Hyanghwa Kwak Explores How Youth Can Help Build a Peaceful Future for Korea at KYS 2026

Seoul, South Korea — Korea Youth Summit (KYS) 2026 took place in Seoul, South Korea, from September 7–10, 2026. Under the theme “Empowering Youth to Preserve Culture and Driving Sustainable Innovation” and the tagline “Living Culture, Lasting Legacy,” the summit brought young people together to exchange perspectives on culture, leadership, innovation, and peace.

Among the speakers was Hyanghwa Kwak, a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Washington in Seattle. Through her session, “My Journey to One Korea and a Peaceful Future,” she shared her personal journey, experiences with youth-led peace initiatives, and reflections on how young people can contribute to a more peaceful Korean Peninsula.

From Personal Identity to a Deeper Understanding of Korea

As a Korean American, Hyanghwa’s interest in Korean reunification grew through conversations with North Korean defectors. These conversations encouraged her to learn more about the realities of life on the Korean Peninsula and the role young people can play in shaping its future.

Her journey also led her to explore the idea of the “Korean Dream” and the Korean founding principle of Hongik Ingan, which emphasizes contributing to the broader benefit of humanity.

For Hyanghwa, these ideas provide more than historical context. They also offer a way to think about how people can contribute to a future built around connection, shared responsibility, and human dignity.

Learning Through Alliance for Korea United

Hyanghwa’s involvement with Alliance for Korea United (AKU) at the University of Washington became an important part of this journey. Through the organization, she encountered first-hand accounts from North Korean defectors and gained a deeper understanding of the human rights crisis in North Korea.

These experiences changed the way she viewed the issue. Rather than seeing Korean reunification only as a political or historical question, she began to understand its human dimension and the importance of giving greater attention to the people affected by the division of the Korean Peninsula.

As a result, her interest in peacebuilding became increasingly connected to youth engagement and human responsibility.

Turning Ideas Into Action Through Global Peace Youth

Hyanghwa later became a Manager at Global Peace Youth (GPY) Korea, where she began turning her aspirations into more direct action. Her role allowed her to contribute through her own strengths while working alongside other young people who share an interest in peace and the future of Korea.

She also highlighted her experience at the One Korea Youth Forum 2026. The forum gave her new perspectives on approaches to global peace and helped her better understand the unique role young people can play in peacebuilding.

Most importantly, these experiences showed her that young people do not need to wait until they have every answer before taking action.

Connecting Engineering With Peacebuilding

Hyanghwa’s background in engineering and her involvement in international youth initiatives have given her a unique perspective on contribution and leadership.

She emphasized that young people can use their existing skills and experiences to support causes they care about. Someone does not necessarily need to come from a political, diplomatic, or peace studies background to make a meaningful contribution.

Instead, young people can bring their own knowledge, creativity, and perspectives into the issues that matter to them. Even when self-doubt or limited knowledge becomes a challenge, taking the first step can open opportunities to learn and contribute further.

Encouraging Youth Solidarity for One Korea

Towards the end of her session, Hyanghwa encouraged participants to consider the idea of Youth Solidarity for One Korea. The message centers on the responsibility of young people to support one another and take meaningful action within their respective areas of influence.

Her message extends beyond the Korean Peninsula. It encourages young people to identify where their own skills and interests can create value, rather than waiting for a perfect opportunity or a complete understanding of an issue.

In this way, meaningful change can begin with individual initiative and grow through collaboration with others.

A Shared Space for Youth, Peace, and Global Collaboration

Hyanghwa’s participation in KYS 2026 also reflects the collaboration between Youth Break the Boundaries (YBB), Korea Youth Summit (KYS), and Global Peace Youth (GPY).

Through this collaboration, young people gained a space to encounter different perspectives on peace, culture, leadership, and international engagement. Furthermore, bringing together youth organizations and communities from different backgrounds can create opportunities for dialogue and collective action.

KYS 2026 therefore served not only as a platform for exchanging ideas but also as a meeting point for young people who want to understand global challenges and explore how they can contribute to them.

Conclusion

Hyanghwa Kwak’s session at Korea Youth Summit 2026 showed how personal experiences can grow into a broader commitment to peace and youth leadership. Her journey through AKU, GPY, and other youth initiatives has shaped her understanding of Korean reunification and the responsibilities young people can take on.

Ultimately, her message is simple: young people do not have to wait until they feel completely ready to make a difference. By bringing their own strengths, values, and willingness to learn, they can take meaningful steps toward the causes they care about and contribute to a more peaceful and connected future.

For more information:
Website: www.youthbreaktheboundaries.com
Media Relations – Youth Break the Boundaries
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