Yoon Seeks 'Future Generations' on Every Tour... Will Continue Spreading 'Innovation and Challenge'

Japan, USA, Paris, Poland, and now Indonesia emphasize 'Innovation'
"Delivering hope and inspiring a spirit of challenge... Listening to diverse voices"

President Yoon Suk-yeol, who seeks out the 'future generation' on every diplomatic visit, this time expressed the Korean government's commitment to innovation in Jakarta, Indonesia. The Presidential Office explained that in an era facing complex economic and social crises, it is also the role of leaders to inspire hope and foster a spirit of challenge among the young generations of each country.

On the 6th (local time), President Yoon attended the Korea-ASEAN AI Youth Festa held at Telkom, Indonesia's state-owned telecommunications company, and held a 'Dialogue with the Korea-ASEAN Future Generation,' stating, "Innovation knows no borders. The Republic of Korea government wants to create innovation together with you, who possess infinite potential." This event was an official side event of the 'ASEAN-India Indo-Pacific Forum,' an official event of the 2023 ASEAN Summit. Both Korea and Indo-Pacific countries agreed on the necessity of cooperation among the future generations in advanced industries and organized the event to achieve joint prosperity through digital means and to expand solidarity with ASEAN.

President Yoon Suk-yeol is delivering closing remarks at the Korea-ASEAN AI Youth Festa held on the second day of his visit to Indonesia, at the Telkom headquarters in Jakarta on the 6th.
[Photo by the Office of the President]

In particular, the event reflected the 'Korea-ASEAN Digital Innovation Flagship Project,' which was agreed upon at the recent Korea-ASEAN Summit. It symbolizes Korea and ASEAN achieving joint prosperity through digital means and expanding solidarity with ASEAN. This project is a five-year initiative from 2024 to 2028, funded by the Korea-ASEAN Cooperation Fund with a total budget of 30 million USD, aiming to promote ▲ the creation of a joint data ecosystem ▲ strengthening digital human capabilities ▲ development of AI-based innovative services.

President Yoon promised, "Over the next five years, through the 30 million USD Digital Innovation Flagship Project, we will continuously hold AI development and startup competitions," adding, "We will also establish digital capability enhancement schools in the 10 ASEAN countries to nurture talent." He continued, "The innovation you create together will contribute not only to individual countries and ASEAN but also to the expansion of freedom, increased happiness for all humanity, and global prosperity," emphasizing, "The Republic of Korea government and I will wholeheartedly support your challenges and innovative ideas to spread worldwide, regardless of nationality or borders."

President Yoon has also personally prioritized meeting with the future generation during previous diplomatic visits. During the Korea-Japan Summit held in Tokyo, Japan, in March, he visited Keio University and held a lecture for Korean international students and Japanese university students. At that time, President Yoon said, "I believe that it is very important for Korea and Japan, which share universal values, to work together for the improvement and development of bilateral relations, which is a common interest of both countries and crucial for world peace and prosperity," urging, "Government officials of both countries, as well as leaders in the private sector, must join forces to enable young people to actively exchange and communicate in various fields."

President Yoon Suk-yeol visited Station F, the world's largest startup incubator, during his trip to Paris, France, in June, where he held a dialogue with the future innovation generation of Korea and France.
[Photo by Yonhap News]

During his state visit to the United States in April, he visited Harvard University in Boston and told young people, "Courage and solidarity are necessary to protect freedom and democracy." This was the first time a sitting Korean president gave a speech at Harvard, where President Yoon repeatedly mentioned 'freedom' and criticized illegality, dictatorship, and totalitarianism.

In June, in Paris, France, he visited Station F, the 'world's largest startup campus,' and told the Korea-France future generation, "The Republic of Korea government will join your innovation journey through solidarity and cooperation based on universal values," encouraging them to "challenge yourselves freely." He also emphasized, "Above all, our future generation must be armed with an innovative mindset based on liberalism and internationalism."

In Poland, he visited the University of Warsaw and conveyed the philosophy that "the reason for engaging in politics is to make the future better, for the future generation." Specifically, he explained that "politics is precisely for the future generation," clarifying why he has visited universities and met students on every overseas trip. A Presidential Office official added, "Meetings between the president and young generations at home and abroad will increase," explaining, "Listening to the diverse voices of young people settled around the world gives the government more opportunities to reflect and find solutions."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.