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.”