The Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs announced that it held the "2026 UN Participating Nations Global Academy Launch Ceremony" at Peace & Park Convention in Yongsan, Seoul, on Thursday to support mutual exchange activities between students from UN nations that participated in the Korean War and Korean schools.
The UN Participating Nations Global Academy is a program that supports mutual exchange initiatives including online and offline joint classes and invitation events between Korean elementary, middle, and high schools and schools in UN participating nations, with the Korean War serving as the connecting point. The program began in 2023 and is now in its fourth year.
In 2023, when support first began, 22 Korean schools participated, followed by 30 schools in 2024 and 40 schools in 2025. This year, a total of 40 schools are participating, including 9 elementary schools, 7 middle schools, and 24 high schools.
The launch ceremony was attended by approximately 90 people, including Vice Minister Kang Yun-jin of the Ministry of Patriots and Veterans Affairs, teachers and students from the 40 participating Korean schools, and education office officials. The event included a program explanation, plaque presentation ceremony, awards ceremony for education offices with outstanding 2026 recruitment results, presentation of best practices from 2025, and a tour of the War Memorial of Korea.
Starting with the launch ceremony, Korean schools will begin implementing their own programs including joint classes and mutual exchange visits with schools in UN participating nations. In December, the 40 participating schools will hold a results presentation to share their activity outcomes and award outstanding schools.
"Through the Global Academy activities, I hope that the future generations of Korea and participating nations will remember and carry on the history of the Korean War and UN forces' participation, and expand the precious bonds formed through the sacrifice and dedication of war heroes into friendship, solidarity, and future peace," Vice Minister Kang said.
