Ep 5. Korea–Japan Exchange Program- Global Insights

While working at IBK in July, I also had the opportunity to participate in the Korea-Japan University Student Exchange Program hosted by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. I was honored to serve as a student representative at the 2024 Korea-Japan Exchange.

In July, Japanese students visited Korea first. I took on the role of assisting with the opening ceremony, welcome address, and ensuring that all activities ran smoothly.

Together with our team, we guided the Japanese students to major landmarks in Korea, including traditional palaces and historical sites. We also introduced them to Korean traditional food experiences, and of course, we took some must-have film photos that everyone loves to capture when visiting Korea (laughs).

Later, we attended the Korea-Japan Festival at COEX, where we visited the booths run by the Japanese students. Since there was an opportunity to rent traditional outfits inside COEX, I wore a hanbok, and actively took part in promoting the program by participating in the official video shoot of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs and even giving an interview. It was a truly engaging and memorable experience.

From August to October, I continued communicating online with the Japanese students, working together on a project aimed at proposing solutions to common challenges faced by both Korea and Japan. Our team’s topic was low birth rates and population aging, and we explored how each country could address the issue individually while also seeking areas of collaboration where both nations could work together. After completing the project, I traveled to Japan in November.

In Tokyo, we visited the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs, where we attended a lecture by a diplomat on Korea–Japan relations. The session provided us with valuable insights into the current political relationship between the two countries, the challenges they face, and the long-term outlook.

During the official dinner that followed, I had the honor of representing the Korean students by delivering a message of appreciation to the Japanese Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the distinguished guests who organized the event.

We also visited Hosei University, one of Japan’s prestigious institutions, where we engaged in meaningful discussions with local students. These conversations revealed how young people in Korea and Japan perceive issues such as marriage, childbirth, and employment, and highlighted some of the cultural differences that shape these perspectives. It was an eye-opening opportunity to understand one another more deeply.

On the final day in Tokyo, we reunited with the Japanese friends who had participated in the Korea leg of the program, and together we presented the research findings we had prepared over the past two months on low birth rates and aging societies. Beyond our topic, we also listened to presentations on various other social issues in Korea and Japan, including economic challenges, cultural differences, and unemployment. The experience was profoundly meaningful, offering a wide range of perspectives on the pressing issues shared by both societies.

After wrapping up the schedule in Tokyo, we traveled to Okinawa, where we visited major public institutions as well as the local office of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. Among the activities in Okinawa, two stand out most vividly in my memory.

The first was our visit to the Okinawa Prefectural Government and the discussion with the Governor. Okinawa, much like Jeju Island in Korea, has been actively working to strengthen cooperation in the field of startups, and the Governor showed great interest in this area. I had the chance to ask various questions regarding the current state of collaboration between Jeju and Okinawa in the startup ecosystem, as well as whether there were future plans to organize startup camps for students from both countries. Being able to engage in such a meaningful dialogue was truly valuable.

The second highlight was our visit to the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Okinawa, where we spoke with a serving diplomat. Given Okinawa’s historical background, there is a strong interest in defense-related issues, and I asked questions about Korea–Japan cooperation in this area, as well as whether there might be interest in collaborating on Korea’s advanced defense technologies, such as MUM-T using drones. The conversation provided me with a range of new insights into potential avenues for cooperation between the two countries.

The final part of the Okinawa program was a homestay experience with a local family, giving us the opportunity to immerse ourselves in daily life there. I spent a day with an elderly woman who lived alone, sharing meals of traditional Okinawan cuisine and even trying my hand at playing a traditional musical instrument.

In the evening, she shared personal stories from her life, and through those conversations, I was able to reflect on the value of genuine human connection and communication. It was a warm and meaningful experience that left a lasting impression on me.

For my overall performance in this program, I was honored to receive the Grand Prize for outstanding participation. In addition, our team achieved excellent results and was awarded First Place for our group project.

It was an incredibly rewarding experience, not only because of the recognition but also because I was able to gain diverse insights, broaden my perspective, and build meaningful connections with wonderful people. I truly consider this program a valuable and enjoyable chapter in my journey.