By Lee Kap-soo

(New Year Message)

Dear readers of Diplomacy Journal,

The year 2023 is coming to an end, and with it also an important year in strengthening relations between the Republic of Slovenia and the Republic of Korea.

The most important event this year was undoubtedly the official opening of the Embassy of the Republic of Slovenia to the Republic of Korea, which took place during the official visit to Korea of the Slovenian Foreign Minister and Deputy Prime Minister Tanja Fajon and the Minister of Economy, Tourism and Sports Matjaž Han.

Besides the embassy becoming fully operational, we have successfully carried out projects that promoted our culture, language, economy, as well as those that are part of Slovenian beekeeping diplomacy, such as the installation of our rooftop bee-hive and the planting of the bee-friendly trees on the east coast of Korea.

The ties between Korea and Slovenia were further strengthened with Korea taking over the chairmanship of the advisory board of the Slovenian non-governmental organization 'ITF Enhancing Human Security' and the visit of the Slovenian ITF director to Korea. Environment and human security are the most important topics, but we should not neglect the existing economic and cultural cooperation between both countries. 

Since the opening of the Slovenian Embassy in Seoul, we are devoting much of our time to promote tourism and business cooperation between the one of the most developed economies in the world and the one of logistically most important countries in Europe. We both focus on new technologies, artificial intelligence as well as green and smart innovations. 

Additionally, Slovenia and Korea were both elected as non-permanent members of the UN General Assembly, which we believe will not only strengthen our cooperation and friendship, but will also give us the opportunity to jointly seek appropriate solutions for world peace, security and stability. 

New Year Greetings:

Since the New Year is just around the corner, I wish for 2024 to be as successful as 2023 was. But most of all, dear readers, I wish you a happy, successful and peaceful New Year!