A new global policy platform spearheaded by VANK (Voluntary Agency Network of Korea) has officially launched, aiming to transform individual social awareness into global policy discussions through a unique model of digital governance.
The platform, titled ‘Weform’ — a combination of “We” and “Reform” — is designed to encourage global citizens to identify and share pressing issues from their local communities, turning personal insight into international dialogue. Framed as a participatory diplomatic ecosystem, Weform is being hailed as an innovative tool for civic engagement in global affairs.
At its core, Weform features a structured system that enables users to explore social challenges in their respective societies and contribute them to a global discourse. One of its sub-projects, ‘I’mpart’, invites participants to expand personal experiences into discussions on broader global issues such as culture, technology, and the environment — facilitating the transition from individual concern to collective action.
A key agenda item unveiled with the platform’s rollout is a proposal to leverage the cultural power of the Korean Wave (Hallyu) to address global social issues. Going beyond merely exporting Korean culture, Weform seeks to position Hallyu as a catalyst for societal change and civic engagement worldwide.
This vision is not without precedent. K-pop fandoms and K-drama audiences have already demonstrated a capacity for global solidarity, having engaged in activities such as international fundraising, human rights advocacy, and disaster relief efforts. Recent Korean cultural exports like Squid Game, Parasite, and Han Kang’s novel Human Acts have brought issues like income inequality, social mobility, and democratic values into the international spotlight, proving that media can serve as a powerful medium for social awareness.
VANK is working to build on this momentum by creating a framework where cultural narratives evolve beyond emotional connection into policy-driven activism. The organization views this as a new form of “cultural-based global activism,” where the consumption of culture leads naturally to civic participation and even concrete policy proposals.
Kim Yerae, a young researcher who helped shape the Hallyu agenda for Weform, explained:
“Korean content today is empowering global citizens to reflect on the problems in their own societies and reinterpret them through a broader, international lens. When the social issues raised by Korean media — such as inequality, class structures, and democratic suppression — resonate with global audiences, the result can be more than just empathy. It can lead to real-world action. That’s what Weform aims to facilitate — a space where cultural experience translates into social engagement and policy dialogue.”
VANK Director Park Ki-tae echoed this vision, noting:
“With Weform, we are proposing a citizen-led model of international cooperation — one where an individual idea can grow into a global agenda and ultimately take shape as a policy proposal. Our goal is for Korea’s cultural assets, particularly Hallyu with its 200 million fans worldwide, to serve as a foundation for new global governance structures — potentially with an influence rivaling that of international organizations like the UN.”
Now fully operational, Weform is open to anyone around the world who wishes to share their views on global challenges or participate in discussions on social issues. In addition to the Hallyu agenda, the platform is currently exploring a wide array of topics including correcting misinformation in AI systems and reshaping perceptions of Africa. The initiative also serves as a testbed for evaluating how public input can shape policy discussions and agenda-setting at the international level.
To ensure that user contributions have real-world impact, Weform is developing a mechanism to compile feedback and discussions, which will be presented to international forums and civic networks as concrete proposals. The Hallyu-themed agenda is one of many topics open for global input, and VANK plans to incorporate these insights into future advocacy and policymaking efforts.
Looking ahead, VANK also aims to support young people and citizens in turning their online ideas into offline campaigns and projects. By tying Weform’s agendas to its broader ambassador program, the organization hopes to foster a participatory diplomacy model — one where citizens are not just observers but active architects of international dialogue and change.