I cover a wide range of stories about Korean society — one of the most dynamic places in the world. To me, journalism means being on the ground, uncovering untold stories and amplifying marginalized voices, especially in an era when AI is reshaping the media landscape. That’s why I’m always here to listen. Tips and stories are welcome — feel free to reach out via email. Before becoming a journalist, I traveled through 24 countries over 702 days, served two years as a military police officer in the Republic of Korea Air Force and later studied filmmaking at the Korea National University of Arts.
Global Korea Awards winners share experiences with gender minister
Minister of Gender Equality and Family Won Min-kyung, sixth from right, poses with winners of the Global Korea Awards at Government Complex Seoul in Jongno District, Thursday. From left are Korea Times Managing Director of Content and Business Planning Kim Jae-kyoung, Kang Ye-jin, Andrua Haque, Selma Naciri, Shadikhodjaeva Asilakhon Sherzodovna, Korea Times President-Publisher Oh Young-jin, Won, Chae Yu-jin, Ju Ye-bom, Kim Eun-woo, Kim Hyun-jin and Upbit Investor Protection Center Director Lee Hae-boong. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
By Park Ung
Multicultural youth call for policies moving beyond awareness into careers, lifelong support
Outstanding students from multicultural backgrounds shared their stories and policy ideas with Minister of Gender Equality and Family Won Min-kyong, turning their personal experiences into proposals for change.
Winners of the Global Korea Awards — hosted by The Korea Times to support multicultural students who often encounter hurdles rooted in cultural differences or language barriers — gathered for a luncheon with Won at Government Complex Seoul in Jongno District, Thursday.
“I read about each of your backgrounds and achievements. You are all truly remarkable,” Won said, explaining that the ministry is shifting from awareness campaigns toward policies that respond to what multicultural families and immigrant-background youth actually need.
“We all share this planet. That common ground calls us to reject discrimination and build a society where young people of all backgrounds stand equal,” she said.
Korea Times President-Publisher Oh Young-jin noted that multiculturalism, once an unfamiliar concept when the awards launched 15 years ago, has become a natural part of Korean society.
“Seeing each of our winners, I feel a great sense of pride,” Oh said, adding that Korea, now playing an increasingly important role on the world stage, must embrace diversity to build on that standing.
Upbit Investor Protection Center Director Lee Hae-boong echoed the sentiment, pledging the company's continued support for multicultural youth. Dunamu, operator of Korea's largest cryptocurrency exchange Upbit, is one of the sponsors of the awards.
“If you put down strong roots, a brilliant future will find its way to you,” Lee said.
The students also took the floor, each drawing from their own backgrounds to share stories and policy ideas.
Winners of the Global Korea Awards join a mentoring session for multicultural youth at Government Complex Seoul in Jongno District, Thursday. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul
Selma Naciri, born to a Korean mother and a Moroccan father who later became a naturalized Korean, said education in schools has long cast multicultural youth as people who need to be helped rather than as individuals with strengths of their own.
“Multicultural youth are not people who need help, but people with potential,” she said, suggesting career programs that draw on their cultural and linguistic strengths. Hoping to pursue a career in diplomacy, she added that her goal is to help build a framework for shared growth between Korea and Morocco.
Shadikhodjaeva Asilakhon Sherzodovna, born and raised in Korea to Uzbek parents, said years of feeling like an outsider eventually became artistic fuel. “I hope more students can find ways to express their identities, like I did with art,” she said, noting that her art led her to become a student at Korea National University of Arts, where she is currently in her first year.
Andrua Haque, a graduate student at Seoul National University, volunteered as a mentor for children of migrant workers, helping students from Timor-Leste settle into life in Korea. Born here to Bangladeshi parents, he spent his school years living in Australia, Brunei and Kuwait.
Ju Ye-bom of Sogang University, who left North Korea with her parents at age 15, said she settled in with community and school support when she first arrived in South Korea, but struggled at university with limited networks and information access.
“Policy should extend beyond initial settlement to cover the full life cycle, linking career, mentoring and psychosocial programs,” she said.
After the luncheon, Haque and Ju ran a mentoring session to share their experiences. Ju said accepting her North Korean background lifted a long-held burden and that when she eventually opened up to friends, they took it in stride. Haque noted moving between countries throughout his life allowed him to learn and experience the social challenges each society faces.
Participants also opened up about the struggles many multicultural youth face, such as how much to hold onto their original identities or assimilate into the society around them, and exchanged advice on navigating those challenges.