By Kim Ji-eun

The Ministry of Foreign Affairs held a launching ceremony for the 2023 Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Youth Mission on August 10 and appointed 26 university (graduate) students nationwide as youth envoys. 

Through the oath, the Youth Mission strengthened its determination to engage in activities in a sincere and responsible manner. Park Yong-min, a multilateral diplomatic coordinator, stressed in his encouraging speech that the role of young people is important for true peace considering future generations.

Starting with a dialogue with the Secretary-General of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization (CTBTO), the Youth Mission for Disarmament and Non-Proliferation will carry out various activities online and offline for the next four months (August to November), which will increase young people's interest and participation in disarmament and non-proliferation issues. 

In addition, Korea plans to promote the Youth, Disarmament and Non-Proliferation Resolution, which was adopted at the UN General Assembly in 2019 and 2021. The Youth Mission will participate in an educational camp scheduled to be held in Daejeon at the end of August to build basic knowledge related to disarmament and non-proliferation and start full-fledged activities such as content production.

In addition, the Youth Mission for Non-Proliferation of Disarmament held talks with Robert Floyd, secretary general of the Comprehensive Nuclear-Test-Ban Treaty Organization, at the Ministry of Foreign Affairs on Aug. 10. 

Secretary-General Floyd discussed the role of young people in discussing nuclear non-proliferation with our young people. This conversation is considered to have served as an opportunity to convey the voices of our young people directly to the heads of international organizations while enhancing our understanding of the international nuclear non-proliferation system, including the CTBT.

In order to achieve sustainable peace, the Youth Mission for Disarmament and Nonproliferation sends a message that future generations should actively voice discussions on disarmament and nonproliferation, which is expected to increase young people's interest and understanding of disarmament and nonproliferation issues.