The Korean Cultural Center presented the 8th Korea Forum at the KCC Multipurpose Hall on Wednesday, December 8th inviting 50 local high school students under the partnership with the Ottawa-Carleton District School Board (OCDSB). 

The Korea Forum aims to encourage local high school students to diversify and deepen their interest in Korea-related fields. Enrolled in the International Certificate Program of the OCDSB, those students freely selected each Korea-related topic and presented what they researched through the course to their peers at the forum.  

Twenty-two student presenters from 9 schools participated in this year's forum. They talked about various topics about Korea, including ▶K-Food ▶K-Sports ▶History of Korea: Ancient~Modern History ▶History of Korea after World War II ▶Korean traditional clothing and street fashion ▶Korea Fashion ▶Korean traditional sports ▶Korean martial arts and fighting style ▶Busan ▶Korean street food culture, etc.

Prior to this, Consul-General Seong-won Han of the Embassy of the Republic of Korea to Canada gave a welcome speech. He also congratulated the ongoing partnership between the KCC and the OCDSB.  

In addition, during the break between the topic presentations, students learned about traditional Korean games from the K-drama 「Squid Game」. Also, they had a hands-on experience of playing games such as Ddakji and dalgona.

Sean Oussoren, a teacher and Head of the International Certificate Program at the OCDSB, said that the number of students interested in Korea and Korean culture among international studies is increasing significantly.  

Sungeun Lee, director of the Korean Cultural Center, expressed her commitment to strengthening a closer cooperative relationship with the OCDSB in the future by continuing to hold the 'Korea Forum' to bring closer Korea and Korean culture to Canadian youth in various ways.

The participating students also said that the Korea Forum is the best opportunity to share their research and passion for Korea with others while learning and experiencing the Korean culture.