- Enhancing MOFA-VANK Partnership to Foster Young Talent in Public Diplomacy -

- 【Related National Policy Task】120-4. Advancing Public Diplomacy in Partnership with People to Connect Korea with the World -

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MOFA), together with the Voluntary Agency Network of Korea (VANK), held the “appointment ceremony for the 13th group of MOFA-VANK Digital Metaverse Diplomats” at the MOFA headquarters on Monday, December 22. At the ceremony, appointment certificates were awarded to a total of 41 young Koreans.

Since 2023, MOFA has implemented the Digital Metaverse Diplomats program jointly with VANK to strengthen digital public diplomacy capacities of Korean youth and expand their participation in public diplomacy. To date, a total of 709 individuals have been appointed as Digital Metaverse Diplomats.

※ Digital Metaverse Diplomats Program

ㅇ Each quarter, 100 to 200 young Koreans are selected to carry out public diplomacy missions in digital spaces.

ㅇ Out of those participants, outstanding ones are presented with appointment certificates as Digital Metaverse Diplomats.

ㅇ The program is operated by VANK, while MOFA supports it by providing special lecture videos by diplomats, among others.

The newly appointed Digital Metaverse Diplomats conducted various public diplomacy projects online between November 8 (Sat.) and December 2 (Tue.), including ▴creating digital contents to promote Korea, ▴operating virtual Korean embassies and/or cultural centers, and ▴identifying and correcting misinformation about Korea found online.  

This appointment ceremony was the first to be held in person at the MOFA headquarters since the launch of the program. On this occasion, MOFA announced plans to further strengthen its collaboration with VANK, including bolstering support for the program and current and former diplomats offering mentorship to young participants.

Going forward, MOFA will continue to work with VANK to nurture young talent in public diplomacy and strengthen their global engagement capabilities, fulfilling the national policy task of “advancing public diplomacy in partnership with people to connect Korea with the world.”