Korea to dispatch 700 young cultural ambassadors worldwide

Korea is launching a major initiative to position its younger generation at the forefront of global cultural diplomacy, moving beyond the traditional export of commercial entertainment to foster deep, grassroots international exchanges.

On Friday, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, in partnership with the Korean Foundation for International Cultural Exchange, announced the official launch of the "2026 Youth K-Culture Global Frontier" program.

The initiative will deploy approximately 700 young Koreans to 36 countries starting this month, transforming raw passion for the country’s cultural output into structured, hands-on international experiences.

The program splits participants into two tracks: self-directed projects and corporate internships.

Under the self-directed track, young artists and creators will design and execute international cultural exchange projects across various disciplines, including visual arts, webtoons, literature and fashion.

Early initiatives showcase a strong emphasis on collaborative creation rather than simple exhibition.

This week, participants from ...