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.