In celebration of the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation and the March 1st Movement, VANK has launched Yeollim, a new national policy communication platform. Yeollim bridges the gap between the government and the public, providing open access to policies and encouraging citizen participation in national decision-making.
Launching on March 1, 2025, Yeollim will enable transparent communication across history, society, culture, diplomacy, and tourism. Citizens can engage in discussions, share feedback, and influence governance. VANK emphasizes that this aligns with the core spirit of Korean democracy, echoing Ahn Chang-ho’s 1920 declaration: “All power belongs to the people.”
Ahn’s vision, rooted in Korea’s democratic principles, lives on in Article 1, Section 2 of the Korean Constitution: “Sovereignty resides in the people.” As political and historical debates deepen, his philosophy offers a timeless approach to strengthening national sovereignty through civic engagement.
Yeollim is a collaborative effort supported by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Korea Heritage Service, and international partners like UNESCO Asia-Pacific Intangible Cultural Heritage Center. Additionally, Gyeonggi Province, Ulleung County, and Cheongju Early Printing Museum contribute to this global initiative.
Through Woollim, VANK has enabled citizens to propose policies. Now, Yeollim will focus on sharing policies and gathering public input. By fostering dialogue, it will empower citizens as active sovereigns, reflecting collective will in policymaking.
VANK’s Director Park Ki-tae stated, “Amid today’s social and political conflicts, Ahn Chang-ho’s ideals remain valid. Platforms like Woollim and Yeollim make these democratic values actionable.” Researcher Kwon So-young emphasized that “the people as the emperor” can be realized through modern public participation. Youth researcher Seong Hye-seung highlighted that citizen-led governance is key to democracy, and Koo Seung-hyun expressed hope that Yeollim would inspire civic engagement by 2025.