S. Korea Cooperation Agency supports upgrading Iran's skill training equipment
According to ILNA, a ceremony was held at the Technical and Vocational Training Instructor Training Center with the attendance of Gholamhossein Mohammadi, head of Iran's Technical and Vocational Training Organization; Kim Junpyo, the South Korean Ambassador to Iran; Hassan Fartousi, Secretary-General of the Iranian National Committee for UNESCO; Ali Hajilari, Advisor of Iran to the United Nations; and a group of domestic and international officials. At the event, a new project for upgrading equipment and skill diplomacy in Iran was unveiled.
* Skill Diplomacy and Human Capital Enhancement
At the ceremony, Gholamhossein Mohammadi expressed gratitude for the cooperation of domestic and international institutions and emphasized: Iran's Technical and Vocational Training Organization is part of a large ecosystem of informal skill training in the country, encompassing over 600 fixed centers and more than 20,000 private training institutes. He described this project as an effective step toward improving labor productivity, strengthening human capital, developing the national economy, and expanding cultural capacities.
The head of the Technical and Vocational Training Organization noted the nature of this cooperation and called it a successful example of skill diplomacy. He said: This project is built on four pillars: public good, mutual goodwill, a forward-looking perspective—especially in the digital and green economy—and a focus on human development, not merely infrastructure.
According to him, this model can be extended beyond Iran, potentially to the wider West Asia region.
* Investment for Future Generations
The South Korean Ambassador to Iran also expressed his pleasure at attending the ceremony and stated: This project is not merely a physical facility; it is an investment in people and the future, and it can become a foundation for long-term cooperation between Iran and South Korea.
Mr. Kim, referring to Korea's development experience, identified technical and vocational training as one of the key pillars of strengthening society and emphasized: When a person learns a new skill, its impact is passed on to their family, community, and future generations.
* Continuation of Projects Amid Regional Conditions
Iran war changing public perception shaped by Western media, says S. Korean scholar
Speaking to the Tehran Times, Yu argues that recent regional developments—including the Gaza war and the subsequent U.S. and Israeli military strikes against Iran—have prompted many South Koreans to reconsider long-standing assumptions about the Islamic Republic. Yet he cautions that any shift remains fragile because South Korean media continue to rely heavily on Western sources for international news, allowing Western narratives to retain a dominant influence over public opinion.
For Yu, the challenge is not merely political. It is fundamentally one of communication, cultural exchange, and mutual understanding. While geopolitical crises may temporarily alter public attitudes, he believes only sustained educational and cultural engagement can produce lasting changes in how South Koreans perceive Iran.
A changing perception—but not yet a lasting one
Yu said he continues to stand by the position he articulated years ago: Iran should not be regarded as an adversary of South Korea, and Seoul would benefit from pursuing a more independent approach toward its relations with Tehran.
Recent military developments, he noted, have led many South Koreans to question prevailing narratives surrounding Iran.
"Many people regarded the recent war as unjust," Yu said, referring to the U.S. and Israeli attacks on Iran. According to him, this has created a noticeable—though limited—shift in public attitudes.
He emphasized, however, that such changes should not be overstated.
"The influence of Western media remains very strong," he explained. "Therefore, this change in perception has not yet become deep or permanent."