Q. Please introduce yourself.

Hello, my name is Hye-seung Seong, and I have been working as a youth researcher at VANK since September 2024. Through VANK’s outreach activities, I have consistently nurtured my long-standing interests in history, culture, diplomacy, and tourism. Building on this foundation, I am actively involved in various global campaigns and policy advocacy initiatives at VANK.

Currently, my focus is on exploring effective ways to promote Korea’s history and culture to the world, with an emphasis on policy development and global outreach efforts.

Q. Your Projects / Campaigns at VANK?

I am involved in a wide range of projects, from promoting accurate knowledge about Korea’s heritage and history to uncovering hidden values. Notably, I have led campaigns such as the designation of ‘Ahn Chang-ho Day,’ the establishment of ‘Taekkyeon Day,’ and efforts to include Taekkyeon in textbooks and dictionaries. Additionally, I introduced aspects of K-Food enjoyed by independence activists and organized campaigns countering China’s Northeast Project, which distorts cultural heritage.

On the international front, I worked to correct the misrepresentation of the East Sea on the global maritime information website ‘Marine Insight.’ Domestically, I collaborated on efforts to remove the incorrect English name for the Dokdo sea lion from digital materials provided by the National Institute of Biological Resources under the Ministry of Environment. These activities aim to promote and preserve Korea’s identity both at home and abroad.

Q. What aspect of Korean history / culture would you like to tell Korea and the world while being an intern at VANK?

I have a deep interest in preserving the values of Korea that are at risk of disappearing. This includes records that are becoming less accessible to the public, endangered cultural heritage, and natural elements of Korea’s four distinct seasons that are increasingly difficult to enjoy due to global warming and environmental changes.

I am passionate about raising awareness of these fading and endangered aspects of Korean culture and nature. By leveraging global platforms and campaigns, I aim to share the significance of Korea’s heritage with the world and contribute to safeguarding our unique identity for future generations.

Q. What would you like to say to fellow students who are thinking of applying for an internship experience at VANK?

I believe that working as a youth researcher at VANK provides a valuable opportunity to understand and approach the appeal of Korea in a unique way. VANK covers a wide range of topics under the umbrella of promoting Korea, including history, culture, diplomacy, and tourism. If there is a particular area of interest, I recommend deeply contemplating it and exploring it from various perspectives.

Additionally, while some aspects may be challenging to address through traditional policy approaches, I believe it is crucial to discover creative ways to tackle these issues, utilizing VANK’s distinctive approach to activities!