Korea launches new group of overseas volunteers

(ATTN: UPDATES with remarks from President Lee in paras 6-8, minor edits)
By Byun Duk-kun
SEOUL, May 7 (Yonhap) -- South Korea launched a new, integrated group of overseas
volunteers Thursday as part of its campaign to increase its international
assistance and improve its global image.
The group, World Friends Korea, plans to send some 3,000 volunteers abroad every
year, up from about 2,000 South Korean assistant workers going to foreign
countries each year under various other programs.
The group, to be the second-largest following the United States' 8,000-strong
Peace Corps, was launched under a government plan to improve the country's
national image.
"With the launch of World Friends Korea, the country will work to build an image
of Korea that is a friend to all other nations in the world while expanding its
role in the international community as a responsible member," the presidential
office Cheong Wa Dae said in a press release.
The new volunteer group was launched in a ceremony at Cheong Wa Dae, attended by
President Lee Myung-bak and some 300 people to be dispatched overseas in the near
future.
Lee asked the volunteers to stay humble in their tasks. "Though you are going to
provide assistance to other nations, you will not be welcome if you act or work
with a mindset that you are there to help," he said.
Lee said help becomes more valuable, as well as more readily accepted, only when
it is sincere.
"Your help will be better received when you respect their customs, abide by their
laws and understand their culture and history, and treat the people of your host
nations with respect and sincere hearts," he said.
Under the image campaign, South Korea also plans to launch a new scholarship
program for international students coming to the country to study.
In addition, the country is moving forward with a new development assistance
plan, through which it will share its development experience with other nations.
bdk@yna.co.kr
(END)