Global Saemauler Festival Unites Students through Traditional Games, Fashion Shows, and Music

Students Present Speeches on “What PSPS Means to Me” and “My Life in Korea”

Participants Enjoyed Traditional Korean Games and Performances Showcasing Global Cultures

[October 21, 2025]

 Yeungnam University (YU, President CHOI Oe-chool) held the “2025 Saemaul Spirit Korean Speech Contest & Global Saemauler Festival” on October 17.

 The event, organized by the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul (PSPS), served as a global cultural festival where international students deepened their understanding of the Korean language, experienced traditional culture, and shared their own cultural heritage. Over 100 PSPS students, faculty, and staff participated in the event, sharing a meaningful time together to celebrate cultural diversity and mutual understanding.

 The Saemaul Spirit Korean Speech Contest, held in the morning at the Cheonma Art Center Chamber Hall, featured nine students from nine countries, including Indonesia, Myanmar, Malawi, and China.Each participant delivered a Korean-language speech on one of the following topics: “What PSPS Means to Me,” “My Life in Korea,” or “How to Apply What I’ve Learned at PSPS to My Home Country.” 

<Winners of Saemaul Spirit Korean Speech Contest>

SOE SI THU MIN from Myanmar won first place in the competition. She shared, “I’m happy that organizing and presenting my thoughts in Korean has improved my language skills. It was a valuable experience that deepened my understanding of Korea and the meaning of the Saemaul Spirit.”

 Following the Korean Speech Contest, the Global Saemauler Festival took place in the afternoon at the Cheonma Art Center Exhibition Hall. Participants engaged in team activities inspired by the Saemaul Spirit of sharing, volunteerism, and creativity, such as games and quizzes. They also enjoyed traditional Korean games like tuho (arrow throwing), jegichagi (shuttlecock kicking), and arm wrestling. The festival continued with performances of traditional dances, songs, and a multicultural fashion show, fostering cultural exchange and mutual understanding among students.

Dean LEE Jeong-ju of PSPS who organized the event, said, “This event gave international students a meaningful opportunity to express themselves in Korean and gain confidence and a sense of accomplishment. Beyond being a language contest, it became a platform for learning about the Saemaul Spirit and Korean culture while sharing and understanding each other’s traditions.” He added, “I hope this experience will serve as a valuable foundation for the students’ future studies and their contributions to community development when they return to their home countries.”

Established in November 2011, the Park Chung Hee School of Policy and Saemaul aims to nurture experts in Saemaul-based international and regional development among public officials, policymakers, and public sector professionals from developing countries. To date, 1,030 students from 77 countries have enrolled, and as of October 2025, 126 students from 26 countries are studying at PSPS. After graduation, many return to their home countries to serve in government agencies and international development organizations, applying the Saemaul Spirit as global leaders driving sustainable development.