Multicultural youth is future asset of Korea

By Kim Joon-sik

We, the judges, felt great satisfaction for the privilege of evaluating the applicants for the fifth Korea Multicultural Youth Awards organized by The Korea Times.

We could see again that most of the young people from interracial families have been growing well in Korea.

This year, the applicants were children of marriage immigrants from not only Asian countries including China, Japan, Vietnam, the Philippines and Uzbekistan, but also Western countries such as the United Kingdom and Canada. This means Korea has become more ethnically diverse.

Korea is not a racially homogeneous nation anymore. Now it’s a multicultural society where people of various ethnicities are enjoying being part of diverse religions and cultures.

As in previous years, applicants were doing great in the classroom and serving their schools and local communities actively as student leaders and in volunteer groups. I believe they will become outstanding leaders of Korea in the future.

They are showing their talents in sports and the arts as well. I’m sure they will help Korea shine in various fields.

Particularly this year, many of the applicants were bilingual or trilingual, being fluent in Korean, English and their father or mother’s mother tongue. It proves that the efforts by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and related agencies to foster bilingual talent are bearing fruit.

In his speech during his visit to Korea last month, World Economic Forum Chairman Klaus Schwab noted that in the Fourth Industrial Revolution era, countries and companies with “innovation” will hold a more dominant position than those with capital. Saying innovation requires talented people with diverse backgrounds, he suggested Korea make even greater efforts for policies on gender equality and immigration.

In October, 80 scientists from 44 countries showed their research after observing about 30 million trees in the world. This research shows that forests with more diverse types of trees are more likely to flourish with higher productivity. It scientifically proves the power of diversity. I think it’s the same for mankind.

Yes it is. Multicultural children in Korea will be a great asset for the nation. Therefore, we should encourage them with endless support.

Furthermore, we should strengthen education for the public and for young people to increase their receptivity toward cultural diversity. I hope more education programs will teach indigenous people ways in which they can get along with people having different religions, cultures and ethnicities. This means education so they can be global citizens.

We, the judges, strongly believe that the Korea Multicultural Youth Awards by The Korea Times are meaningful in that they encourage multicultural young people to have their own identity. We sincerely hope these awards will be recognized more widely.

Last, but not least, I would like to heartily congratulate the award winners.

Kim Joon-sik, honorary chairman of Asian Friends, headed the jury for the 5th Korea Multicultural Youth Awards.