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The differences that divide Korea and Japan are very clear to those at the center, but
to the outside world, the disputes may be a bit more opaque.
To give the global audience a better understanding of where Korea's coming from,... the government
and civic groups are getting proactive to improve Korea's brand image.
Our Kwon Soa reports on an exhibition... leading the charge. Hundreds of people, mainly students,
gathered Wednesday at the opening of the exhibition "Brand Image Up," hosted by Yonhap News Agency
and the Voluntary Agency Network of Korea, or VANK.
The so-called cyber diplomatic organization uses its time promoting the country and improving
Korea's brand image globally. They focus on reporting the truth about issues
like Japan's claims to Korea's Dokdo island,... the naming of the East Sea, and the women
forced into *** slavery by the Japanese military during World War II.
"As I'm Korean, I want other people, not even South Koreans... other foreigners to know
what is right about South Korea. And that's what I'm volunteering for."
"I believe that informing foreigners about our country is the best way to improve Korea's
status."
Park Gi-tae, the founder of VANK, which has 12-thousand members, says his dream to give
the world a better understand of Korea began with a pen pal letter.
One of Park's foreign friends told him that maps abroad identify Korea's East Sea as the
Sea of Japan,... and refer to Korea's Dokdo island by what the Japanese call it,... Takeshima.
"So I was upset. So I send e-mails... this is wrong. Sea of Japan is wrong. Takeshima
is wrong. It's Dokdo and East Sea. "
To bring about change, VANK began to send letters to foreign media outlets and foreign
governments asking that they change their textbooks and maps.
Korean singer Kim Jang-hoon, who is a member of VANK, expressed his thoughts on improving
Korea's brand image.
"Although I am a singer, I founded a website called truthofdokdo.com and also an application.
We shouldn't fight with foreigners about Dokdo, but prove it in a logical way, by showing
them evidence."
The exhibition runs through February 25th at the National Museum of Korea, aiming to
spread the idea that all Koreans are ambassadors representing their nation.
Kwon Soa, Arirang News.