A Young Man’s Second Letter: Against All Odds!

Spec
Short for Specifications

Korean job seekers refer to the combination of educational background, professional background and English test score as “spec”.
Good specs include graduating from a top university, family wealth, fluent English, and international experience.

There was a young man who had none of these.
His life seemed hopeless.

He went to an average university.
He did not seem to have a promising future.

His family was too poor to support his education.
For him, there were more challenges than opportunities.

Had a mediocre level of English

Could not take the usual backpacking trip to Europe during college

An employee at a major company,
A government employee,
A professional with specialized knowledge, or
A teacher

All those admired occupations seemed to be far from him. 
His future seemed uncertain.

However, 10 years later, he …

• Became one of the 101 Most Influential People in Korea
Seoul Newspaper 
• Received the Social Change Innovation Award
Joongang Daily

• Received the Seoul Grand Tourism Award
Seoul Metropolitan Government
• Received the Grand Tourism Award
Korean Tourism Organization (KTO)

• Received four organizational presidential awards
- National promotion area
- Cultural development area
- Diplomacy and unification area
- Accurate national information promotion area

• Selected as a next generation leader and was invited for training
The US Department of State

He is the president of VANK, a cyber diplomatic organization with 70,000 members.

This is the dramatic story about a young man, who was far from having good specs. 

He chose not to restrict himself to typical qualifications.

Instead, he developed his own set of specs to achieve his dream. 

He decided not to waste his time and effort gaining standard but irrelevant skills.

Instead, he devoted all his energy to promoting Korea to the world.

“Don’t be restricted to the standard specs that turn you and your dream into a machine and a product. Develop your own specs that inspire your life.”

“This is the most important message I want all young Koreans to remember.”
-Park Gitae, President of VANK

Here is what the president of VANK, Park Gitae, wants to tell you.
“A New Approach to Specs”

What VANK sees as real specs are not the typical specifications that people often assume.

For VANK, the most important spec is courage to change the status quo. 

Spec
‘S’ stands for sweat. I wrote my life Story with Sweat.

My priority was not getting overseas experience and better TOEIC scores.

Instead, every day I went to Deoksugung Palace to introduce Korean palaces to foreigners in English. 

Sometimes I was rejected by the foreigners.

Despite some challenges, my time with foreign tourists was far more helpful to my life than going to TOEIC classes. 

I learned my English with a lot of sweat.
It was more valuable than any overseas experience.

sPec
‘P’ stands for passion. I made Progress with my Passion.

My specs were not good enough to be selected for overseas language programs or volunteer work projects.

However, I didn’t let it discourage me, and I decided to connect online with foreigners who are interested in Korea.

So, I made a pen-pal site. 

I sent over 1,000 emails to foreign schools that had a Korean language program.

I helped them find Korean friends and build friendships.

With my great passion, I introduced them to Korean culture, history and language.

Through steady progress, this passion made what VANK is now.

spEc
‘E’ stands for empowerment. I pursue the Empowerment of individuals who want to improve life on Earth.

You introduce Korean culture to your foreign friend.  

Then, your friend will talk about Korea to her family and friends.
Soon, it will spread to schools and local communities across the world. 

Through your effort, the 7 billion people of the world will get to know the real Korea.

I want to share my dream and vision with you.

I want to give you the honor of being a diplomat for Korea. 

As of now, 70 thousand Koreans have completed cyber diplomacy education through VANK.

Given the authority and responsibilities of citizen diplomats, they are now promoting Korea to the people of the world.

Their responsibilities go beyond promoting Korea.

They are also leading the effort to make the world a better place.

speC
‘C’ stands for color. I want to change Corea through my own unique Color.

Admission to a prestigious university
Employment at a large corporation
Success in a government employment exam

Away from those typical paths, I have made my own path.

I found great values and potential in Korea’s 5000 years of history.

My dream is to promote Korea through the internet, and impress the world with our values!

I established VANK with my own color, not with great specs.

Now, many countries across the world come to VANK to learn about our promotional know-how. 

VANK members have started seeking their own dreams, other than the typical dreams of working for a large corporation or government.

They are pursuing their dreams to change Korea and the world.

I didn’t let the standard specs decide my future.

I took up the challenges to change Korea and the world.

What specs are you seeking?

Are your specs helping you improve yourself and your country?

VANK is looking for courageous and passionate young Koreans.

With VANK, you will change Korea and the world.

Real specs shouldn’t be English test scores or award history.

Instead, they are your passion and dedication to your dream.

Your passion and efforts will make more people know about Korea.

Through your efforts, the underprivileged children of the world will find their lost dreams.

You will bring ‘hope’ to everyone in the world. 

With us, young Koreans become the hope for the world.

Be true to yourself, and change the world!
Park Gitae, President of VANK