MOFA to Dispatch About 130 Young People to Overseas Missions to Develop Global Talent

On Thursday, June 25, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs held the "2026 Kick-off Ceremony for Public Diplomacy Trainees and Local Youth Talent." The ceremony brought together public diplomacy trainees and local youth participants ahead of their overseas assignments to reaffirm their commitment to taking on new challenges around the world and to develop the knowledge and capabilities needed to work at overseas diplomatic missions.

The program included ▲ congratulatory remarks by Lim Sang-woo, Ambassador and Deputy Minister for Public Diplomacy; ▲ introductions to public diplomacy work and cooperation with local governments; ▲ training on precautions for staying overseas; and ▲ networking and experience-sharing sessions for participants.

In particular, a discussion program with about 20 former public diplomacy trainees gave this year's participants an opportunity to hear about life overseas and important precautions, while also exchanging views and encouragement about their future career paths.

In his congratulatory remarks, Ambassador Lim encouraged the participants to take pride in and responsibility for representing the Republic of Korea, building on the country's heightened international standing. He expressed hope that their field experience at overseas diplomatic missions would help them develop expertise and capabilities in public diplomacy as well as an international outlook, and grow into global talent connecting Korea with the world.

The public diplomacy trainees and local youth participants selected this year are scheduled to serve for the next 6 months at 84 overseas diplomatic missions in 61 countries, carrying out a range of duties including public diplomacy activities, support for international exchanges and regional cooperation projects.

MOFA has operated the Public Diplomacy Field Training Program at Overseas Missions since 2013 and has substantially expanded the number selected to 100 since last year. The trainees will be assigned to 82 overseas diplomatic missions for 6 months and take part in a range of public diplomacy activities involving knowledge, policy, culture and digital tools.

The program is expected to strengthen young Koreans' public diplomacy capabilities, support their entry into overseas careers in related fields and develop the next generation of global talent. It is also expected to promote mutual understanding between Korea and other countries and contribute to improving Korea's national image.

Meanwhile, 33 young people selected through recommendations from 16 metropolitan and provincial governments are taking part in the Local Youth Talent Overseas Mission Dispatch Program, which is being launched for the first time this year. They will be assigned to 31 overseas diplomatic missions in 26 countries and work in a range of areas, including policy research on responses to regional population decline, support for local governments' international exchange activities, support for local companies' overseas expansion and overseas promotion of regional brands.

During their stay, the local youth participants will research local policies and regional development cases in their host countries and prepare policy-proposal reports. Through this work, they are expected to identify policy ideas for the internationalization and sustainable development of their regions.

MOFA plans to continue expanding opportunities for young people to strengthen their global capabilities and participate in overseas fieldwork, thereby contributing to Korea's future competitiveness.