Lauren Yehwa Seo, World Hug Foundation‘s World Student Representative, Receives Global Leader Award

May 23, 2024, 10:25 pm

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Lauren Yehwa Seo (second from left), World Hug Foundation's World Student Representative, received the Global Leader Award at the 2024 Seoul Challenge Festival awards ceremony held on the 21st at the Korea Press Center. / Photo = Challenge Korean Headquarters

At the 2024 Seoul Challenge Festival, the Family Month Model Award ceremony was held at the Seoul Club on the 18th floor of the Korea Press Center on the 21st.

On this day, Lauren Yehwa Seo (19, SDC Academy), the World Hug Foundation's World Student Representative, received the Global Leader Award at the 2024 Seoul Challenge Festival.

The event was hosted by the Challenge Korean Headquarters and the Challenge Korean Movement Headquarters, with support from the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the Korean Senior Citizens Association, The Korea Herald, Kukkiwon, and the Seoul Metropolitan Council Challenge Korean Advisory Committee.

The award ceremony saw a significant attendance of foreigners and was conducted in English by youth announcer Eunbi Jo and German host, Florian. In celebration of Seoul Challenge Day, the event featured congratulatory performances by the Gayageum sisters, Yera and Sarang Lee, and singer Moses Park.

Former Incheon Metropolitan City Mayor Ahn Sang-Soo (Former National Assembly Member) and Kukkiwon Lee Dong-Seop (Former National Assembly Member), the venue of the event, participated and led to a congratulatory speech by Kim Ho-Il, Chairman of the Korea Senior Citizens' Association, and Oh Se-hoon, Mayor of Seoul.

Ahn Sang-Soo, former mayor of Incheon Metropolitan City, said in a congratulatory speech, "The spirit of challenge is the force that makes a new Korea possible. Your sweat and passion create a greater Korea."

Seoul Mayor Oh Se-Hoon said, "I sincerely congratulate you on the hosting of the 2024 Seoul Challenge Festival. I extend my congratulations and encouragement to those who have shown courage and a spirit of challenge, those who have set an example in their homes and society, and those who have generously shared their vision for Seoul's future. The Seoul Metropolitan Government will continue to support the warm challenges of the Challenge Festival."

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The 2024 Seoul Challenge Festival awards ceremony was held on the 18th floor of the Seoul Club at the Korea Press Center on the 21st. Pictured are key figures, including Lauren Yehwa Seo (seventh from left), who received the Global Leader Award. / Photo = Challenge Korean Headquarters

Tae-Ho Kim, Chair of the National Assembly's Foreign Affairs and Unification Committee (three-term National Assembly member), delivered a congratulatory message, stating, "Diplomacy and unification are key areas that shape South Korea's image and future. To build a positive image and demonstrate leadership in the international community, a strong commitment to peace and cooperation, as well as a spirit of challenge, are essential. Your spirit of challenge elevates South Korea's standing in the global community."

Lauren Yehwa Seo, who received the Global Leader Award, expressed her gratitude, saying, "Through SDC Academy's five-star leadership education in Rationality, Intelligence, Sensibility, Fitness and Spirituality, I have embraced the vision of becoming a global leader and lived diligently. No matter what hardships come my way, I will overcome them with the strength and ability given by God. With an unwavering spirit of challenge, I will look only to the Lord and persevere to the end. I am grateful to God for this precious award."

Lauren Yehwa Seo, World Hug Foundation's World Student Representative, received the President's Gold Volunteer Service Award from U.S. President Biden last year.

Representing South Korea, Lauren was accepted into Harvard University's Summer School program and spent seven weeks in the United States last year. This camp, organized by Harvard University, included students from 47 U.S. states and outstanding students from 73 countries worldwide. Over the seven weeks, participants attended Harvard University classes, lived on campus, and received intensive guidance and support from Harvard faculty and admissions officers.

Established in 2011, the Challenge Korean Headquarters is the only public interest organization in South Korea dedicated to the spirit of challenge. To date, it has identified and awarded over 5,000 individuals, including UN Secretary-General Ban Ki-moon and mountaineer Um Hong-gil.

The Seoul Challenge Festival, organized by the Challenge Korean Headquarters, aims to spread the spirit of challenge under the motto of "Dream, Hope, Challenge." For 13 years, the organization has worked in conjunction with various Seoul-based groups to promote this spirit, leading to the recognition of the need for a Seoul municipal ordinance. It is expected that many Seoul citizens will participate in these activities. The Challenge Korean Headquarters plans to continue encouraging and supporting the spirit of challenge in various fields in the future.

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The 2024 Seoul Challenge Festival awards ceremony was held on the 18th floor of the Seoul Club at the Korea Press Center on the 21st. Pictured are awardees, including Lauren Yehwa Seo, who received the Global Leader Award, along with key figures. / Photo = Challenge Korean Headquarters