On April 22, 2025, VANK signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) to cooperate in fostering foreign students studying in Korea and outstanding domestic talent as “Korea Ambassadors” who will promote Korean history and culture to the world.
Currently, countries around the globe are eager to expand educational exchanges with Korea, and worldwide interest in the Korean language and culture is on the rise. Against this backdrop, the two organizations plan to provide practical education and support to help foreign students not only go beyond their majors to gain a deep understanding of Korea, but also convey Korean values on the global stage.
The NIIED, an executive agency under the Ministry of Education, has been leading international education with the goal of nurturing talent in Korea suited to the global era. It has positioned itself as a core institution of international education in Korea through initiatives such as attracting and managing foreign students, operating the Global Korea Scholarship (GKS) program, administering the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK), and promoting international educational cooperation.
VANK, founded to promote Korea to people around the world, has been training youth as “Korea Ambassadors” since its inception. Through these ambassadors, it has carried out digital diplomacy to provide accurate information about Korea to netizens worldwide. Many foreign nationals have also participated in VANK activities, playing an important role in promoting Korea’s history and culture across borders.
Through this agreement, the two organizations will jointly implement VANK’s “Correcting False Information about Korea” education program and its ambassador training program, in connection with NIIED’s main initiatives. In addition to using VANK’s online promotional channels to publicize both NIIED projects and joint initiatives, they will maintain close cooperation in various other areas requiring mutual collaboration.
Furthermore, NIIED’s policies and content will be more effectively shared with the public through VANK’s national policy communication platform Yeollim. Yeollim is a platform that introduces government policies and content in the fields of history, culture, tourism, and diplomacy, while providing a forum for citizens to share their opinions. This is expected to play a key role in spreading NIIED’s policies and activities online, while encouraging greater public interest and participation.
NIIED Director Han Sang-shin stated, “Korea is currently receiving worldwide attention in various fields including the economy and culture. By collaborating with VANK, we will establish a foundation for foreign students residing in Korea and outstanding domestic talent to understand each other’s cultures and engage in meaningful exchanges.” He added, “Through this, we aim to further expand sustainable educational exchanges and mutual understanding between Korea and countries around the world.”
He also emphasized, “By partnering with VANK, which excels in promoting accurate information about Korea, we can offer foreign students the opportunity to develop a deep understanding of the country they are studying in, beyond their academic majors, and help them grow into agents who accurately convey Korea to the world.” Concluding, he expressed confidence that “this cooperation will generate synergy in both the fields of international education and public diplomacy.”
VANK Director Park Ki-tae stated, “It is important not only for Korean talent but also for foreign students to have an accurate understanding of Korea’s history and culture. I believe that foreign students studying in Korea can play an important role in introducing the country to the world, just as foreign independence activist Homer Hulbert did.”
He continued, “We must actively support these students so they can grow into true friends of Korea who understand the nation correctly and convey its values and identity accurately to the world.”
Park further stressed, “Collaborating with NIIED to foster foreign students as Korea Public Relations Ambassadors will be a modern continuation of Homer Hulbert’s spirit and an important opportunity to fulfill his aspirations. These students will become key players in sharing Korea’s values and charms with the world, and this partnership will be a turning point in spreading a positive image of Korea globally.”
Meanwhile, VANK operates the national policy proposal and communication platforms Woollim and Yeollim to develop Korea’s outstanding policies as part of the Korean Wave (Hallyu). Through these platforms, VANK shares Korea’s policies with the world and contributes to improving global perceptions.
VANK hopes that through these efforts, the interest of the world’s 200 million Hallyu fans will expand beyond popular culture to embrace the richness and brilliance of Korea’s history as a whole. Furthermore, it plans to channel this momentum into what it calls the “K-Policy Hallyu,” where Korea’s policies influence global change.
Through the “K-Policy Hallyu,” VANK aims to transform 21st-century Korea into the center of Asia, the gateway to Northeast Asia, and a country that shares dreams and friendships with people around the world — ultimately establishing a national brand with Korea at the heart of global change.