Envoys send season’s greetings
EU Ambassador Ugo Astuto
As we welcome the new year, I am pleased to extend my warmest greetings to all readers of the Korea Times on behalf of the European Union Delegation to the Republic of Korea.
EU Ambassador Ugo Astuto / Courtesy of EU Delegation Office in Seoul
Korea and the EU enjoy a strong strategic partnership, grounded in shared values. We believe in democracy and respect for human rights. Together, we support a cooperative approach to international relations, multilateralism and the rules-based system of international governance. This is particularly crucial now, as we face the continuing Russian war of aggression against Ukraine and renewed challenges to the UN Charter.
With Korea, a trusted partner and friend, the EU will continue to advance cooperation across the board —from the green and digital transition to trade, security and the fight against climate change.
Our shared values will guide our actions in the year ahead as we work to build a more secure, peaceful and prosperous world.
Best wishes!
French Ambassador Philippe Bertoux / Courtesy of Embassy of France in Seoul
French Ambassador Philippe Bertoux
On the occasion of the New Year, I would like to extend my warmest and most sincere wishes to the Korean people and the French community in Korea. More than ever, our dialogue and cooperation are flourishing. President Macron recently unveiled a new strategic vision for France in the Indo-Pacific region, in which the Republic of Korea plays a vital and growing role. Our two presidents have met twice this year and have committed to meeting again next year.
Since 1886, France and the Republic of Korea have maintained a forward-looking strategic partnership. 2026 will be an exceptional year, a year of celebrations marking 140 years of diplomatic relations, a year of creativity, opportunities and solidarity. The French Embassy in Seoul and the Korean Embassy in Paris have prepared a rich program of events in Korea and France, promising many wonderful surprises. This program will cover all dimensions of our bilateral relationship, from political to military, economic to commercial, scientific to technological, cultural to educational, and from sporting to tourism.
Finally, I would like to share with you one of my wishes for 2026: that the French community in Korea continues to grow, whether visitors or residents, because it is through human exchange that we learn to know and appreciate one another. France loves Korea. Korea loves France. Let's make the most of it! I wish everyone success, happiness, and good health for 2026!
Indian Ambassador Gourangalal Das
"As we bid farewell to 2025, I extend New Year greetings to The Korea Times family.
Indian Ambassador Gourangalal Das / Courtesy of Embassy of India in Seoul
The Korea Times has helped bridge the international readers’ understanding and appreciation of Korea for over seven glorious decades. Its insightful reporting, analysis and opinions not only provide a wealth of information about Korea but also hold important and interesting clues every day for diplomats like me to decipher Korea’s rich heritage and vibrant culture.
As we enter 2026, I am optimistic that a fresh chapter will be written in the annals of the India-Korea bilateral relationship in the new year. I hope that The Korea Times will remain an important partner for my embassy in chronicling this exciting journey.
May New Year 2026 bring joy, good health and prosperity to all. Happy New Year! "
Italian Ambassador Emilia Gatto
On behalf of the Embassy of Italy in Seoul, I extend my warmest wishes for a Happy New Year to the readers of The Korea Times.
The year ahead will mark the 142nd anniversary of diplomatic relations between Italy and Korea, established in 1884 as a testament to our enduring friendship and mutual respect.
Italian Ambassador Emilia Gatto / Courtesy of Embassy of Italy in Seoul
As more Italians are captivated by Korea and more Koreans discover the charm of Italy, our mutual understanding, exchanges and partnerships continue to flourish with great promise for the future, also within the framework of increasingly successful bilateral territorial diplomacy, as 2025 alone has in fact witnessed numerous partnerships and exchanges between Italian and Korean cities, including Parma and Chuncheon, Andria and Andong, Agrigento and Gyeongju, Cremona and Goryeong, and Gorizia and Goseong, among many others.
Culture stands as a powerful bridge in our relationship: through art, music, cinema, design, cuisine and cultural heritage, our two countries engage in a vibrant dialogue that transcends borders and generations. Building on the success of the Italy-Korea Year of Cultural Exchange (2024–2025), we look forward to further enriching this dialogue, fostering creativity, and strengthening ties between our artists, institutions, students and cultural professionals.
At the same time, following the successful Korea-Italy Business Forum held last September, we look forward to deepening collaboration across all fields, from culture and innovation to business and beyond. May the coming year bring new opportunities to further strengthen our economic cooperation, leveraging the natural complementarities between our two economies and enhancing partnerships in high-tech and innovation-driven industries, sectors that are vital to the competitiveness and long-term prosperity of both countries.
In 2026, our cooperation in science and technology will also reach new heights, beginning with the Italian Space Day in Seoul on February 10, marking the start of a new season of joint initiatives and discoveries.
Warm wishes for a prosperous and inspiring New Year!
Israeli Ambassador Rafael Harpaz / Courtesy of Embassy of Israel in Seoul
Israeli Ambassador Rafael Harpaz
On behalf of the embassy of Israel, I would like to wish you and your families and the entire Republic of Korea a year of happiness, success, health and fulfillment in 2026.
The past year has been an extremely challenging time for Israel, yet we are overcoming these difficulties through remarkable resilience and national unity.
During this difficult period, we are deeply grateful for the trust and solidarity shown by the people of Korea.
In its latest Economic Outlook, the OECD projects Israel’s GDP growth at approximately 4.9 percent in 2026, pointing to a path of gradual recovery and stabilization.
Building on this momentum, we look forward in the year ahead to further expanding cooperation between Korea and Israel across a wide range of fields, and to seeing the friendship between our two nations grow ever stronger.
Shalom!
Peruvian Ambassador Paul Duclos
I would like to extend to all readers of The Korea Times, to the Peruvian community and to friends of Peru our best wishes for success in the New Year 2026.
Peruvian Ambassador Paul Duclos / Courtesy of Embassy of Peru in Seoul
We express our special thanks to those who, through their continued support, encouragement and initiatives, contributed to strengthening our strategic partnership and deepening our friendship.
May 2026 bring renewed spirit, happiness, good fortune and optimism to all.
Kazakh Ambassador Nurgali A. Arystanov
As we welcome 2026, I would like to extend my warmest greetings and best wishes to the readers of The Korea Times and to all people of the Republic of Korea. The new year is a time for reflection and renewal, offering an opportunity to look ahead with optimism, confidence and a shared sense of purpose.
Kazakhstan and Korea enjoy an enhanced strategic partnership built on mutual trust, respect and shared values. The year 2025 was particularly successful and dynamic for our bilateral relations, marked by tangible progress across all key areas, including political dialogue, economic cooperation and the strengthening of people-to-people ties.
In July 2025, Presidents Kassym-Jomart Tokayev and Lee Jae Myung held a telephone conversation, reaffirming their strong commitment to further strengthening multifaceted bilateral relations. President Tokayev confirmed his readiness to visit Korea in 2026, including his participation in the C5+K Summit to be held in Seoul, reflecting the forward-looking nature of our partnership.
Kazakh Ambassador Nurgali A. Arystanov / Courtesy of Embassy of Kazakhstan in Seoul
It is worth noting that Korea is among Kazakhstan’s top three foreign investors and one of its 10 largest trading partners, with nearly 900 companies with Korean capital successfully operating in Kazakhstan, including companies such as Hyundai, Kia, Samsung, Shinhan Bank, BNK Bank, Lotte, CU and POSCO.
People-to-people exchanges continue to gain momentum, supported by visa-free travel for up to 30 days and more than 20 direct flights per week between our countries. The launch of new routes connecting Shymkent with Seoul and Almaty with Busan in 2025 has further contributed to the growing number of mutual visits and tourism exchanges.
I am confident that in the coming year we will further expand practical cooperation and explore new opportunities for collaboration. On this auspicious occasion, I sincerely wish the people of Korea good health, happiness, and continued success. May the new year bring peace, stability and new achievements, and further strengthen the enduring friendship between Kazakhstan and Korea.