In a powerful global campaign, VANK is challenging Japan’s failure to honor commitments made during the Sado Mines’ UNESCO World Heritage Site inscription. The campaign aims to expose the systematic erasure of forced Korean labor history and call for international solidarity.
Despite promises to present the “complete history” and create memorial events honoring forced laborers, Japan has fallen short of its pledges.
A recent memorial ceremony in Niigata Prefecture revealed deep-seated historical insensitivity, with a Yasukuni Shrine representative attending and no invitations extended to victims’ families.
“Repeated promise-breaking, as seen in Sado Mines and previously in Gunkanjima, not only damages international trust but threatens the legitimacy of Japan’s heritage site inscriptions,” says Director Park Ki-tae. He emphasizes that “facing the truth and establishing justice is a promise for a better tomorrow for all of us.”
Youth Researcher Seong Hye-seung adds a powerful perspective: “Our history is built on a foundation of truth and justice. Japan’s actions fundamentally undermine the universal values of World Heritage Sites, representing clear historical distortion and another act of aggression against Korea.”
The campaign poster symbolically depicts mining pickaxes revealing hidden truths, with pickaxes exposing not minerals, but the silenced stories of Korean laborers. By creating multilingual posters, VANK aims to amplify the voices of forced labor victims and challenge Japan’s historical narrative.
VANK calls on the international community to hold Japan accountable, ensuring World Heritage Sites truly represent universal human values and respect for historical truth.
On November 29, 2024, at 10 AM, the Voluntary Agency Network of Korea (VANK) held a seminar at the Korea Culture Foundation conference room alongside Chairman Kim Joon-il. The event reviewed the achievements of the Homer Hulbert promotional campaign and discussed future strategies.
Jointly hosted by VANK and the Korea Culture Foundation, the seminar aimed to establish concrete plans to globally highlight the contributions of Dr. Homer Hulbert, a foreign independence activist who dedicated himself to Korea’s liberation. The session commenced with a presentation on VANK’s past efforts in promoting Dr. Hulbert’s legacy, followed by in-depth discussions on various outreach activities.
VANK researcher Kwon So-young detailed the organization’s promotional campaigns, which stem from a 2022 agreement between VANK and the Korea Culture Foundation to globalize Korean heritage. This led to collaborative initiatives, including a trilateral discussion in August 2022 between VANK, the Korea Culture Foundation, and The Hulbert Memorial Society.
VANK has since strived to transform global K-pop fans from mere consumers of Korean culture into advocates for Korea’s history, while also improving perceptions of Korea’s 2.5 million multicultural residents. Kwon So-young introduced Dr. Hulbert’s key contributions, including his articles in the New York Tribune advocating for Hangeul, his assistance in founding The Independent newspaper, and his role in exposing Japan’s colonial aggression at the 1907 Hague Peace Conference alongside Yi Sang-seol, Yi Jun, and Yi Wi-jong.
Since 2022, VANK has launched multiple campaigns, such as designing a Homer Hulbert commemorative currency, advocating for a memorial statue in his U.S. hometown, and promoting his achievements to Korean school principals and teachers across America. Other efforts include petitioning for an honorary road designation in his name, raising awareness about his role in Emperor Gojong’s stolen treasury funds, and highlighting his efforts for the return of the Gyeongcheonsa Ten-Story Pagoda.
The promotional activities were categorized into domestic and global initiatives. Domestically, VANK utilized its policy platform, Woollim, where 16 proposals were submitted by its members. Key suggestions included appointing Dr. Hulbert as Korea’s Honorary Public Relations Ambassador and elevating his posthumous honors, both of which are under government review. Additionally, VANK showcased him as a ‘Hallyu Star in Korean History’ at the 2023 National Brand Exhibition at the National Museum of Korea.
Globally, VANK collaborated with popular YouTubers boasting over 500,000 subscribers, producing three campaign videos that amassed over 264,122 views. VANK also independently created an English-language video on Dr. Hulbert’s legacy, reaching an audience of 1,403,068 viewers. Further, VANK published promotional materials, including the book Friends of Korea: Foreign Independence Activists, and developed an interactive world map illustrating global figures who aided Korea’s independence.
VANK’s digital initiatives extended into the metaverse, creating an exhibition hall where visitors could explore the lives of foreign independence activists. Their collective efforts garnered 100 media reports, raising public awareness and contributing to elevating the recognition of overlooked independence activists.
Chairman Kim Joon-il of the Korea Culture Foundation emphasized, “Despite being an American, Homer Hulbert devoted his life to Korea’s independence. We must never forget his contributions.” He added, “Hulbert loved Korea more than many Koreans themselves, and our joint efforts to promote his legacy globally are both valuable and necessary.”
The seminar continued with presentations from VANK’s young researchers. Koo Seung-hyun proposed creating digital stickers featuring Dr. Hulbert, stating, “He transcended borders and languages to fight for Korea’s independence. Using stickers as a global promotional tool will help keep his story alive.” Kim Ji-hye introduced the idea of an ‘International Independence Activist Map’ to provide an interactive way to explore the global figures who supported Korea’s liberation. Seong Hye-seung suggested a campaign highlighting foreign independence activists beyond Dr. Hulbert, such as Japanese activist Kaneko Fumiko and British journalist Ernest Bethell, to foster international solidarity.
Park Ki-tae, head of VANK, concluded, “We will continue to train the 200 million global Hallyu fans to become 21st-century Homer Hulberts, sharing Korea’s history with the world. With the support of the Korea Culture Foundation and the Hulbert Memorial Society, we are committed to ensuring his legacy is never forgotten.”
VANK has launched a global campaign to expose Japan’s failure to honor its promises regarding the UNESCO World Heritage designation of Sado Mine. During WWII, Sado Mine was a site of forced labor involving 1,500 Koreans—a painful history that Japan is attempting to distort and ignore.
To shed light on this, VANK has created multilingual posters distributed worldwide through platforms like “Woollim” and “Bridge Asia,” urging the Japanese government to fulfill its commitments. When seeking World Heritage status, Japan promised to: 1. Exhibit the history of forced labor. 2. Hold annual memorial services for victims.
However, these promises have been blatantly ignored. The term “forced labor” was removed from exhibitions, replaced by misleading narratives. Memorial services now feature vague messages of gratitude rather than tributes to victims, undermining their purpose.
UNESCO status demands a commitment to preserving shared history. Japan’s actions not only betray these values but also damage trust with the global community. VANK’s campaign poster, featuring a hand attempting to erase “forced labor exploitation” at Sado Mine with the message “History can never be erased,” symbolizes the enduring truth.
The poster is available for download on VANK’s website and Flickr. VANK encourages people to share it, raising their voices against historical distortion.
Director Park Ki-tae stated, “History is humanity’s shared truth. Japan must honor its commitments to restore trust.” Youth researcher Koo Seung-hyeon added, “Nations that distort history cannot lead the future.”
Since 2021, VANK has worked to expose Japan’s whitewashing of Sado Mine’s history through multilingual campaigns. This is not just a Korea-Japan issue—it’s a global fight for historical truth and justice. VANK calls on the international community to stand firm in defending UNESCO values and ensuring Japan upholds its responsibilities.
On November 22, 2024, VANK and the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism (MCST) held a seminar to discuss strategies for effectively promoting Korea globally through public-private collaboration.
Key initiatives presented included the “Global Korean Ambassador Training Program,” aimed at training young Koreans to become ambassadors of Korea’s true history and culture. This program was launched in response to concerns about distorted representations of Korea in foreign textbooks, websites, and social media. By empowering youth to take the lead in promoting accurate information, VANK aims to correct misconceptions before they spread.
Another key initiative discussed was the “Youth-Driven National Image Promotion Policy Discussions,” a quarterly meeting platform based on VANK’s ‘Woollim’ platform. The meetings will address Korean cultural and tourism policies and discuss solutions to global inaccuracies about Korea. VANK emphasized the importance of preemptive action to prevent misrepresentations, pointing to recent cases like the omission of “Dokdo” and the “East Sea” in materials produced by the Sejong Institute.
The seminar also covered the “Generation AI Response and Promotion Campaign,” where VANK plans to work with influencers and AI platforms to ensure accurate depictions of Korean history and culture. Other projects include using the “K-info Hub” platform to spread global promotional content and the “I am an Ambassador!” campaign, which recruits foreigners to share Korean culture.
VANK presented innovative ideas from young researchers, such as promoting Korean heritage through monthly social media campaigns. These include creating themed content like introducing the UNESCO Intangible Cultural Heritage ‘Taekkyeon’ and distributing digital backgrounds to increase global awareness.
VANK and the MCST emphasized the importance of these efforts to enhance Korea’s global cultural standing and correct misinformation.
VANK has initiated an international campaign to safeguard the Gyeongnyeolbi-yeoldo, a critical cluster of islands in Korea’s West Sea. Known for their military, economic, and ecological significance, the islands face threats from illegal fishing and foreign interest. VANK is calling for stronger government measures, including nationalization, to secure these strategic territories.
The Gyeongnyeolbi-yeoldo consists of three main islands—North, West, and East Gyeongnyeolbi—and nine islets. While North Gyeongnyeolbi is state-owned, the West and East islands remain privately owned, making them vulnerable to foreign acquisition. In 2014, Chinese nationals attempted to purchase them, raising alarms about Korea’s maritime sovereignty.
This region also plays a vital economic role as part of the “golden fishing grounds,” despite being a hotspot for Korea-China fishing disputes, with 60% of conflicts occurring here. Ecologically, the islands support diverse marine life, further underscoring the need for protection.
To raise awareness, VANK has designed a poster featuring the Gyeongnyeolbi-yeoldo in a triangular formation with the Korean flag and flying seagulls symbolizing the area’s environmental value. The poster is available for download on VANK’s website and Flickr, and the public is encouraged to share it globally to highlight the importance of preserving these islands.
Director Park Gi-tae emphasized, “If foreigners acquire these islands, Korea’s maritime sovereignty will be at risk.” Youth researcher Koo Seung-hyeon added, “Like Dokdo, these islands are key to protecting our national boundaries.”
Join VANK in safeguarding Korea’s heritage and sovereignty!
As Hallyu (the Korean Wave) captivates the world, with over 200 million fans, Korea’s global image is soaring through its music, dramas, and films. However, a gap between this pop culture-driven image and Korea’s reality could foster misunderstandings or even anti-Korean sentiment.
To bridge this gap, VANK is launching a campaign to align Korea’s elevated image with its authentic identity by appointing independence activist Ahn Chang-ho as an honorary global ambassador. Ahn, who tirelessly worked to improve Korea’s reputation abroad 100 years ago, exemplified the values of diligence, integrity, and national pride.
While in the U.S., Ahn not only helped Korean immigrants find jobs in orange farms but also led by example, believing even small acts, like picking oranges diligently, could reshape Korea’s image. His efforts inspired others, transforming perceptions of Koreans in America.
Through this campaign, VANK aims to introduce Ahn’s legacy to both Koreans and global Hallyu fans, highlighting his role in shaping Korea’s national image. By revisiting his story, Koreans today can embody his spirit to build a more unified, attractive, and approachable Korea.
Join us in honoring Ahn Chang-ho and sharing his legacy with the world!
VANK has launched a campaign to establish an international organization dedicated to repatriating stolen cultural artifacts, with Korea at the helm. The campaign aims to raise awareness about the need for the return of cultural treasures looted during the imperialist era and to strengthen solidarity among nations affected by such historical injustices.
Over 246,000 pieces of Korean cultural heritage are currently held overseas, with Japan owning nearly 45% of these artifacts. Other countries like the United States, Germany, and the UK also house significant collections of stolen Korean items. VANK argues that the legality of these transfers remains unclear, especially given the widespread illegal appropriation of artifacts during the imperialist period.
VANK emphasizes that while countries affected by imperialism have long sought international help in recovering their heritage, Korea, despite its economic power, lacks the global leadership to drive change. With over 200 million fans of Korean culture worldwide, VANK believes Korea is uniquely positioned to lead a global movement for justice, citing the historical significance of the March 1st Movement and Korea’s ability to shape global opinion.
VANK calls for the creation of a strong international body with real authority to oversee the return of cultural heritage, mediate disputes, and facilitate agreements. VANK points to Korea’s success in other international initiatives, such as the UNESCO International Archive Heritage Center and the Green Climate Fund.
Koo Seung Hyeon, a youth researcher, expressed hope that “Through international solidarity led by Korea, the just return of cultural heritage will become a reality. Looted artifacts in famous museums should no longer be a source of pride but symbols of shame and exploitation.”
VANK’s initiative marks a crucial step in Korea’s growing role in global cultural affairs, aiming to foster lasting international solidarity and return cultural treasures to their rightful homes.
At the 16th Siheung Lifelong Learning Festival, a special program titled ”To Me, Siheung is the Earth“ focused on climate crisis and carbon neutrality. The event aimed to raise awareness about global warming and inspire environmentally-conscious action among citizens. On October 25, 2024, the opening ceremony featured a keynote speech by Park Ki-tae, the head of VANK, who spoke under the theme ”We are the Global Climate Ambassadors Saving Humanity.“
Referencing the drama Mr. Sunshine, Park highlighted the strong resolve of anonymous independence fighters who sacrificed their lives to defend Korea from Japanese occupation. He connected their legacy to the modern-day, urging Siheung citizens to act as climate ambassadors—protecting humanity from climate threats as the independence fighters once protected Korea.
Following Park‘s speech, three VANK youth researchers gave presentations:
Koo Seung-hyeon shared her involvement in projects promoting Korean history worldwide. She recounted discovering that the island of Ulleungdo was misidentified as Japanese territory on a major international mountain climbing site. Her efforts, along with public protests, led to a partial correction of the error. Koo highlighted that this same commitment to defending Korean territory extends to addressing climate issues, urging Siheung to take a leading role.
Seong Hye-seung discussed her work defending Korea’s rights over Dokdo and correcting historical inaccuracies as part of VANK’s outreach. She noted that climate change, including rising sea levels, is not confined to the polar regions. Seong emphasized the importance of taking action for the planet’s future, especially on ”Dokdo Day,“ calling on everyone to become climate advocates.
Kim Ji-hye expressed her pride in rejoining her hometown community. She recalled participating in a VANK event as a middle schooler, traveling alone from Jeju to Seoul, demonstrating her dedication. Now, she works with VANK using AI technology to resolve inaccuracies related to Korean history and Dokdo. She expressed hopes for continued cooperation between VANK and Siheung to drive meaningful environmental efforts.
On October 15, 2024, VANK (Voluntary Agency Network of Korea) held a strategic seminar in collaboration with the Korea Taekkyon Federation to promote the traditional Korean martial art, Taekkyon, as a global Hallyu star. The event focused on increasing awareness of Taekkyon among 200 million international Hallyu fans.
Key attendees included Oh Seong-geun, Secretary General of the Korea Taekkyon Federation, Ahn Chi-young, Deputy Director, and VANK’s director, Park Ki-tae, along with other VANK members and researchers from the U.S. Kwon So-young highlighted the organization’s previous achievements in globalizing Taekkyon.
VANK has produced 4,000 sets of promotional materials, including 48,000 English-language postcards, featuring Taekkyon as one of twelve “Hallyu stars in history.” They also created 10,000 English world maps introducing Taekkyon to schools worldwide. Additional efforts include public policy proposals for incorporating Taekkyon into national campaigns.
The seminar generated several promotional ideas, such as blending Taekkyon into popular culture (Hye-seung Seong), AR integration and Taekkyon choreography in K-pop (Ji-hye Kim), and wellness-focused programs (Seung-hyeon Koo). American researcher Keziah Yoo proposed creating trendy videos showcasing Taekkyon’s distinctive kicking techniques, while Christine Mau suggested Taekkyon pop-ups at school festivals.
Park Ki-tae expressed VANK’s commitment to leveraging Hallyu’s popularity to promote Korea’s rich history and culture, ensuring Taekkyon’s place on the global stage. In recognition of their efforts, VANK members were awarded honorary Taekkyon certificates by the Korea Taekkyon Federation.
On October 5, 2024, in celebration of World Korean Day, the Cyber Diplomacy Organization VANK hosted a seminar in Seoul addressing the future of overseas Koreans worldwide. Key attendees included Kim Han-il, President of the Korean American Association of the San Francisco Bay Area, and Sun-ran Kim, Chairwoman of the Jin Duck and Kyung Sik Kim Foundation.
During the seminar, VANK shared the success of their campaign, launched in April, to honor Lee Dae-wi, a Korean independence activist, as an honorary ambassador to the U.S. Over 6,200 Koreans in the United States supported the campaign. VANK also promoted the historical significance of other activists like Jeon Myeong-un and Jang In-hwan, as well as Korean independence sites in San Francisco.
In addition, the seminar highlighted the importance of voter participation in the upcoming U.S. presidential election on November 5, 2024. Despite 58% of Korean Americans being eligible voters, their turnout is currently low, impacting the community’s influence. VANK emphasized the need for active civic engagement to strengthen the Korean American community’s political and social presence in the U.S.
VANK Director Park Ki-tae vowed to continue projects promoting Korean history and culture globally while empowering the Korean diaspora to increase their influence in their respective countries through political participation.
