The Voluntary Agency Network of Korea (VANK) will officially launch its international policy proposal and communication platform “Weform” on August 15, 2025, Korea’s Liberation Day.
Building on its experience operating the domestic participatory governance platforms “Woollim” and “Yeollim,” VANK has expanded the model into the international sphere with Weform, a new online citizen diplomacy platform. Weform allows anyone to present their opinions on international issues, develop them into policy proposals through public discussion, and potentially see them reflected in the work of international organizations or governments.
Before Weform’s official opening, VANK is running a pre-launch campaign until August 15 for people to experience it in advance. Each campaign topic is announced via VANK’s Instagram (@vank_prkorea), and participants can freely submit their ideas through the submission site.
For its third global agenda ahead of Weform’s August 15 launch, VANK has proposed “Responsible Development of the Arctic Sea Route.” This topic was chosen to encourage citizens to reflect on how the Arctic Sea Route—now emerging as a viable shipping route due to accelerating Arctic ice melt from climate change—should be developed. With the Korean government naming the development of the Arctic Sea Route as a national policy priority, there is growing recognition that Korean society must engage in social discussions on the matter.
The Arctic Sea Route is a new maritime transport route linking Asia and Europe through the Arctic Ocean. Compared to the traditional Suez Canal route, it can reduce the distance by about 7,000 km—down to approximately 15,000 km—and cut shipping time by around 10 days. It includes the Northeastern Passage along Russia’s northern coast, the Northwestern Passage along Canada’s northern coast, and the transpolar route via the central Arctic Ocean. As ice continues to melt, the route is becoming increasingly feasible, with experts predicting that even central Arctic routes could be open during summer by around 2030.
The Arctic Sea Route is drawing attention for its economic and stability advantages. The Suez Canal poses grounding risks, and the Strait of Hormuz often experiences disruptions to maritime logistics due to geopolitical instability. In contrast, the Arctic Sea Route is relatively free from such risks and is gaining traction as an alternative route that can reduce global supply chain volatility.
However, it also raises serious concerns: environmental damage, threats to Indigenous communities, lack of environmental regulations, and gaps in international law. Development of the Arctic Sea Route therefore requires global discussions that balance economic efficiency with international responsibility.
This campaign highlights both the opportunities and risks of Arctic Sea Route development, inviting citizens to share ideas on how to approach the issue responsibly. Through Weform, VANK aims to raise public awareness about Arctic issues and create a space for participants from diverse backgrounds to actively voice opinions on the international norms and development directions concerning the Arctic.
VANK Director Park Ki-tae said, “Now that the government is pushing the Arctic Sea Route as a national policy project, it is time for citizens to reflect on and voice their opinions about its development direction. The Arctic Sea Route is not just about opening a new route—it encompasses global challenges such as climate change response, environmental conservation, and international cooperation.”
He added, “The development process must ensure environmental protection, safeguard the rights of Indigenous communities, and secure fair agreements among various stakeholders. These are challenges the international community must address together.”
VANK Youth Researcher Park Ji-eun said, “The Arctic Sea Route is not just a sea lane—it symbolizes the values we choose between climate crisis mitigation and industrial development. This campaign is an opportunity for a mature civil society to interpret complex international interests from the public’s perspective and propose responsible principles.”
Youth Researcher Jeong In-sung added, “The Arctic represents the future of our planet, and we are now at a critical crossroads in shaping that future. The Weform campaign will be a venue for citizens across generations and nationalities to reflect on and propose new international standards for Arctic development. Every single citizen’s voice can be the starting point for forming new global norms.”
Previously, VANK’s pre-launch campaigns gathered citizen opinions on topics such as independence activist Ahn Jung-geun’s “On Peace in East Asia” and “Deep-Rooted Prejudices Against Africa.” Future topics will include “G7 Reform and Korea’s Potential Participation” on July 31 and “A New Consultative Body Led by Korea” on August 7.
All campaigns can be found on VANK’s official Instagram (@vank_prkorea), and anyone can participate via the VANK campaign site. Through Weform, VANK aims to usher in a new era of global governance in which citizens are not mere recipients but active agents in shaping and solving international issues.
VANK notes that with the “K-pop Demon Hunters” OST recently ranking third on the Billboard 200, and with Korean music, dramas, and films driving a global Hallyu wave, it is time for Korea’s international diplomacy to have a similar global impact. As a cultural powerhouse with 200 million Hallyu fans worldwide, Korea can leverage its influence in popular culture to make its mark on international politics and diplomacy, potentially becoming a global role model that guides people around the world.
Looking ahead, VANK plans to design and operate the international policy platform so that Koreans can help 21st-century Korea exert influence on international diplomacy on a level surpassing the UN, rise as the center of Asia and the gateway to Northeast Asia, and become a nation that shares dreams and friendships with countries around the globe.