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  • Government Urged to Provide Clear Housing Supply Plans for Greater Seoul Area
    Government Urged to Provide Clear Housing Supply Plans for Greater Seoul Area 강훈식 대통령 비서실장은 23일 수도권 주택 공급과 관련해 “언제, 어디서, 얼마만큼 공급되는지 명확한 일정을 제시해야 한다”고 강조했다. 강 실장은 이날 서울 종로구 총리공관에서 열린 고위당정협의회 모두발언에서 “주택 공급은 무엇보다 시장에 주는 신호가 중요하다”며 “주거 불안은 막연한 약속이 아니라 구체적인 계획으로 해소할 수 있다”고 밝혔다. 특히 강 실장은 수도권 주택 공급에서 가장 어려운 과제로 용지 확보를 꼽았다. 그는 “수도권 공급 확대의 핵심은 용지 확보”라며 “지역 사정에 밝은 여당 지역위원장과 지방자치단체장들이 단기간에 확보할 수 있는 주택 용지를 제시한다면 청와대가 적극적으로 검토하겠다”고 약속했다. 정부가 공급 물량을 일방적으로 정하는 방식에서 벗어나 지역 현장에 밝은 여당과 지방정부의 제안을 반영해 가용 용지를 추가로 발굴하겠다는 의미로 풀이된다. 또한 강 실장은 내년도 세제개편안에 대해서는 국민 의견을 반영해 정책의 완성도를 높이겠다는 방침을 밝혔다. 강 실장은 정부가 지난 3일 잠재성장률 반등 지원과 민생경제·지방 지원 확대, 공정과세를 위한 조세개혁에 중점을 둔 세제개편안을 발표했다고 설명했다. 이어 “세제개편안은 결정된 정책을 일방적으로 발표한 것이 아니라 국민의 의견을 듣기 위한 출발점”이라며 “이재명 정부는 어느 정부보다 국민의 목소리에 귀를 기울이고 합리적인 의견을 정책에 반영하는 데 주저하지 않고 있다”고 강조했다. 강 실장은 입법예고 기간에 접수된 국민 의견과 당·정부·청와대가 각각 청취한 현장의 목소리를 충분히 검토해야 한다고 주문했다. 그러면서 “현장의 목소리를 다시 세심하게 살펴 정책의 완성도와 국민 수용성을 한층 높여야 한다”고 역설했다. 정기국회를 앞두고 민생·경제 법안의 신속한 처리도 요청했다. 강 실장은 “정책이 국민의 삶 속에서 구현되는 마지막 단계는 입법”이라며 “법과 제도로 완성되지 않으면 국민이 정책의 효과를 체감하기 어렵다”고 지적했다. 이어 “정부는 시급한 민생·경제 법안의 우선순위를 분명히 하고 국회에 법안의 필요성을 설명할 것”이라며 “여야의 폭넓은 공감대를 이끌어 국민에게 필요한 법안이 처리되기를 바란다”고 밝혔다. 강 실장은 “당·정·청이 원팀이 돼 긴밀히 소통하고 국민이 체감하는 성과로 답해야 한다”며 “국민께 드린 약속을 하나하나 성과와 결과로 만들어 대체 불가 대한민국으로 나가겠다”고 말했다.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-23 11:44:10
  • AI Revolutionizes Agriculture in South Korea
    AI Revolutionizes Agriculture in South Korea "The transition to artificial intelligence is an innovation that goes beyond simple technology adoption, enhancing the reliability and quality of public services provided by the Korea Rural Community Corporation (KRC)." Kim In-jung, president of KRC, is accelerating the integration of AI in agriculture. The focus is on using AI to predict droughts and water shortages, manage agricultural water efficiently, and ensure safety in rural areas. At first glance, agriculture and AI may seem unrelated. However, with the aging rural population, labor shortages, and the climate crisis, agriculture has emerged as one of the sectors most in need of AI. Before AI can directly engage in farming, a competition has begun to create an "AI-friendly farming environment." Data is the new competitive edge in agriculture. One of the most critical resources in agriculture is water. It is essential to accurately assess when it will rain, how much water is left in reservoirs, and which areas require more water. The challenge lies in climate change. With extreme droughts and heavy rainfall becoming more frequent, managing agricultural water based solely on past experiences and statistics is increasingly difficult. This is where AI comes into play. By analyzing vast amounts of data, including weather information, reservoir levels, crop conditions, and water demand, AI can identify the likelihood of droughts and water shortages earlier. It can also provide more precise assessments of when and where water is needed. A key feature of KRC's AI transition is that AI will be integrated directly into rural areas. Satellites monitor farmland, and AI predicts water shortages. KRC is also participating in the European Union's research and innovation program, Horizon Europe, this year. Through the PROTEUS project, which involves 19 institutions across nine countries, KRC aims to combine satellite data with on-site measurements. The goal is to develop a model that can detect drought and crop stress early and suggest optimal agricultural water supply solutions. Satellites observe the condition of farmland. Sensors collect data from the field. AI analyzes the potential for drought and water shortages. Based on these results, agricultural water is supplied to the necessary areas. In the past, responses were made after droughts occurred; in the future, AI will predict droughts, allowing proactive measures in agriculture. AI also detects algal blooms before they occur. AI is being utilized for water quality management in agricultural reservoirs. KRC employs an AI water quality prediction system that uses historical water quality data and weather information to predict reservoirs at high risk for algal blooms and respond proactively. Previously, the approach was to check the site and respond after algal blooms occurred. With AI, the process changes. Data is collected, and AI analyzes risks, allowing for early identification of reservoirs that are likely to have problems. The true value of AI lies not in quickly generating reports after issues arise but in detecting risks before they become problems. Kim In-jung's bold move: KRC-AX Kim is expanding this transformation beyond individual projects to a comprehensive AI transition across the organization. KRC launched the KRC-AI Strategy Committee at the end of 2025 and established the KRC-AX initiative. Kim serves as the committee's chair. Key objectives include building an AX foundation, achieving zero major accidents through AI, innovating operations via AI, and engaging the public with AI. Ethical standards for AI have also been established to prepare for potential risks associated with expanded AI use. This is not merely about introducing a few AI programs in the information department; it signifies a fundamental shift in how agriculture and rural management will be conducted, centered around AI. AI colleagues will also emerge alongside employees. AI is making its way into KRC's offices as well. The organization is implementing a KRC generative AI system that provides employees with relevant information by searching internal documents and data in response to their inquiries. KRC handles many specialized tasks related to farmland, agricultural water, rural development, and production infrastructure. The vast amount of accumulated project data, regulations, and field experience over decades is significant. By connecting this knowledge with AI, the experiences held by individual employees can be shared across the entire organization. Kim described this as "a turning point that fundamentally innovates the way the organization operates and its decision-making structure." Employees will transition from merely searching for documents to making decisions alongside AI. AI will also be the first to identify risks in rural areas. KRC manages not only farmland but also numerous facilities such as reservoirs, waterways, and drainage systems across the country. Thus, safety management is a crucial area for AI application. One of the main strategies of KRC-AX is achieving zero major accidents through AI. The use of smart safety equipment, such as AI CCTV, will help identify risks on-site more quickly. In the future, if AI analyzes data collected by sensors and CCTV in real-time, the chances of detecting risky behaviors or anomalies in facilities that humans might overlook will increase. This represents a shift from post-incident investigations to a proactive safety management approach where AI identifies potential accidents before they occur. Next comes "Agricultural Physical AI." What is noteworthy is the next phase. Currently, AI primarily plays a role in data analysis and supporting human judgment. However, when AI connects with agricultural machinery, robots, reservoirs, waterways, and automated agricultural facilities, the narrative changes. Weather AI predicts rainfall. Agricultural water AI calculates the amount of water needed for each crop. Sensors monitor the status of reservoirs and waterways. Automated facilities deliver water where needed. Robots and autonomous agricultural machinery operate based on crop conditions. This is the vision of "Agricultural Physical AI." KRC's strength lies here. While it is not a big tech company developing AI models, it possesses vast physical environments such as farmland, reservoirs, waterways, and drainage systems where AI can operate effectively. This could become a massive testbed where AI and the real world intersect. Could South Korea's "AI agriculture" become an export industry? The potential extends beyond domestic borders. Agriculture worldwide faces similar challenges as South Korea. Climate change is exacerbating water shortages, and rural populations are declining. Productivity must increase while using less water and energy. If South Korea can integrate its expertise in agricultural water management, smart farming, agricultural machinery, and AI prediction technologies, a new export model could emerge. Rather than exporting a single smart farm, the goal would be to export a "K-AI agricultural package" that combines agricultural water management, smart farming, agricultural machinery, and AI. This approach could create new markets for South Korean agricultural AI, especially in countries in Asia, the Middle East, and Africa that are simultaneously facing water shortages and labor shortages in rural areas. The era of AI in agriculture is upon us. The national transition to AI is not limited to semiconductors, data centers, and manufacturing. Agriculture, directly linked to food production, is also at the forefront of the AI transition. KRC's AI strategy has two main branches. One is to transform the working methods of employees and the organization through generative AI. The other is to bring AI into agricultural water management, drought, water quality, disaster, and safety management in real rural settings. When these two trends converge, the face of agriculture will change. Agriculture will shift from being experience-dependent to data-driven, from reactive to proactive in disaster response, and from human-only management to a collaborative approach between AI and humans. The core of this transformation is not AI replacing human labor in farming but rather enabling humans to farm more safely and efficiently with less water and labor. This is why KRC, which has managed South Korea's agricultural water and farmland, is gaining renewed attention in the AI era. : Kim In-jung, President of KRC: Kim is a seasoned agricultural policy expert, having served as the director of the Rural Policy Bureau and the Food Policy Bureau at the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs, as well as deputy minister. He was appointed as the 12th president of KRC in May 2025. He leads the KRC-AI Strategy Committee, establishing KRC-AX and ethical standards for AI, and is driving the integration of AI into agricultural water management, disaster response, safety management, and overall internal operations at KRC.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-23 11:44:00
  • Kim Min-seok: Long-Term Holding Tax Exemption Should Not Negatively Impact Rental Market
    Kim Min-seok: Long-Term Holding Tax Exemption Should Not Negatively Impact Rental Market Kim Min-seok, the leader of the Democratic Party, emphasized on August 23 that the government should ensure that any reforms to the long-term holding tax exemption (long-term holding special deduction) do not adversely affect the rental market. He made these remarks during a high-level party-government meeting, his first since taking office as party leader.At the 10th high-level party-government meeting held at the Prime Minister's residence in Samcheong-dong, Seoul, Kim acknowledged the government's proposal to abolish the long-term holding tax exemption as having a positive aspect in promoting a real residence-centered housing market. However, he cautioned that any changes should be carefully monitored to avoid negative repercussions on the rental market.Kim also called for the government to recognize a variety of reasons for non-resident homeowners to ensure they are not adversely affected. He stated that there needs to be in-depth discussions regarding the government's plans to adjust the comprehensive real estate tax exemption amounts and raise the tax burden cap to 200%.He highlighted that the proposed reforms to real estate taxation and housing supply in the metropolitan area are of significant public interest, and he pledged to engage in vigorous discussions with the government to establish policies that benefit the public.Furthermore, Kim stressed the necessity for aggressive expansion of housing supply in the metropolitan area to ensure residential stability for citizens, promising that the party would actively support these efforts.He stated, "We must mobilize all available means and methods to secure land and expand real estate supply," adding that the party will focus on legislative activities to expedite approval processes and eliminate various regulations to enhance the speed of real estate supply.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-23 11:36:00
  • South Korean Prime Minister Expresses Regret Over Police Investigation Failures
    South Korean Prime Minister Expresses Regret Over Police Investigation Failures South Korean Prime Minister Han Seung-soo expressed strong regret on August 23 over the controversy surrounding the police's handling of recent missing person investigations in Jeju. He directed a thorough investigation into the matter and called for measures to prevent future occurrences.In an emergency directive issued that morning, Han instructed the National Police Agency to conduct a comprehensive investigation into the entire process of the missing person case.He further ordered a meticulous review to ensure there were no instances of the police prematurely closing cases or mishandling reports of missing persons, and requested a prompt report on fundamental prevention measures.Han also emphasized the need to mobilize all available police resources to search for missing individuals and to respond strictly to prank calls or fake news that exacerbate the distress of the families of the missing.The controversy arose following criticisms of the police's initial response and search efforts related to a missing person case in Jeju, highlighting the need for improvements in the police's missing person investigation system.Mi-ran Jang, who went missing after leaving her home in Hallim-eup on the night of May 12, has been unaccounted for for over three months.* This article has been translated by AI. 2026-08-23 11:32:10
  • KB Bank taps foreign residents to reshape services for growing customer base
    KB Bank taps foreign residents to reshape services for growing customer base SEOUL, August 23 (AJP) - KB Kookmin Bank is bringing foreign residents into its product feedback process as the Korean lender expands financial services targeting the country's growing international population. The bank said Saturday it launched the first group of "KB Global Star Supporters," a 12-member customer panel made up of foreign residents in their 20s to 40s. The panel will test KB's banking services, including foreign exchange products, and provide feedback on inconveniences, accessibility and potential improvements through surveys and other assignments. KB said it plans to use the feedback in developing and refining products and services for foreign customers. The initiative comes as the lender expands its push into the segment. KB this year consolidated products and services targeting foreign customers under its "Global Star" brand and introduced savings and credit loan products designed for them. The first panel was launched at KB Kookmin Bank's headquarters in Yeouido, Seoul, on Thursday. "As the number of foreign customers residing in Korea continues to grow rapidly, we hope to gather a broad range of views through the program," a KB Kookmin Bank official said. "We will continue expanding services so that customers can access financial services more conveniently." 2026-08-23 11:31:39
  • Blizzard rules out Korea-only balance patches for Overwatch
    Blizzard rules out Korea-only balance patches for Overwatch BUSAN, August 23 (AJP) - Blizzard Entertainment will keep balancing Overwatch as a single global game rather than tailoring patches to Korea even under its new Nexon partnership, its game director said, even as Korean players keep pulling the shooter's meta in their own direction. "We typically don't try to balance the game differently per region," Aaron Keller said at a press conference at BEXCO, on the second and final day of Overwatch Day, the fan festival staged by Nexon. Regional data, platform data and community sentiment all feed the process, Keller said, with the team meeting multiple times a week to weigh them. "One of the regions that we always specifically do a deeper dive on is Korea, because there are differences in the way Koreans play," he said. "Some of the heroes are more popular in Korea than they are in the rest of the world, and some of the heroes even have different win rates in Korea than they do in the rest of the world." Korean habits have redrawn the global game before, most famously with GOATS, the Korean-born composition that dominated for about a year and prodded Blizzard into introducing role queue. Keller put the gap down to temperament. "In Korea specifically, there's a very competitive mindset for playing Overwatch, and a lot of players take getting better and practicing at the game very seriously," he said. Players elsewhere, he said, do not chase the metas and trends "in the same way that some of the Korean players do." Nexon took over Overwatch's Korean PC service on Aug. 12, the first time a domestic publisher has run the community, a day after D.Mon joined the roster as its 53rd hero. Walter Kong, Blizzard's senior vice president and head of development for live games and mobile, said the groundwork was laid as far back as 2022, as Overwatch settled into its live-service era. "Korea really was an opportunity we were very excited about, given the way that Korean players had supported Overwatch very strongly and passionately," Kong said, describing a wide-open strategy review that eventually narrowed to partnership. Nexon scored high against Blizzard's checklist, he said, citing live-service operating experience, genre expertise and familiarity with the market and its players. The switch has not been frictionless, with players who link their Battle.net accounts to Nexon finding it harder to queue with friends overseas, a trade-off raised repeatedly at the session. "When we started this, we looked very closely and thought a lot about how that change would affect people," Kong said, adding that match quality had held up and that Blizzard would continue to monitor it. Ben Bell, executive producer and senior vice president for Overwatch, cast the deal as a bid for proximity. "The whole goal of this partnership is to get closer to our fans," he said. Nexon's reach among Korean PC players, Bell said, gives Blizzard "an opportunity to listen more closely and understand what is gonna make the game better for players here in this region." Keller promised a busy back half of the year: two more heroes, another map, further chapters of Overwatch's first annual narrative, and a Halloween event in season 5. Kong called the Busan visit "a bit like a homecoming," recalling the Overwatch Festival held in the city before the game launched in 2016. Korean players, he said, "have become really part of the building of Overwatch's history along with us." Bell, on his first visit to Busan, said meeting fans at a signing session had been the highlight, calling it "real special" to hear personal stories about why people play. "When they opened the doors to this event yesterday, the fans just came streaming in, and they didn't stop coming," Keller said. "There's a reason why the two professional gamers in the Overwatch universe, D.Va and D.Mon, are from Korea," he said, calling the country the imagined epicenter of competitive gaming culture. 2026-08-23 11:26:55
  • CUs 1.5-Serving Tteokbokki Gains Popularity in Refrigerated Snack Sales
    CU's 1.5-Serving Tteokbokki Gains Popularity in Refrigerated Snack Sales CU's 1.5-serving large tteokbokki has become a top seller in the refrigerated snack category.According to CU, the 'Geummiok King Tteokbokki,' launched in collaboration with the popular tteokbokki restaurant in Seongsu-dong, has ranked first in sales for the refrigerated snack category from April to May. It maintained the second position in sales during June and July, remaining a top contender five months after its release.Recognizing the demand for large tteokbokki, CU introduced the 'Full Topping Cheese Rabokki' on July 29. This product also achieved the highest sales in the refrigerated snack category this month.Both products are priced at 4,900 won and offer 1.5 servings. CU explained that they not only increased the portion size but also enhanced customer satisfaction by adding various toppings such as ramen, chewy noodles, fish cakes, and cheese.CU is expanding its large tteokbokki product line. On August 19, it launched 'Full Topping Mala Bimmyeon,' which includes bimmyeon, flat noodles, and fish cakes with mala sauce. Another product, 'Geummiok King Tteok Sundae,' featuring wheat tteok, sundae, and perilla powder, is set to be released on August 26.CU plans to continue introducing differentiated tteokbokki products with unique portion sizes and toppings to strengthen its competitiveness in the convenience store snack market.Kim So-hee, a product planner at BGF Retail's HMR team, stated, "We will consistently offer differentiated products that enhance customer satisfaction in terms of quantity and toppings, building on CU's competitive edge in tteokbokki through collaborations with popular restaurants." 2026-08-23 11:12:20
  • CORTIS marks first anniversary with expanded EP, two new tracks
    CORTIS marks first anniversary with expanded EP, two new tracks SEOUL, August 23 (AJP) - K-pop boy group CORTIS will mark its first anniversary with an expanded edition of its second EP, adding two new tracks as the group continues its ongoing nine-city tour. The group will release "GREENGREEN playextended" at midnight on Monday, adding "PACK IT UP" and "MONEYMONEYMONEY" to the six tracks from its second EP "GREENGREEN." CORTIS gave fans an early preview of the two songs Saturday during the first night of its "2026 CORTIS TOUR PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN BIRTHDAY PARTY" at Korea University's Hwajeong Gymnasium in Seoul. All members participated in writing and composing the new tracks, continuing the group's collaborative approach to songwriting. The expanded release builds on "GREENGREEN," with the two additional songs drawn from material that was developed during work on the original EP but ultimately left off the record. CORTIS will hold the second night of its anniversary concert at the same venue at 5 p.m. Sunday. The group previously completed stops in Incheon and North America as part of its "PUT YOUR PHONE DOWN" tour, which spans 14 shows across nine cities. 2026-08-23 11:07:33
  • 30,000 Hidden Heroes: Volunteers Driving the World Youth Day
    30,000 Hidden Heroes: Volunteers Driving the World Youth Day The most frequently encountered individuals by pilgrims at the World Youth Day are not the speakers on stage. Instead, they are the volunteers who guide them at airports and train stations, check registrations, direct them to meal locations, and connect participants in need of medical assistance with healthcare professionals. The organizing committee for the World Youth Day in 2027 aims to mobilize 30,000 volunteers during the main event. These volunteers will be the driving force behind the event and the first face of Seoul and the Korean Church that young people from around the world will meet. 10,000 Center Volunteers and 20,000 Parish VolunteersVolunteers are primarily divided into center volunteers and parish volunteers. The organizing committee is gradually recruiting 10,000 center volunteers to work both domestically and internationally, along with 20,000 parish volunteers focused on the Archdiocese of Seoul. Center volunteers will be assigned to registration, event operations, pilgrim guidance, interpretation, logistics, and medical and safety support, while parish volunteers will handle accommodation, local transportation, meals, and general assistance. As of July 2026, there are 378 volunteers actively working with the organizing committee. This includes not only domestic volunteers but also foreigners residing in Korea and international volunteers who have entered the country to assist. Long-term domestic volunteers are still being recruited, while international long-term volunteers will be selected through recommendations from bishops' conferences in their respective countries. Recruitment for short-term volunteers, both domestic and international, is set to begin in October with the opening of the registration system. Kindness Alone Is Not Enough for an International EventWhile the foundation of volunteering is hospitality, professionalism and sound judgment are essential on-site. In an event involving hundreds of thousands of people, even a minor guidance error can alter crowd flow and lead to safety issues. The roles range from assisting lost pilgrims to reporting crowd density, connecting reports of lost items or crimes, and handing over sick participants to medical staff. The organizing committee provides basic training courses, orientations, monthly education sessions, doctrinal lectures, and both online and offline training with practical experience. Before actual deployment, volunteers must learn standard procedures and responsibilities for their specific tasks. They need to distinguish between issues they can resolve on-site and those that must be immediately referred to police, fire, or medical personnel. Training focuses on how to report effectively rather than simply following a directive to 'just help.' Translating Beyond Language to CultureThe volunteer system for the Seoul event itself forms an international community. International volunteers and foreigners residing in Korea can serve as connectors who understand the language and cultural context of their fellow pilgrims. Korean volunteers will also learn about the cultural and faith expressions of other churches while collaborating with foreign youth. Volunteering becomes a mutual learning process rather than a one-sided service. However, interpretation must be specialized. General schedules and directions can be handled by multilingual volunteers, but emergency medical assessments, crime and accident reports, and legal explanations require professional interpreters. A single miscommunicated sentence can impact treatment or safety. It is crucial to anticipate demand for various languages and to differentiate between general interpretation, specialized interpretation, and sign language interpretation. Automated translation apps are merely supplementary tools and cannot replace responsible personnel. How to Select and Deploy 30,000 VolunteersThe target of 30,000 volunteers reflects the scale of the event, but the key factor is the deployment plan. It must account for the number of volunteers needed by time and location, language and job skills, age and health status, and availability for night shifts. An imbalance is expected between popular roles that attract many applicants and high-intensity roles that are harder to fill. It is essential to verify training completion and actual capabilities while ensuring backup personnel and shift rotations are in place. The costs and support required for domestic and international volunteers must also be transparent. It should be clearly communicated who will bear the costs of transportation, meals, accommodation, uniforms, insurance, and expenses related to the entry and stay of international volunteers. Support criteria are necessary to ensure that economic conditions do not limit volunteering opportunities. Long hours or hazardous tasks should not be taken for granted simply because the work is voluntary. Field Leaders Are Crucial to Overall StabilityDirectly managing thousands of volunteers will rely not on a central command center but on local and team leaders. Leaders must do more than check attendance and shifts; they need to assess risk signals, address volunteers' questions by connecting them to specialized agencies, and communicate schedule changes. They should be selected earlier than general volunteers and trained in communication, conflict resolution, emergency reporting, and record-keeping. It is also vital to prevent conflicting orders from multiple organizations. If the organizing committee, parishes, the city of Seoul, and police and fire officials issue different directives, volunteers will be uncertain about which instructions to follow. Establishing a single command line for each location, prioritizing emergency protocols, and setting rules for using radios and messaging systems must be clearly defined and practiced repeatedly. The calmness on the day of the event will stem from a well-prepared system, not individual temperament. Caring for Volunteers Is Also Part of Event ManagementIn the sweltering heat of August, standing for long hours and responding to numerous inquiries can lead to rapid physical and emotional exhaustion. The organizing committee must establish spiritual care and burnout prevention programs for volunteers. Additionally, appropriate working hours, breaks, cooling spaces, access to drinking water and meals, transportation home, emergency care, and accident compensation systems need to be clearly outlined. Regulations to prevent harassment, sexual violence, and discrimination are also necessary. Given the diverse backgrounds and ages of the volunteers, it is essential to educate them on behavioral guidelines, reporting channels, and victim protection procedures. It is important to have independent counseling and reporting pathways to ensure that individuals who raise issues with supervisors do not face repercussions in their assignments. Plans must also be in place for how to continue the volunteer experience after the event. Recording the language, safety, and event management skills of trained volunteers and connecting them to parish and community service will ensure that the experiences of 30,000 volunteers do not vanish after the event. Strategies to maintain relationships formed between international and domestic volunteers through online exchanges or follow-up youth events are also necessary. The individuals gathered for event management can become the foundation for youth ministry in the Korean Church after the event. The goal is not for 30,000 volunteers to smile in the same way. Each must understand their role, know when to stop in risky situations, and feel empowered to ask for help when needed. When volunteers are respected and protected, the hospitality extended to pilgrims will endure. Ultimately, the face of Seoul that young people from around the world will remember will be shaped by the expressions and voices of these volunteers. 2026-08-23 11:00:20
  • Guidelines for Volunteers at the World Youth Day
    Guidelines for Volunteers at the World Youth Day Volunteers at the World Youth Day (WYD) need more than just a friendly smile. In an international event with hundreds of thousands of participants, a single incorrect direction can disrupt the flow of attendees and lead to crowding or safety incidents. The first principle of effective volunteering is to avoid pretending to know what you do not. If you are uncertain about schedules or routes, do not provide random answers; instead, verify with official materials or designated personnel. The second principle is to respect your role and limitations. While volunteers can assist with directions and registration checks, they must immediately refer medical emergencies, crime reports, and crowd control to professionals such as medical staff, police, or firefighters. Volunteers should also avoid moving fallen participants or personally keeping lost items. When identifying a risk, it is crucial to report the location, situation, and required assistance clearly and concisely. The third principle is to show respect for differences. Volunteers should refrain from asking overly personal questions or taking photos without consent based on participants' nationality, language, race, disability, religion, or gender. Instead of repeating loudly when there is a language barrier, use simple expressions, visuals, or official translation tools. When assisting participants with disabilities, it is important to first ask what kind of help they need. Protecting oneself is also part of volunteering. If you experience dizziness or exhaustion due to extreme heat, do not push through; inform a supervisor and take a break. In cases of verbal abuse, harassment, or discrimination, do not handle it alone; utilize the designated reporting channels. It is important not to romanticize working without breaks as dedication. A good volunteer is not someone who tries to solve every problem alone. They know what they can do and when to hand over responsibilities to on-site leaders or professionals. Calm actions of 'stop, verify, and connect' ensure the safety of both pilgrims and volunteers. 2026-08-23 11:00:20