Promoting Korean History and Culture in the Metaverse
[Asia Economy Reporter Jang Hee-jun] The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and VANK (Voluntary Agency Network for Korea) have agreed to strengthen cooperation to realize digital public diplomacy.
On the 6th, Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) on mutual cooperation between the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Cyber Diplomatic Mission VANK for the realization of public-private cooperation digital public diplomacy with VANK Director Park Ki-tae at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs' National Diplomacy Center.
VANK is a civilian network organization engaged in various activities such as educating cyber diplomats, correcting historical distortions, enhancing the national brand of the Republic of Korea, and solving global issues, with the goal of promoting accurate knowledge about Korea worldwide.
Minister of Foreign Affairs Park Jin (right) and Director Park Ki-tae are taking a commemorative photo after signing the MOU. [Photo by VANK]
To foster digital diplomats, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, marking the 10th anniversary of the MOU with VANK, emphasized the potential of digital and metaverse spaces and the importance of public-private cooperation, and proceeded with partial revisions of the existing MOU. This MOU is part of the 'Second Five-Year Basic Plan for Public Diplomacy (2023?2027)' and mainly aims to strengthen public-private partnerships, including promoting digital public diplomacy activities among youth.
The MOU includes the new government's mid- to long-term public diplomacy blueprint to be applied over the next five years, such as ▲ strengthening strategic policy public diplomacy ▲ enhancing the status of a science and technology and cultural powerhouse ▲ building a digital and innovative public diplomacy ecosystem. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and VANK reached a consensus that imagination in digital and metaverse spaces can lead to the expansion of diplomatic horizons, and set major cooperation areas including ▲ education and management for nurturing digital diplomats ▲ spreading digital Korean Wave through social networking services (SNS).
In his opening remarks, Minister Park said, "VANK, which has been active as a cyber diplomatic mission for over 20 years, is an excellent partner of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs," and added, "We will develop digital public diplomacy through collaboration with VANK." He also referred to President Yoon Suk-yeol's initiative for a 'Digital Free Citizen Alliance' announced at the recent UN General Assembly and requested VANK's contribution to the digital free citizen alliance.
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