In his first official trip as secretary of defense, Jim Mattis traveled to East Asia, with scheduled stops in South Korea and Japan. “It is a priority for President Trump’s administration to pay attention to the northwest Pacific,” Mattis told the New York Times. “I am going to get current by listening to them, finding out where their issues are, and then we are going to work together and strengthen our alliance.”

The rekindling of a row between Japan and South Korea over symbols of the “comfort women” could hinder efforts to strengthen security cooperation between Washington’s two key Asian allies, according to an American scholar versed in Tokyo-Seoul ties.

The theme of this year's expo is "Joint Prosperity of Asia through Cultural Exchange," and will display performances, exhibitions and symposiums at Ho Chi Minh City Hall plaza and nearby locations. It will be held from November 9 through December 2. More than 10,000 people from 40 countries will participate as performers.

With only a year to go before the opening of the PyeongChang Winter Olympics, the organizers vow to enrich the global sports event with cultural elements. For the past five years, the South Korean government has been working not only to build and shore up infrastructure for the games, but also to prepare to show Korea's soft power.

With six million Chinese tourists expected to travel abroad over the Lunar New Year break, China’s Jan. 27 to Feb. 2 holiday is crucial for Taiwan tour agency operator Li Chi-yueh, who relies on mainland visitors for a third of his revenue. [...] Though Tsai says Taiwan wants peace with China, Beijing suspects she seeks formal independence. “China uses its sightseeing tourists as a diplomatic weapon,” said Li. 

Korean has been designated an official foreign language subject for college entrance exam in France, according to the French Embassy in Korea. An embassy official said on Sunday that France's Ministry of Education included Korean among foreign languages for the Baccalaureat ― an academic qualification test that French high school students must pass to graduate and enter university ― late last year.

As the realm of diplomacy increasingly engages the public at large, culture is being writ large in the vocabulary and method of foreign affairs experts around the globe. One of the major tasks of diplomats is mastering the art of public diplomacy, employing the allures of visual art, music, literature and performing arts, in a world increasingly interconnected culturally. 

The Korean Culinary Arts & Science High School, Seoul South Korea led by Dr. Lee, Senior Lecturer and Jhang, Ethnic Korean Cuisine Chef along with 10 students had a food and cultural exchange programme with the students and faculty of Mount Mary Higher Secondary School & College (MMHSSC), Chumukedima, Nagaland on January 13. This was stated in a press note issued by the organiser.