To mark Korea’s 80th Liberation Anniversary in 2025, Cyber Diplomacy Organization VANK is launching a campaign to honor the legacy of independence activists. The initiative aims to collaborate with local governments to create themed walking trails where citizens can retrace the steps of independence activists and experience their historical significance firsthand.

By establishing these “Independence Activist Roads,” VANK seeks to highlight Korea’s triumph over Japanese colonial rule and honor the sacrifices of those who fought for independence. These paths will connect historical sites where activists lived and worked, fostering a deeper understanding of Korea’s national identity.

One example is Seoul’s Mangwoo Park, where a trail commemorating figures like Bang Jeong-hwan, Han Yong-un, and Jang Deok-soo has already been established. VANK plans to expand this model nationwide, working with municipalities to create immersive historical experiences.

This initiative offers a participatory way for citizens to engage with history while boosting cultural tourism. It also serves as an educational platform to ensure that the sacrifices of independence activists are remembered by future generations.

Posters for the campaign can be downloaded from the VANK official website and the global photo-sharing site Flickr. VANK encourages the public to share these materials widely to spread awareness.

Park Ki-tae, head of VANK, stated, “Following the footsteps of independence activists and remembering their sacrifices is a meaningful way to celebrate Korea’s 80th Liberation Anniversary.” He emphasized that properly preserving history is essential to completing the legacy of liberation.

VANK will continue developing projects that promote Korea’s independence movement and raise global awareness of its historical significance.

On February 12, 2025, VANK and the UNESCO Asia-Pacific Intangible Cultural Heritage Center (ICHCAP) signed an MOU in Seoul to enhance global awareness of intangible cultural heritage (ICH) in the Asia-Pacific region. The partnership aims to strengthen ICH protection, promote sustainable development, and engage youth in heritage advocacy.

Park Ki-tae, Head of VANK, highlighted the significance of this collaboration: “With most of VANK’s digital diplomats and global ambassadors being youth, this partnership offers a vital opportunity to contribute beyond Korea.” He noted that this marks a turning point for VANK, stating, “We are committed to leading global efforts in preserving and promoting ICH, driving meaningful change worldwide.”

Kim Ji-sung, Director-General of ICHCAP, expressed hope that “VANK’s passion and expertise will help widely promote ICH across the region,” emphasizing the center’s commitment to working with 48 member states to safeguard cultural heritage. He added, “By leveraging VANK’s strengths in digital outreach and campaigns, we will develop impactful promotional content and initiatives.”

VANK’s new policy communication platform, Yeollim, launching in March, will further facilitate public engagement in ICH-related discussions, fostering greater participation in cultural preservation efforts.

On February 5, 2025, VANK and UNESCO ICHCAP hosted a seminar in Seoul to discuss global promotional strategies for safeguarding Asia-Pacific intangible heritage. The event, held at the Korea Culture Foundation conference room, explored collaborative ideas to utilize the global Hallyu wave in heritage preservation.

Kwon So-young introduced key initiatives such as the “Korea PR Ambassador Program,” “Woollim” (National Policy Platform), and “Yeollim” (Policy Communication Platform), highlighting VANK’s collaboration with major institutions like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Korea Heritage Service. She emphasized efforts to position Korea as “Asia’s Hub” and a global cultural leader.

Seong Hye-seung proposed the “Correct Naming of Asia-Pacific Intangible Heritage” campaign, pointing out limited Korean-language accessibility for such heritage information. She suggested using VANK’s prior experience in preserving Korean heritage terminology to enhance recognition of Asia-Pacific heritage worldwide. Seong also advocated for leveraging the “Yeollim” platform to bridge policy gaps and improve public engagement.

Kim Ji-hye proposed creating Instagram stickers featuring traditional heritage symbols to make intangible heritage more accessible. She noted VANK’s past success in generating over 200 million views with digital content and emphasized social media’s power in cultural promotion.

Koo Seung-hyun introduced the “Global Asia-Pacific Intangible Heritage Ambassador Program,” highlighting the need to protect disappearing traditions. He stressed that youth participation in digital diplomacy can enhance cultural identity and foster international respect for diversity.

Youth researchers from Indonesia also shared ideas. Alex suggested a heritage-focused hackathon and podcast series to encourage knowledge sharing across Asia-Pacific nations, while Monica recommended forming partnerships with travel agencies to develop experiential heritage tours, citing her firsthand experience with Korea’s kimchi-making programs.

Concluding the seminar, Park Ki-tae, Head of VANK, affirmed, “Though we are not an international organization, we aim to serve as a bridge connecting the world to Asia-Pacific intangible heritage.” He expressed confidence that the “Yeollim” platform’s launch in March would significantly amplify UNESCO ICHCAP’s outreach.

Kim Ji-sung, Director-General of UNESCO ICHCAP, praised VANK’s innovative approach, stating, “Collaborations like these are crucial in preserving and promoting intangible heritage in an increasingly digital world.”

As VANK and UNESCO ICHCAP strengthen their partnership, this seminar marks a step toward global awareness and preservation of Asia-Pacific’s rich intangible heritage.

As Korea marks its 80th anniversary of liberation in 2025, VANK has launched a campaign for food and energy independence. While the nation has secured political sovereignty, it remains heavily reliant on foreign imports for essential resources.

VANK emphasizes that true independence is incomplete without self-sufficiency in food and energy, as these are crucial for national stability and sustainability. Korea’s low grain self-sufficiency—relying heavily on imports of wheat, corn, and soybeans—poses a serious risk, especially amid global crises like the Ukraine war, which previously caused a surge in food prices.

Energy sovereignty is another key issue, with Korea importing most of its oil and natural gas. Political instability in oil-producing countries and OPEC+ production decisions directly impact Korea’s economy.

To address these challenges, VANK highlights government initiatives like the Saemangeum complex grain production site, which aims to reduce import dependence through precision agriculture. However, they stress that true independence requires national support, policies, and public awareness.

A campaign poster released by VANK features a puzzle with missing pieces representing food and energy, symbolizing that Korea’s independence remains incomplete without them. The poster is available for download on VANK’s website and Flickr, encouraging people to share the message widely.

Park Ki-tae, founder of VANK, states, “Political sovereignty alone is not enough. Achieving food and energy independence is the final piece of the puzzle for true liberation.” Youth Researcher Seong Hye-seung adds, “By securing stable and self-sufficient resource systems, we can build a resilient and sustainable nation.”

This campaign is part of VANK’s broader initiative for Korea’s 80th anniversary of liberation, focusing on educating the world about Korea’s history and future vision.

On January 23, 2025, the Voluntary Agency Network of Korea (VANK) and the Korea Heritage Service’s International Heritage Cooperation Division held a seminar at the Korea Culture Foundation conference room in Seoul. The event aimed to explore effective global promotion strategies for Korea’s national heritage through public-private collaboration.

The seminar opened with a presentation by Kwon So-young, a researcher at VANK, who introduced key initiatives such as the “Korea Promotion Ambassador Training Project,” the national policy platforms ‘Woollim’ and ‘Yeollim,’ and the ongoing collaboration between VANK and the Korea Heritage Service. VANK researchers also proposed innovative global promotion ideas, which were refined through feedback from government officials.

Kwon So-young highlighted VANK’s efforts to train digital and metaverse diplomats in partnership with major government agencies like the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism. “Our goal is to establish Korea as the center of Asia and a gateway to Northeast Asia, sharing dreams and friendships worldwide,” she stated.

The ‘Woollim’ platform enables citizens to contribute to policy discussions in history, culture, and tourism, fostering active public engagement. Meanwhile, ‘Yeollim,’ set to launch in March, will serve as a communication hub between government agencies and citizens. “Through ‘Yeollim,’ the public will better understand government policies, and the government can improve them based on citizen feedback,” she explained.

Youth Researcher Seong Hye-seung proposed using ‘Yeollim’ to enhance the visibility of Korea’s cultural ODA (Official Development Assistance) projects, which support the preservation and restoration of heritage sites in developing nations. “By integrating these efforts into ‘Yeollim,’ we can foster greater public awareness and engagement,” she noted.

Park Ki-tae, Head of VANK, emphasized the importance of this initiative: “Promoting Korea’s cultural ODA efforts through ‘Yeollim’ will not only introduce Korea but also advance a new era of two-way cultural exchange with Hallyu’s global audience of 200 million.”

Another proposal by researcher Koo Seung-hyun focused on launching a global digital campaign to reclaim looted cultural assets, positioning Korea as a leader among former colonies in advocating for cultural restitution. American youth researcher Keziah Yoo highlighted inaccuracies in UNESCO records, such as mislabeling Korea’s ‘Pungmulnori’ as ‘China’s Korean Farmer’s Dance,’ stressing the urgency of rectifying these errors.

Alex, an Indonesian youth researcher, emphasized the significance of global cooperation in recovering looted heritage. “This campaign will be a crucial step in fostering international collaboration for cultural heritage protection,” he said.

As the seminar concluded, Park Ki-tae, Head of VANK, underscored the importance of regular strategic meetings, stating, “By incorporating Korea Heritage Administration content into ‘Yeollim,’ we can significantly enhance global awareness of Korea’s heritage.” Park Hyung-bin, Director of International Heritage Cooperation Division, echoed this sentiment: “Leveraging VANK’s platforms will help share our heritage policies with the public and improve them through active collaboration.”

Moving forward, VANK and the Korea Heritage Service plan to hold quarterly strategy seminars and utilize ‘Yeollim’ to further amplify Korea’s cultural diplomacy. With these efforts, VANK aims to pioneer a new wave of ‘K-Policy Hallyu,’ bringing Korea’s governance model to the global stage.

In 2025, marking the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation, Cyber Diplomacy Organization VANK is launching a campaign using AI to enhance Korea’s global image.

As of 2024, Korean culture—spanning dramas, music, and films—has gained immense popularity worldwide, amassing 225 million global fans. However, despite this attention, inaccurate portrayals of Korea’s history and culture persist in many international textbooks, encyclopedias, and websites. These inaccuracies often stem from perspectives shaped by Japan’s imperialist propaganda during its colonial rule over Korea, which justified its invasion by depicting Korea as historically dependent on China and lacking independent creativity.

Further complicating matters, the “Sea of Japan” label continues to replace “East Sea,” and biased narratives about Dokdo often dominate. Meanwhile, China’s distortions, from the Northeast Project to claims over Korean heritage like Hanbok, Bibimbap, and Kimchi as Chinese minority culture, remain widespread. Even the Great Wall is now being symbolically expanded into Korean territory.

The rise of generative AI platforms, such as ChatGPT, has created new challenges. Many AI tools rely on data influenced by these distortions, leading to responses like identifying the East Sea as the Sea of Japan or providing inaccurate depictions of Korea’s heritage sites like Gyeongbokgung Palace.

Recognizing the critical role AI plays in shaping global perceptions, VANK aims to take proactive measures. Rather than responding reactively to distortions, VANK will harness AI to ensure the accurate dissemination of Korea’s history and culture. This campaign not only seeks to counter Chinese and Japanese misinformation but also to establish Korea’s rightful place in the global consciousness.

VANK’s initiative emphasizes that AI’s growing influence demands accurate data to preserve Korea’s historical, cultural, and territorial integrity in the digital age.

On January 22, 2025, VANK, the Korea Taekkyeon Association, and Chungju City gathered at the Korea Culture Foundation in Seoul to strategize on promoting Taekkyeon globally.

VANK researcher Kwon So-young outlined VANK’s 2025 Taekkyeon promotion plan, emphasizing its collaborations with key government agencies to cultivate global Korean ambassadors. She introduced “Woollim,” a citizen-driven policy platform amplifying public voices in history, culture, and tourism, and “Yeollim,” set to launch in March, which will enhance government-citizen communication.

VANK youth researchers Seong Hye-seung and Koo Seung-hyun detailed recent campaigns, including efforts to establish “Taekkyeon Day,” integrate Taekkyeon into school curricula, and push for its inclusion in the Olympics and Asian Games. Seong highlighted Taekkyeon’s educational value in fostering respect and cooperation, while Koo stressed the sport’s alignment with Olympic values.

Indonesian youth researcher Monica noted Taekkyeon’s misrepresentation in Indonesian media, proposing targeted outreach to improve recognition.

VANK leader Park Ki-tae pledged continued efforts to globalize Taekkyeon, integrating it into the upcoming “Yeollim” platform. Chungju cultural official Ham Jae-gon affirmed the city’s role in preserving and promoting Taekkyeon, while Korea Taekkyeon Association Secretary General Park Hyo-sun announced plans for an international Taekkyeon competition.

This seminar marks the beginning of a new collaboration to nurture global Taekkyeon ambassadors and expand its cultural impact worldwide.

The Voluntary Agency Network of Korea (VANK) signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with the Korea Heritage Service’s Royal Palaces and Tombs Center on January 20, 2025, at Dondeokjeon Hall in Deoksugung Palace, Seoul. The collaboration aims to globally promote the cultural and historical significance of Korea’s royal palaces and tombs.

This partnership will focus on training and engaging cultural ambassadors, developing promotional content, and building a robust public-private cooperation framework to enhance awareness of Korea’s royal heritage. VANK, a cyber diplomacy organization established in 1999, has played a pivotal role in rectifying distorted representations of Korean history in foreign textbooks and online platforms. The organization has trained numerous Korean youth, diaspora, and international supporters to become global ambassadors of Korean culture.

The Royal Palaces and Tombs Center sees this collaboration as an opportunity to effectively disseminate accurate information about Korea’s cultural heritage amid rising global interest in traditional Korean culture, spurred by the popularity of K-pop and K-drama. “The international fascination with Hallyu provides a crucial moment to leverage VANK’s extensive experience in global outreach and advocacy,” said a representative of the Center.

Both institutions are committed to broadening the reach of knowledge about Korea’s royal palaces and tombs through various initiatives. These include the production and distribution of engaging content and the utilization of global diplomatic networks to promote Korea’s historical and cultural values on an international scale.

As Korea’s royal heritage gains global attention, this partnership underscores a collective effort to preserve and share the nation’s rich cultural legacy with the world.

In 2025, Korea stands at a pivotal moment, commemorating 80 years of liberation while shaping its vision for the future. To mark this milestone, VANK has launched a campaign to design a new global order, calling on citizens to join in this ambitious vision. 

This campaign goes beyond reflecting on liberation, emphasizing the need to overcome the structural distortions left by imperialism and great-power dominance. It aims to position Korea as a sovereign architect of a just and equitable international system. VANK defines the 80th Liberation Anniversary as ”the beginning of a journey toward leading a fair and cooperative global society,“ presenting Korea’s aspirations for the future. 

The campaign recalls the early 20th century, when imperialism suppressed freedoms and cultures worldwide, leaving scars that persist in modern politics, economies, and societies. Having endured the pain of colonial rule, Korea has risen as an economic and cultural powerhouse.

VANK outlines three key initiatives for Korea’s role as a global leader: 
1️⃣ Empowering youth to build global networks that bridge East and West, fostering mutual understanding and cooperation. 
2️⃣ Encouraging creative and innovative actions by young people to address global challenges, establishing Korea’s next generation as champions of peace and justice. 
3️⃣ Launching nationwide campaigns to amplify Korea’s vision and contributions worldwide, solidifying its place as a global leader. 

A symbolic poster created for the campaign features an unstable “Jenga Tower”representing the flawed global system shaped by imperialism. Korea’s symbolic hand rebuilds the tower, adding blocks labeled “Justice,” “Equality,” and “Cooperation.” This imagery highlights Korea’s commitment to reconstructing an equitable international order. 

Through this campaign, VANK underscores that true decolonization stems from international solidarity. It invites citizens to join Korea in designing a balanced and cooperative global future, fulfilling the ideals of liberation 80 years on.

As Korea marks its 80th Liberation Anniversary in 2025, VANK launches a campaign celebrating foreign independence activists who stood with Korea during its fight for freedom. Figures like Homer Hulbert, who championed Hangeul and independence, Kaneko Fumiko, who fought alongside Korean leaders, and Ernest Bethell, who exposed Japanese atrocities, symbolize solidarity that transcends borders.

The campaign’s initiatives include:
1️⃣ Respecting 246,000 “Homer Hulberts” in Korea by advocating fair treatment of foreign residents contributing to Korean society.
2️⃣ Collaborating with 200 million “Ernest Bethells”—Hallyu fans worldwide—to address global injustices inspired by Bethell’s activism.
3️⃣ Expressing gratitude to the homelands of activists like Hulbert, Kaneko, and Bethell through cultural diplomacy.
4️⃣ Sharing their legacies globally to inspire solidarity and understanding, spotlighting figures like George L. Shaw and Frederick Arthur McKenzie.

Seong Hye-seung, a youth researcher, emphasizes, “To lead the world on the 80th anniversary of liberation, Korea must embrace inclusivity without prejudice.”

This campaign, part of VANK’s five-project initiative, aims to honor history, promote multicultural inclusivity, and present a future-oriented vision. Upcoming projects include AI-powered national branding and training ambassadors to spread Korea’s spirit of liberation worldwide.