The Korea National Diplomatic Academy Holds the 52nd Diplomatic Workshop

Yonsei University, Mokpo National Maritime University, and Hannam University Teams Win Two Titles Each

The Korea National Diplomatic Academy held the event to strengthen university students' capabilities for entering the international community and to enhance their understanding of major diplomatic issues. (Photo by Mokpo National Maritime University)

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters Reporter Seo Young-seo] The 52nd Diplomatic Workshop for University Students, hosted by the Korea National Diplomatic Academy from the 3rd to the 7th, was held at the Korea National Diplomatic Academy.

This diplomatic workshop was organized to strengthen university students' capabilities for entering the international community and to enhance their understanding of major diplomatic issues.

The participating students attended various lectures including those by current and former ambassadors and professors from the Korea National Diplomatic Academy, toured the Diplomatic Archives, took English Conference lectures, and participated in a simulated international conference, allowing them to study English in depth.

They were selected from over 70 university students nationwide who aspire to become diplomats or enter international organizations, recommended by their respective universities, to participate in the workshop.

The Korea National Diplomatic Academy awarded students with the highest honors in the field of public diplomacy for effectively promoting the workshop to the public, and in the simulated international conference category for actively and excellently participating in the English-language conference on the Korean Peninsula peace process.

The student team of Shin Ga-yeon, Baek Woo-seok, and Seo Byung-young, who received the Best Award in Public Diplomacy and the Best Award in Model International Conference (Photo by Mokpo National Maritime University)

The highest awards in public diplomacy and simulated international conference were won by a student team from Yonsei University’s Shin Ga-yeon (Department of Media, Communication and Visual Studies, 24 years old), Mokpo National Maritime University’s Baek Woo-seok (Department of Marine Mechatronics, 24 years old), and Hannam University’s Seo Byung-young (Department of Global Business, 26 years old), achieving a double crown.

Shin Ga-yeon, Baek Woo-seok, and Seo Byung-young, who received the highest awards in public diplomacy and simulated international conference, introduced the workshop through their Naver blog.

They candidly documented their daily lives during the workshop on the blog and wrote their impressions of the lectures.

Additionally, through interview-style posts, they shared each team member’s motivation for applying, reasons for recommending the workshop, and tips for writing self-introduction letters, aiming to provide practical help to students interested in the diplomatic workshop.

On the last day of the workshop, they took on the role of the Russian delegation in the simulated international conference and led the meeting to a successful conclusion.

In particular, representing Russia, they advocated for the easing of sanctions on North Korea, Russia’s economic support to North Korea, and the simultaneous suspension of military exercises between Russia, China, South Korea, and the United States to achieve denuclearization of North Korea.

Having won two top awards at the diplomatic workshop, they said, “For all of us dreaming of entering international organizations, this workshop was like a stepping stone toward our dreams,” and expressed their ambition, “We want to become representatives of the Republic of Korea in various international organizations in the future by leveraging the knowledge and English skills gained through the workshop.”

They added, “This will be a truly meaningful experience not only for students considering careers as diplomats or in international organizations but also for those seeking diverse experiences,” recommending university students nationwide to apply for the Korea National Diplomatic Academy’s diplomatic workshop.