Hello. I served as a youth researcher at VANK for six months. Here’s a summary of my activities during that time.

Motivation to Join VANK
As a student passionate about Korean history, I was drawn to VANK’s mission as a “cyber diplomatic mission,” and I applied for an internship.

Petition Activities
I wrote 20 petitions: 11 for the Woollim platform and 9 for Bridge Asia. Ullim petitions focused on spreading awareness of Korean history and culture, including a memorable petition about traditional Korean snacks. Bridge Asia petitions addressed global issues like climate change and water scarcity, deepening my understanding of international concerns.

Campaign Against China’s Historical Distortions
VANK consistently challenges China’s Northeast Project and historical distortions. Through my work, I focused on the issue of the Great Wall’s eastern endpoint, which China falsely extends into Korea’s Goguryeo territory. I launched a campaign to raise awareness about these distortions and created a Korean and English card news series on the history of Goguryeo’s Bakhjak Fortress.

Korean Native Animal Campaign
While working on cultural projects, I came across the Dokdo Sea Lion campaign, which led me to start the “Korean Native Animals in Korean History” campaign. Through six card news posts, I introduced native animals, including endangered species like the Jeju dolphins, and educated about historical facts, such as the tragic killing of native Korean dogs during the Japanese occupation.

Heritage Preservation Campaign
Inspired by the return of Goryeo lacquerware in 2022, I launched the “Protecting Cultural Heritage” campaign, highlighting the efforts to repatriate Korean heritage items and the people who work toward this cause.

Collaborative Experiences
Through VANK, I had the opportunity to collaborate with professionals from various fields, learning about their pride and expertise. Traveling across Korea, I also grew to appreciate its beauty.

Conclusion
My time at VANK was made possible by the team’s support, allowing me to tackle diverse projects and learn invaluable skills. Although my VANK journey has ended, I’ll carry forward the moments of promoting Korean history and culture. Thank you for everything!