2025 Asia World Model United Nations
The opening ceremony of the 2025 Asia World Model United Nations (AWMUN) unfolded with passion and promise on July 25 at the Swiss Grand Hotel in Seoul. Drawing over 400 young delegates aged 11 to 25 from countries such as South Korea, the United States, Indonesia, the Philippines, and Mongolia, the event marked the beginning of Asia’s largest Model UN platform, an immersive five-day experience designed to cultivate diplomatic skills, global citizenship, and renewed hope for peace on the Korean Peninsula. The event was co-hosted by the youth division of Global Peace Foundation (GPF) Korea and the Korea International Model United Nations, under the theme, “The Path to Peace: Peace and Security on the Korean Peninsula.”
In his keynote address, German Ambassador to Korea Georg Wilfried Schmidt drew from Germany’s own path to unification to provide perspective and encouragement. Emphasizing the power of multilateralism, Ambassador Schmidt reminded the youth that diplomatic dialogue isn’t reserved for diplomats alone. “The moment 34 or more equal members sit down at one table, we are already in the world of multilateralism,” he said.
Amb. Schmidt acknowledged the United Nations’ pivotal role in Korea’s history, particularly during the Korean War, and highlighted the UN’s continuing relevance in resolving today’s global conflicts, from Sudan to Ukraine. “None of these problems can be solved without multilateralism,” he stated, urging young people to see themselves as agents of change in a constantly evolving international system.
Dean Jeong-hoon Lee of Yonsei University’s Graduate School of International Studies delivered the second keynote, calling for personal responsibility and universal values. As a human rights advocate and former ambassador for human rights at Korea’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, he urged delegates to find meaning and leadership in their own contexts. Citing urgent global issues like climate change, refugee crises, and trade disputes, Mr. Lee argued that youth leadership grounded in empathy, human dignity, and shared responsibility is essential for building a more just world. “Every negotiation is an opportunity for growth,
he said, “Your sincerity and sense of responsibility are the forces that change the future.”
In-Teck Seo, a co-chairman of Action for Korea United, a civilian-led movement that advocates for a unified Korea rooted in the Korean Dream, reminded the audience that Korea is the only country both created and saved by the UN; born under its supervision in 1948 and defended by UN forces during the Korean War. Yet, the mission of peace remains unfinished.
He criticized the declining interest in unification among youth, attributing it to the lack of a compelling vision. His proposed answer? The Korean Dream is a unified nation inspired by Hongik Ingan (the founding principle meaning benefiting all humanity), a civilization rooted in peace, creativity, and inclusivity. He called on youth to be digital peace messengers and global advocates, igniting hope for a future where unification becomes a model of civilizational peace.
He also invited the youth to participate in the Korean Dream Hangang Festa on August 15, 2025, to commemorate the 80th anniversary of Korea’s liberation. “Without your passion and energy, the wish for peace and unification will not become waves. If we each embrace this dream, we can become a united community,” he said.
Participants from around the globe shared how the keynotes transformed their perspectives.
“I never thought Korean unification was possible, but hearing about Germany’s real-life experience gave me hope,” said a college student from the United States.
“Through Dean Lee Jeong-hoon’s speech, I realized how closely human rights and peace are connected,” noted a delegate from Indonesia.
A Filipino participant added, “I realized that international cooperation and a multilateral approach are important for the reunification of the Korean Peninsula.”
Together, the young leaders acknowledged that Korean unification is not a Korean challenge alone but a shared global responsibility. Their collective energy turned this Model UN event into something far greater than a simulation: a platform for intergenerational solidarity and real-world vision-building.
Peace begins when the young imagine it, believe it, and act on it. The Korean Dream is no longer just a dream; it’s a direction. The 2025 Asia World Model United Nations has ignited a spark of possibility in a region that has long grappled with division. With fresh perspectives, deep historical insights, and a shared commitment to peace, the youth of the world have taken another step on the road to reunification, not only of a peninsula, but of humanity itself.
