Ocean Without Borders! Ocean Affairs Council and NKNU Deepen Taiwan-Korea Marine Exchange, Cultivating Youth Sustainability Leadership

Oceans know no borders—sustainable action begins with exchange! The Ocean Affairs Council and National Kaohsiung Normal University jointly hosted the 'Taiwan-Korea Bilateral Marine Education Dual-City Forum' today (13th), inviting experts such as Professor Park Beom-jin from Chungnam National University, Korea, and Professor Moon Kong-joo from Tongmyong Women's University, alongside National Kaohsiung Normal University President Wang Cheng-yan and representatives from Taiwan’s marine conservation agencies. Centered on the theme 'Treasures of Blue Carbon—Marine Sustainability and Future Education,' the forum facilitated cross-border dialogue on marine education, blue carbon, marine healing, marine conservation, and sustainable development. Following the forum, a four-day 'Taiwan-Korea Sustainability Youth Workshop' will launch tomorrow (14th), guiding Taiwanese and Korean youth into real marine environments and transforming international exchange into tangible sustainability action.

Taiwan-Korea Experts Focus on Blue Carbon, Marine Healing, and Conservation; Four-Day Youth Workshop Kicks Off

Ocean Affairs Council Director Lin Li-ying emphasized that oceans transcend national boundaries and that global challenges such as climate change, biodiversity, marine environmental protection, and blue carbon require international cooperation. The forum covered academic research, educational practice, and social engagement. Korean scholars shared insights on forest and marine healing and sustainable civic literacy, while Taiwan presented achievements in marine conservation, practical marine education, and diverse experiences of civil society participation. Through mutual exchange, innovative ideas and new collaboration opportunities were sparked.

Director Lin noted that Taiwan and Korea both possess rich marine cultures and resources. This bilateral forum deepens collaboration in marine education and sustainable development and allows youth to experience different national approaches to marine governance and conservation. She expressed hope that this event would cultivate a new generation of talent with global perspectives, marine literacy, and practical skills, further strengthening the long-standing friendship and partnership between Taiwan and Korea.

National Kaohsiung Normal University President Wang Cheng-yan expressed gratitude for the Ocean Affairs Council’s support and guidance in making the forum possible. He highlighted that both Taiwan and Korea have diverse and profound marine cultures and expressed hope that the forum would build tighter marine partnerships, advance cooperation in marine education, environmental education, and marine healing, and jointly explore new possibilities for sustainable ocean development.

The forum featured a keynote speech by Professor Park Beom-jin from Chungnam National University, who discussed international experiences in marine and forest healing, sustainable development, and civic literacy. Professor Moon Kong-joo from Tongmyong Women's University shared educational and practical experiences, exchanging views with Taiwan’s marine conservation and education professionals, demonstrating shared concerns on ocean sustainability between Taiwan and Korea.

To translate forum discussions into youth empowerment, the Ocean Affairs Council and NKNU will launch the 'Taiwan-Korea Sustainability Youth Workshop' starting tomorrow (14th). Youth from both countries will visit institutions such as the Marine National Park Administration, the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, and the Pingtung Wangchuan Cultural Museum. Through field visits, experiential learning, environmental surveys, and team research, they will gain in-depth understanding of Taiwan’s marine culture, ecological conservation, and sustainable development achievements.

The Ocean Affairs Council emphasized that youth are vital forces in driving marine sustainability. Through cross-border learning and hands-on experience, youth will not only 'see the ocean' but also understand the relationship between oceans, daily life, culture, and sustainable development. They are encouraged to reflect on marine issues from diverse cultural perspectives. The Council hopes that Taiwanese and Korean youth will develop a shared 'language of marine sustainability' through exchange, bringing their knowledge back to campuses, communities, and future careers as key agents of ocean sustainability.

The Ocean Affairs Council expressed gratitude to National Kaohsiung Normal University, the Marine National Park Administration, the National Museum of Marine Biology and Aquarium, the Kenting National Park Administration, and the Taijiang National Park Administration for their collaboration in making this international exchange possible. Moving forward, the Council will continue promoting marine education and sustainable management through education, international exchange, and diverse partnerships, enhancing public marine literacy, deepening cooperation networks with international partners, and uniting efforts to 'know the ocean, love the ocean, connect with the ocean, and protect the ocean'—together building a resilient, innovative, and sustainable ocean future.