Azerbaijan commemorates Khojaly massacre
Remembering the victims, the embassy reiterated that massacre was carried out by Armenian forces, killing 613 Azerbaijani civilians, including 106 women and 63 children, in the tragic event of 1992. Azerbaijan views the attack as a deliberate act of genocide, referencing the 1948 UN Convention on Genocide.
The massacre occurred during the 1990s Azerbaijan-Armenia war, with Armenia disputing the death toll and blaming Azeri soldiers and poor civilian evacuation.
"Commemorating the innocent victims of this genocide is a moral duty," stressed Azerbaijani Ambassador to Korea Ramin Hasanov in his remarks at the symposium.
"Unfortunately, we had to wait more than 30 years for justice to prevail for the tragedies and crimes committed against our people," he said.
Meanwhile, the ambassador urged Korea to step up cooperation with Korean expertise in the Garabagh and East Zangezur regions of Azerbaijan, which have been declared 'green zones.'
"Infrastructure and all activities over there will be exclusively facilitated only with green energy. Numerous smart villages, smart cities, wind energy parks, and solar energy systems are currently under construction," stressed the ambassador.
Azerbaijan declared 2024 as the Year of Solidarity for a Green World and hosted COP29, attended by 80 heads of state and government, affirming its strong commitment to global climate action.
"These developments have created momentum for Azerbaijan and Korea to combine their willingness and strengths towards close cooperation in the said fields, both in a bilateral format and within multilateral institutions," he said.
"Amid the ongoing geopolitical challenges and conflicts in the world, Azerbaijan and Korea, as loyal supporters of international law and advocates for international commitments, could closely cooperate and coordinate their endeavors in terms of regional and global affairs."
"Korea, in its capacity as a nonpermanent member of the UN Security Council, which will last till the end of this year, can count on my country's cooperation in its efforts to this end," he added.
The event was attended by over 100 guests, including members of the diplomatic corps, NGOs, Azerbaijani community members in Korea, and media representatives.
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Korea Herald
26-07-2025
- Korea Herald
Tens of thousands flee their homes as Thailand and Cambodia clash
Thailand (AP) -- Tens of thousands of people sought refuge as border fighting between Thailand and Cambodia entered its third day Saturday, heightening fears of an extended conflict with the total death toll reaching 32. The UN Security Council held an emergency meeting behind closed doors late Friday in New York, while Malaysia, which chairs the 10-nation regional bloc that includes both countries, called for an end to hostilities and offered to mediate. The council did not issue a statement but a council diplomat said all 15 members called on the parties to deescalate, show restraint and resolve the dispute peacefully. The council also urged the regional bloc, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations known as ASEAN, to help resolve the border fighting, the diplomat said, speaking on condition of anonymity because the meeting was private. 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The Thai Health Ministry on Friday said more than 58,000 have fled from villages to temporary shelters in four affected border provinces, while Cambodian authorities said more than 23,000 people have evacuated from areas near the border. The latest flare-up in a long-running border dispute between the two countries has killed at least 19 people in Thailand -- mostly civilians -- while Cambodia said Saturday that 12 people more people have killed on its side, bringing its death toll to 13. Thailand's acting prime minister, Phumtham Wechayachai, said Friday that Cambodia may be guilty of war crimes due to the deaths of civilians and damage caused to a hospital. He said Thailand had exercised the 'utmost restraint and patience in the face of provocations and aggression' from Cambodia. Tensions over a disputed border area erupted into fighting after a land mine explosion along the border wounded five Thai soldiers on Wednesday. The Thai military reported clashes early Friday in multiple areas along the border, including near the ancient Ta Muen Thom temple claimed by both sides. Associated Press reporters near the border could hear sounds of artillery from early morning hours. The Thai army said Cambodian forces had used heavy artillery and Russian-made BM-21 rocket launchers, prompting what Thai officials described as 'appropriate supporting fire' in return. Thailand said six of its soldiers and 13 civilians were killed while 29 soldiers and 30 civilians were wounded. Early Saturday, Cambodian Gen. Maly Socheata, spokesperson for the Ministry of National Defense, told reporters Saturday that seven more civilians and five soldiers have died from two days of fighting. It earlier reported one fatality -- a man who was killed when the pagoda he was hiding in got hit by Thai rockets. 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Some villagers earlier dug holes to create makeshift underground bunkers, covering them with wood, tarpaulin and zinc sheets to shield themselves from shelling. Families with children were seen packing their belongings on home-made tractors to evacuate, though a few men refused to leave. A remote Buddhist temple surrounded by rice fields accommodated several hundred evacuated villagers. Women rested in hammocks, some cradling babies, while children ran about. Makeshift plastic tents were being set up under the trees. Veng Chin, 74, pleaded with both governments to negotiate a settlement 'so that I can return to my home and work on the farm.' The conflict marks a rare instance of armed confrontation between ASEAN member countries though Thailand has tangled with Cambodia before over the border and has had sporadic skirmishes with western neighbor Myanmar. Malaysian Prime Minister Anwar Ibrahim said Friday that Thailand and Cambodia had agreed to a ceasefire and to withdraw their troops from the border, but requested more time before implementing the action, according to a report by Malaysia's Bernama national news agency. Anwar said he had spoken to both Cambodian leader Hun Manet and Thailand's Phumtham and urged them to open space for 'peaceful dialogue and diplomatic resolution,' while offering to have Malaysia facilitate talks. UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has also called for restraint and urged both countries to resolve disputes through dialogue, according to UN deputy spokesman Farhan Haq. The 800-kilometer frontier between Thailand and Cambodia has been disputed for decades, but past confrontations have been limited and brief. The last major flare-up in 2011 left 20 dead. The current tensions broke out in May when a Cambodian soldier was killed in a confrontation that created a diplomatic rift and roiled Thailand's domestic politics . Things got worse when a land mine wounded five Thai soldiers on Wednesday, leading Bangkok to close the border and expel the Cambodian ambassador. The next day, clashes broke out along the border.
Korea Herald
22-07-2025
- Korea Herald
Colombia marks Independence Day with renewed call to strengthen Korea ties
Colombia marked its Independence Day with a renewed pledge to strengthen diplomatic, economic and peacekeeping ties with South Korea — bonds rooted in their shared commitment to the United Nations and deepened by decades of bilateral cooperation. Colombia's 215th Independence Day, which fell on July 20, commemorates its 1810 declaration of independence from Spain, which had colonized the country since 1549. 'For the first time in its history, Colombia has been elected as a member of the United Nations Human Rights Council for the 2025–2027 term, where we will serve alongside the Republic of Korea,' said Colombian Ambassador to Korea Alejandro Pelaez Rodriguez during Monday's celebration event. Rodriguez noted Colombia's recent election as a non-permanent member of the UN Security Council for 2026–2027. 'Peace, democracy and freedom are the foundation of the strong ties that unite Colombia and the Republic of Korea,' he said, recalling Colombia's historic participation in the 1950–1953 Korean War. 'Seventy-four years ago, 5,100 men from all regions of Colombia crossed the Pacific to join the United Nations Command,' recalled Rodriguez. Colombian military officers remain stationed at Camp Humphreys, supporting peacekeeping and the enforcement of the 1953 armistice, the ambassador said. Rodriguez thanked Korea and other Security Council members for supporting Colombia's diplomatic efforts for peace both nationally and globally. He highlighted the Korea–Colombia FTA, citing a 43.1 percent increase in Colombian exports to Korea in 2024 and a 76.8 percent rise in the number of exporters since 2016. Rodriguez Colombia–Korea cooperation in technology, climate action and people-to-people ties, citing projects like a land reform program using Korean technology, an office of the Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology in Santa Marta, a planned working holiday agreement, and regional exchange initiatives to strengthen the bilateral partnership. Meanwhile, South Korea's Deputy Minister and Ambassador for Climate Change Chung Keeyong applauded Colombia's consistent support for peace and denuclearization on the Korean Peninsula. 'Likewise, the Republic of Korea has steadfastly supported Colombia's journey toward a just and sustainable peace — a complete peace that reflects the aspirations of the Colombian people,' Chung said. 'A true friend is someone who holds your hand and touches your heart,' Chung added, referring to a saying by Colombian author Gabriel Garcia Marquez. sanjaykumar@
Korea Herald
15-07-2025
- Korea Herald
France wishes to play full part with South Korea on Bastille Day
France reaffirmed its commitment to working with South Korea as it marked Bastille Day on Monday. The day is observed annually on July 14, commemorating the 1789 storming of the Bastille prison, which sparked the French Revolution. Speaking at the event, French Ambassador to Korea Bertrand Bertoux praised South Korea's resilient democracy. 'In South Korea, the attempted imposition of martial law on Dec. 3 ushered in a period of great uncertainty,' he said. 'Fortunately, Korean democracy has demonstrated its solidity. With the presidential election on June 3, this chapter is closed. A new page is being written.' 'France wishes to play its full part, as it has done throughout Korea's modern history,' Bertoux said, mentioning the French Battalion's role in UN forces during the Korean War and major Korean-French projects such as the Hanul nuclear reactors and the TGV/KTX high-speed train. Bertoux pointed to AI, space, quantum technology, biotech and decarbonization as focus areas for future ties. He also highlighted France's ambitious France 2030 plan, which supports innovation and funds many Franco-Korean cooperation projects. 'We are proud to be Europe's No. 1 destination for foreign direct investment for the sixth year running, according to the EY barometer.' He also expressed solidarity with Ukraine at the event. 'Let's help Ukraine, because our collective future depends on it.' Meanwhile, Lee Kyung-chul, South Korea's High Representative for UN Security Council Affairs, paid tribute to the more than 3,000 French soldiers who fought alongside Koreans for freedom and democracy during the Korean War. He thanked France for its unwavering commitment to 'liberty, equality, and fraternity,' which has fostered 'genuine affection and admiration' among Koreans. 'Every year, hundreds of thousands of Koreans travel to France for its freedom, its romanticism, and the richness of its cultural heritage,' Lee said. He also highlighted the strong economic ties, noting, 'France is now Korea's third-largest trading partner within the EU, while Korea is France's third-largest trading partner in Asia.' 'Korea intends to write a new page with the new government driven by a spirit of inclusion and reconciliation,' he said with optimism about Korea's future, recalling the post-World War II foundation of the European Union by France and Germany. The event was attended by members of the diplomatic corps, embassy officials, foreign residents, Korean company executives, NGOs and media representatives. sanjaykumar@
