1. The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held an “outreach briefing session on global youth” at Pusan National University on October 26 to give young students in Busan information on programs designed to support youth seeking job opportunities abroad.

2. At the briefing session, about 300 students in Busan, including Pusan National University students, were provided with an opportunity to compare around ten programs, including programs aimed at supporting youth seeking employment at international organizations, internship programs at regional organizations in Latin America, and working holiday programs, and to find a program that is right for them.

3. Officials of the Foreign Ministry and the Korea International Cooperation Agency in charge of the programs offered explanations on them, and held one-on-one consultations, during which they answered questions from participants.

4. The officials said that there are quite a number of programs for which students with relatively low levels of language proficiency can apply, and that those who participate in overseas volunteer programs, as well as internship programs at international organizations, are provided with various assistance, including living expenses and air fares.

5. Regarding concerns on security in some countries, a Foreign Ministry official in charge of internship programs in Latin America said that in case of internship programs at regional organizations in Latin America, there was a case where the dispatch of participants to countries in unstable security situations had been suspended, and explained that participants can join programs, paying heed to safety information and keeping in contact with the ROK’s overseas diplomatic missions.

6. Regarding high entry barriers faced by students seeking employment at international organizations, a Foreign Ministry official in charge of programs supporting youth seeking job opportunities at international organizations said that about 80 percent of Junior Professional Officers are getting into international organizations, and explained that to enter international organizations, it is important to accumulate work experience in related areas, as well as various experiences, such as those of participating in overseas internship programs and the United Nations Volunteers (UNV) program.

7. The Foreign Ministry launched the global youth campaign in May to support Korean youth seeking job opportunities abroad and effectively provide related information to them, and has held “outreach briefing sessions on global youth” in various regions in response to young people’s interest and demands. Following the briefing session at Pusan National University, the Foreign Ministry will also hold an “outreach briefing session on global youth” at Kyonggi University in Suwon on November 17.


* unofficial translation