On March 26, 2025, the Voluntary Agency Network of Korea (VANK) and Yonhap News Agency signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) at Yonhap’s headquarters in Jongno, Seoul, to expand exchanges between Korea and Africa.
Prior to the signing, VANK Director Park Ki-tae, youth researchers Kwon So-young, Koo Seung-hyun, Lee Jeong-woo, and Park Ji-eun held a preliminary meeting with Yonhap News Agency President Hwang Dae-il. The discussion focused on collaborative efforts to correct misconceptions and stereotypes about Africa.
Hwang Dae-il stated, “Distorted perceptions and prejudices about Africa are built from small misunderstandings, but these can sometimes lead to serious conflicts, such as civil wars within the continent. Efforts to address these misunderstandings at the civilian level are crucial. With the strengths of Yonhap and VANK’s global networks and Africa-focused information platforms, we will do our best to correct false perceptions and contribute to ending civil conflicts in Africa.”
VANK youth researcher Kwon So-young emphasized, “This agreement marks an important first step toward forming a genuine national partnership between Korea and Africa. VANK and Yonhap will act as leaders in civilian diplomacy, serving as a bridge connecting Korea with Africa, the ‘land of opportunity.’”
Youth researcher Koo Seung-hyun added, “In the past, Africa was seen simply as a continent in need of our help. Now, we approach it with a mindset of ‘growing together’ to inform the world accurately about Africa.”
Lee Jeong-woo said, “Sharing a history of colonization, Africa and Korea can move beyond aid-based relations to become true friends.”
Through this agreement, VANK and Yonhap News Agency will explore various collaborative initiatives to correct misconceptions about Africa and promote accurate knowledge of the continent at the civilian diplomacy level.
Both organizations plan to train “Global Ubuntu Ambassadors” to spread accurate information about Africa and counter distorted, Western-centered perceptions. Ubuntu is an African philosophy meaning “I am because we are,” emphasizing mutual respect and cooperation, which forms the core value of this partnership.
The Global Ubuntu Ambassador program will play a key role in highlighting Africa’s potential to the world. Ambassadors will monitor content in textbooks, knowledge resources, websites, and online platforms, correcting inaccuracies and addressing prejudice. As distortions about Africa from the West persist domestically, reviewing and improving Africa-related content in educational materials is essential. Youth ambassadors will take a leading role in correcting these misconceptions.
Additionally, VANK and Yonhap News Agency plan to launch awareness campaigns showcasing Africa’s history, culture, and economic potential. By producing diverse content that helps audiences understand African development, these efforts are expected to strengthen mutual understanding and exchange between Korea and Africa.
Since 2009, VANK and Yonhap News Agency have hosted the annual “National Brand-Up Exhibition” at the National Museum of Korea. The upcoming exhibition will reflect the brand value of African countries and further strengthen relations with Korea.
Leveraging its global network and experience, VANK plans to expand the Hallyu fanbase into Africa and promote social and cultural exchange between Korea and the continent. This will help Korea play a significant role in sharing Africa’s history and culture with the world while enhancing Korea’s international profile and national brand.
The agreement marks an important first step in practicing the spirit of Ubuntu, fostering mutual respect and cooperation between Korea and Africa.
Following the signing, Director Park Ki-tae stated, “Over the past 20 years, VANK has corrected misconceptions and distortions about Korea’s history and culture. Now, building on the Ubuntu spirit, we aim to address prejudices about Africa originating from Western perspectives. By training Global Ubuntu Ambassadors, we will work with youth to showcase Africa’s potential and review Africa-related policies and content through VANK’s policy proposal and communication platforms, Woollim and Yeollim, engaging the public in this process.” He added, “VANK and Yonhap News Agency will contribute to the global community by ensuring that the national brands of all countries are respected and their value recognized.”
Hwang Dae-il said, “VANK has played an important role in civilian diplomacy by accurately promoting Korea’s history and culture worldwide. Expanding these efforts to Africa, VANK will become a new bridge of communication between Korea and the continent. Yonhap News Agency has focused on ‘Promote Africa Correctly’ since establishing the Ubuntu Promotion Team last November. In partnership with VANK, we will now connect Africa and Korea through the spirit of Ubuntu.”
After the MOU signing, VANK held a follow-up meeting with Yonhap News Agency’s Ubuntu Promotion Team, including Director Ko Woong-seok, Project Team Leader Kim Min-ki, Content Team Leader Kim Sung-jin, and Deputy Team Leader Kim Jae-geun.
During the meeting, youth researcher Lee Jeong-woo shared the story of Ivorian footballer Didier Drogba, who played a key role in ending civil war, expressing hope that the collaboration could similarly contribute to peace in Africa. He stated, “Just as Drogba knelt in front of cameras and sincerely asked for the war to stop, we hope to lead meaningful change for peace and cooperation in Africa.”
Youth researcher Park Ji-eun said, “The Ubuntu spirit, meaning ‘I am because you are,’ applies to the VANK-Yonhap collaboration. It is a core value that can play a key role in ending civil conflicts in Africa. I will participate with the mindset that ‘we struggle together,’ in the spirit of Ubuntu.”
Youth researcher Koo Seung-hyun commented, “Negative perceptions of Africa have roots in the colonial era. Western powers’ divisions and restructuring of territories have shaped the continent’s current unnatural structure. We aim to correct these historical misconceptions and showcase Africa’s potential from multiple perspectives.”
Youth researcher Hong Dan-bi added, “Spreading accurate knowledge about Africa is an important educational effort. If Korean youth take the lead in fostering correct understanding, it will greatly promote the spirit of Ubuntu. We plan to create online content to share this philosophy worldwide.”
Youth researcher Koo Seung-hyun said, “Korea and Africa share a history of colonial suffering, allowing both to deeply understand each other’s pain. Moving beyond simple aid, the two countries now pursue development as true partners based on mutual respect and cooperation. This collaboration will exemplify genuine national partnership.”
VANK continues to operate its policy proposal and communication platforms, Woollim and Yeollim, to develop Korean policies as part of Hallyu, share them globally, and enhance international awareness.