The team 'Tong Sang Imong' from Hanyang University won the final round of a national debate competition focused on South Korea's potential membership in the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership (CPTPP).
The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced on November 4 that the final round of the 10th College Trade Policy Debate Competition was held at the Textile Center event hall in Gangnam, Seoul.
A total of 47 teams participated in the competition. Sixteen teams advanced from the preliminary round, which involved the submission of essays, and competed in the round of 16 on October 6. The tournament format continued from the quarterfinals to the finals on the same day.
The debate topic from the quarterfinals to the finals was, 'In an era of rising protectionism, should South Korea seek to join the CPTPP?' Participants presented various opinions on the potential for expanding overseas markets and the strategic value of CPTPP membership, as well as the impact on domestic industries such as agriculture and fisheries, the need for stakeholder adjustments, and the formation of social consensus.
Earlier, when the Ministry of Trade recruited participants in August, the preliminary topic was 'Should regulations on AI be relaxed to strengthen digital cooperation with the U.S. and enhance competitiveness in the AI industry?' The final round broadened the discussion to include issues of protectionism and CPTPP membership.
In the finals, the Hanyang University team faced off against the 'AI, GO' team from Dankook University. The Tong Sang Imong team was awarded the victory for their ability to listen to opposing arguments and respond logically, receiving the Minister of Trade, Industry and Energy Award and a cash prize of 4 million won. The runner-up, the AI, GO team from Dankook University, received the Chairman of the National Assembly's Industry, Trade, and Small and Medium Enterprises Committee Award and a cash prize of 3 million won.
Honorable mentions were awarded to the 'Jeolcha Takma' team from Seoul Women's University and the 'Sapalgumal Sung' team, a joint effort from Kyung Hee University and Hankuk University of Foreign Studies.
During the event, Professor Park Jeong-ho from Myongji University delivered a special lecture on '2027 Domestic and International Economic Outlook and Protectionism.'
Park Jeong-seong, head of the Trade Negotiation Bureau at the Ministry of Trade, emphasized, 'Trade and trade policy are the external expressions of industrial policy,' and stated that South Korea must evolve from merely accepting existing international trade norms to creating new trade norms in line with the competitiveness of advanced industries such as semiconductors, HBM, and AI. He also noted the importance of adjusting domestic interests and forming social consensus in response to new trade orders like the CPTPP, expressing hope that the debate experience would enhance students' international negotiation skills and help them grow into future leaders of South Korea's trade policy.
* This article has been translated by AI.
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