The judges for the 13th Global Korea Youth Awards participate online in the evaluation of award applicants, Nov. 21. They are, clockwise from top left: Asian Friends Honary Chairman Kim Joon-sik, Jeong Hun-do, an awardee of the sixth Korea Multicultural Youth Awards in the high school category, Asian Friends Chairwoman Lee Nam-sook, Seong Sang-hwan, professor of Germanic Linguistics at Seoul National University, Kang In-sook, a government official of Multicultural Family Division at the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family, Seoul YMCA's civil society movement department representative Ju Gun-ihl, Korea Cultural Diversity Organization Chair Jasmine Lee and Migrant Youth Foundation Board Chairman and Hanyang University Professor Emeritus Cha Yun-kyung.

This year marks the 13th edition of the Global Korea Youth Awards. Previously known as the Multicultural Youth Awards, the name was officially changed to the Global Korea Youth Awards this year. The renaming reflects the belief that young individuals from multicultural families in Korea are future leaders who will enhance the nation's global presence.

Since its establishment in 2012, the award's recipients have gone on to become university students or are now excelling on the international stage. Notably, one recipient is serving at a foreign embassy in Korea, while another has become a proud member of Korea's armed forces, protecting the country. These achievements underscore the profound significance of the Global Korea Youth Awards.

In countries like Australia, Canada, Sweden and Germany, immigrants and families with multicultural backgrounds make up approximately 20 percent of the population. These nations rank among the world's most economically stable and socially advanced.

Kim Joon-sik, honorary chairman of Asian Friends, delivers congratulatory remarks during the 11th Multicultrual Youth Awards at at the Korea Press Center in Seoul, Dec. 5, 2022. Korea Times photo by Shim Hyun-chul

They have a shared approach to immigration, treating multiculturalism and diversity as key national strengths. Despite their diversity in religion, ethnicity and culture, these countries have successfully minimized conflicts through effective immigration policies, leveraging the diverse cultural backgrounds of immigrants as a wellspring of creativity and using multiculturalism as a vital resource for national competitiveness.

Upon reviewing the submissions for this year's Global Korea Youth Awards, the judges expressed strong confidence that multicultural youth growing up in Korea will become an essential asset for the nation's future.

The applicants showcased remarkable accomplishments across a wide range of fields. Many demonstrated academic excellence, often taking on leadership roles as class presidents or student council members, while actively engaging in community service activities. Some even exhibited exceptional talent in sports and the arts, earning recognition through national athletic competitions and regional events.

Notably, several applicants demonstrated exceptional multilingual abilities, speaking both their parents' native language, Korean, and English fluently. This is concrete evidence that bilingual education initiatives led by the Ministry of Gender Equality and Family and related organizations can be successful.

Grand Prize winner Hwang Yu-na, a middle school student, has already shown exceptional leadership by participating as a team leader in the selection process for the 2024 World Invention Creativity Olympic national team. Through her engagement with youth worldwide in English, she continues to develop her global leadership skills.

Kim Tae-yang, a weightlifter, has been officially selected as a backup national athlete after winning three gold medals at the 2024 National Youth Sports Festival.

Lee Ji-na, a high school student, is pursuing her dream of becoming a female entrepreneur at a global company. She has already established and registered an online business specializing in wool quilt accessories. By managing operations, including year-end value-added tax filings, she is steadily building her skills and working toward her goal of becoming a leader in global business.

It is essential for the government and society to support the aspirations of approximately 200,000 youth from multicultural families who are thriving in Korea. By fostering their dreams, we can help them grow into invaluable contributors to the nation's future.

Lastly, I extend my heartfelt gratitude to The Korea Times for its commitment to hosting this event for 13 consecutive years, and to the gender ministry for their generous support. I would also like to thank the judges for their evaluations and the teachers from schools and multicultural organizations for their thoughtful recommendations.

Once again, I offer my warmest congratulations to this year's winners.

Kim Joon-sik, honorary chairman of Asian Friends, is a judge of the Global Korea Youth Awards.