Family Camp for Overseas Koreans to Foster Understanding of Homeland's History and Resolve to Protect Dokdo

Independence Hall (Director Kim Hyung-seok) successfully concluded the first session of the ‘Do you know Korea and Dokdo?’ family camp for overseas Koreans visiting Korea during the summer vacation in June and July.

This year's family camp, planned for two sessions, began recruiting participants in March through the websites of Independence Hall and the Overseas Koreans Agency. A total of 71 overseas Koreans from 22 families across 6 countries, including Finland, France, the United States, Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and Italy, applied. The first session, held from June 25-26, saw the participation of 32 individuals from 11 families across 3 countries: Finland, France, and the United States.

The 1-night, 2-day camp's first day featured an exploration program of Independence Hall's exhibition halls and outdoor exhibits, including the dismantled 조선총독부 (Joseon Government-General Building) materials exhibition park, focusing on modern Korean history and the independence movement. On the second day, activities included historical data exploration to reflect on the meaning of protecting Korea's Dokdo and a "Dokdo 3D map" making experience.

Following the first session, the second session will be held from July 2-3, with 39 overseas Koreans from 11 families across 6 countries, including Thailand, the United Arab Emirates, and Italy, expected to participate. An overseas Korean participant in the family camp shared, "It was a beneficial time to learn about Dokdo and Korean history in an engaging way."