EMBASSY LINE

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued travel warnings for several Tunisian cities, including its capital Tunis, on March 25, days after a terrorist attack claimed 21 lives.

It advised Korean nationals not to travel to cities around the capital and the surrounding coastal region by raising its travel warning level. The affected areas include Bizerte, Sousse, Monastir, Mahdia and Sfax.

The deadly terrorist attack killed 21 tourists, mostly Europeans and four Japanese nationals at the Bardo National Museum in Tunis on March 18.

The militant group Islamic State claimed responsibility for the attack.

Earlier, the foreign ministry issued a statement condemning the terrorist attack and expressing sympathy to the victims and their families.

This Mongolian nomad photo taken by Ganuzii Gongchig is one of some 70 images on display under the title of “Wind from the Steppes” at the Korea Foundation (KF) Gallery in Seoul on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of Korea-Mongolia diplomatic relations. / Courtesy of KF

Joint committee with Korea launched

Korean and Mongolian officials met in Ulan Bator on March 26 to discuss ways to upgrade bilateral relations on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations.

This is the first time that the two sides had a joint committee meeting where officials from several cabinet ministries met to discuss issues of mutual interest.

Vice Foreign Minister Cho Tae-yeol led the Korean delegation and was joined by the Mongolian Transport Minister Namkhai Tumurkhuu.

The two sides agreed to diversify bilateral relations on political, economic, social and cultural affairs. Before this, bilateral relations were focused on economic cooperation, trade and labor migration.

Mongolia is one of the countries that has sent workers to Korea and many of these workers have helped ease labor shortages in the manufacturing sector.

Officials of the two countries discussed ways to improve air quality, prevent the desertification of Mongolia and tackle other environmental problems.

The Korean government sees Mongolia as a close partner that can help President Park Geun-hye’s vision for a peaceful East Asia and the so-called Eurasia Initiative.

Mongolia, meanwhile, seeks to attract more Korean investment for infrastructure and natural resources projects.

Korea, Poland to boost defense ties

Korea and Poland agreed to bolster cooperation in the defense industry at a joint economic committee meeting in Seoul on March 23. Polish deputy economic minister Andrzej Dycha led the Polish delegation.

The two sides exchanged ideas to deepen economic relations through the high-level meeting, according to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. They expressed satisfaction about an increase in bilateral trade and investment after the Korea-European Union free trade agreement took effect and agreed to expand close cooperation into infrastructural building, energy, healthcare and defense.

Korea requested the Polish government to cut corporate tax for Korean investors and improve the business climate. It also put forth that Poland take measures to conclude agreements on the working holiday program and drivers’ licenses to facilitate people-to-people exchanges.

Poland responded positively to the requests.

It is a popular investment location in Europe for Korean companies due to its strategic location and quality workforce.

Bilateral trade hit $4.62 billion last year, an increase of more than 60 percent compared with the figure in 1989 when the two sides established diplomatic relations.

‘Pocket Revolutions’ exhibition to open

An exhibition of books, photos and videos related to Romania’s turbulent modern history, before and after the 1989 revolution, will be held April 3-18 at the Korea Foundation Gallery in Seoul.

Under the title of “Pocket Revolutions: Romanian Contemporary Art,” nine renowned Romanian artists will present their works. They include Irina Botea and award-winning photographer Dana Popa.

“The showcase provides a unique opportunity for the public to understand how those contemporary Romanian artists interpreted the past and present of their country in the context of global politics and culture; how they visualized those changes and communicated with the public,” the foundation said in a press release.

Their works reflect the rapid changes in Romanian society and the political landscape before and after the Romanian revolution, which ended the decades-long dictatorship of Nicolae Ceausescu.

The revolution began in Timisoara and then spread to other Romanian cities. The execution of Ceausescu ended the 49-year communist rule of the country.