2023

The fourth edition of The Korea Herald’s Global Business Forum kicked off Wednesday at Grand Hyatt Seoul, under the theme of “Next Prosperity." The 13-week forum, held every Wednesday, is aimed at discussing strategies for shaping the future prosperity and choices of Korea. Attendees of the forum share knowledge of the international community and overseas investment opportunities to expand business networks. Attending the kick-off ceremony, outgoing Indonesian Ambassador Gandi S

People Sept. 25, 2023

Mexico's ambassador to Korea, Carlos Penafiel Soto, underlined people-to-people connections and the mutual exchange of knowledge as the linchpin of Mexico-Korea ties, marking Mexico’s 213th anniversary of independence from Spain on Wednesday. Mexico declared its independence from Spain in 1810. Noting bilateral strategic partnerships and political dialogue that were developed over six decades, Soto highlighted recent bilateral trade between Mexico and Korea that hit $30 billion in 202

Foreign Affairs Sept. 19, 2023

Honoring history and pledging to build a new future, the embassies of Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras and Nicaragua commemorated the 202nd Independence anniversary in Seoul on Friday. To commemorate the occasion, the Seoul City Hall building was illuminated in blue and white -- the colors that symbolize the common history of the region. The event was attended by the ambassadors, diplomats, and community members of the Central American countries. Costa Rica, El Salvador, Guatemala, H

Foreign Affairs Sept. 19, 2023

Alumninetzwerk Deutschland-Korea and the German Embassy in Seoul held an integrated academic conference and press day commemorating the 140th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between Korea and Germany on Monday. Under the theme "Together for another 140 years," the event discoursed on the enduring partnership between South Korea and Germany and encapsulated the spirit of unity and collaboration. The attendees included ADeKo Chairman Kim Hyo-jun, German Ambassado

Foreign Affairs Sept. 19, 2023

Indonesia is on a historic transition from a natural resource-dependent economy to a modern one by fostering manufacturing and service industries as drivers of future growth. During this ongoing transformation, political stability and regulatory reforms are poised to create a business-friendly environment, according to Moeldoko, Indonesia's chief of staff to President Joko Widodo. And the country wants Korean businesses, in particular, to be a part of its journey, he said. In an interview

Foreign Affairs Sept. 18, 2023