Lee Hae-rin is a City Desk reporter at The Korea Times, covering social issues, tourism and taekwondo. She is passionate about speaking up for the rights of minorities, including women, LGBTQ+, people with disabilities and animals as well as discovering the latest makgeolli trend in town. Feel free to reach her at lhr@koreatimes.co.kr.
Winners of 10th Korea Multicultural Youth Awards Outstanding middle school students
Lee has linguistic talents, compassion for others
Lee Yu-rim
By Lee Hae-rin
Lee Yu-rim is in her second year at Hopyeong Middle School, Namyangju, Gyeonggi Province. Born to a Japanese father and a Korean mother, Lee is an exemplary student who developed her linguistic talents with diligence and excels in her academic performance.
Lee plays a leading role on her school's student council as the vice president. She helped lead the zero waste challenge on the campus and actively gathers students' ideas to develop and carry out school activities and events.
She shows great diligence and talents in academic achievement, especially in the linguistic fields. Lee had full marks in Korean and English last semester and has won several awards in writing competitions. Lee has been studying English, Japanese and Chinese as she wishes to attend a foreign language high school.
Beyond her scholastic achievements, Lee offers her talents in volunteering activities to help others. As a publicity ambassador of the school, she made the school's online newspaper. She puts her passion for the environment into action by leading several student-led campaigns.
Lee dreams of becoming a diplomat to help those who have difficulties in communicating in foreign languages.
Wu's creativity and perseverance shine in leadership, academic achievements
Wu Zhengxiu
Born to Chinese parents, Wu Zhengxiu is a second grader at Sunil Middle School in Ansan, Gyeonggi Province.
Wu overcame a language barrier in Korean with diligence and endless effort. When he first arrived in Korea, he reached out to his colleagues to improve his Korean skills and quickly mastered the language. He continues to improve his Korean, which now is nearly perfect, to express his thoughts more creatively and effectively.
He has achieved outstanding scholastic accomplishments and activities through his self-driven, hard work. Not only has he been given accolades for scoring at the top of his class, but also Wu is praised by many for his warm-hearted and thoughtful attitudes toward the people around him. He demonstrates a particular strength in embracing others and reaching out to those in need. Before the pandemic, he actively volunteered at local welfare facilities for children.
Wu is also a creative problem-solver who has won several awards at competitions, including an invention contest outside of school.
During the pandemic, Wu decided to become a pharmacist to help people suffering from diseases in marginalized parts of the world.