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VANK is organized for the purpose of uniting cyber diplomats who want build up friendship with foreign friends by exchanging sincere letters and sharing dream and visions before promoting Korea.<ref name=friendship>[http://www.prkorea.com/english/etc/about1.htm About VANK] VANK</ref> They share friendships with foreigners. Young Koreans are volunteering to share their sincere friendship via the internet with those interested in their nation.<ref>[http://prkorea.com/english/e_friends/e_friends1.htm Why don't you be a Friend of Korea?] VANK</ref> In addition, one of their goals is to introduce the achievements and milestones of Korea and Korean history and culture. Examples of campaigns they have conducted include spreading information about the ancient kingdom of [[Goguryeo]],<ref>{{citation|url=http://world.kbs.co.kr/japanese/town /town_trend_detail.htm?No=62|title=高句麗の歴史を守ろう/We must protect Koguryo's history|periodical=KBS World|date=2006-05-02|accessdate=2009-06-02}}</ref> and about [[Jikji]], the world's oldest extant book printed using movable metal type.<ref>{{citation|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LPOD&mid=etc&oid=003&aid=0000188868|periodical=The Chosun Ilbo|date= 2006-09-25|accessdate= 2006-09-25|title= 반크(VANK), 직지세계화에 나선다}}</ref>
VANK is organized for the purpose of uniting cyber diplomats who want build up friendship with foreign friends by exchanging sincere letters and sharing dream and visions before promoting Korea.<ref name=friendship>[http://www.prkorea.com/english/etc/about1.htm About VANK] VANK</ref> They share friendships with foreigners. Young Koreans are volunteering to share their sincere friendship via the internet with those interested in their nation.<ref>[http://prkorea.com/english/e_friends/e_friends1.htm Why don't you be a Friend of Korea?] VANK</ref> In addition, one of their goals is to introduce the achievements and milestones of Korea and Korean history and culture. Examples of campaigns they have conducted include spreading information about the ancient kingdom of [[Goguryeo]],<ref>{{citation|url=http://world.kbs.co.kr/japanese/town /town_trend_detail.htm?No=62|title=高句麗の歴史を守ろう/We must protect Koguryo's history|periodical=KBS World|date=2006-05-02|accessdate=2009-06-02}}</ref> and about [[Jikji]], the world's oldest extant book printed using movable metal type.<ref>{{citation|url=http://news.naver.com/main/read.nhn?mode=LPOD&mid=etc&oid=003&aid=0000188868|periodical=The Chosun Ilbo|date= 2006-09-25|accessdate= 2006-09-25|title= 반크(VANK), 직지세계화에 나선다}}</ref>


VANK publishes reading materials, postcards, maps, and videos to introduce Korea to foreigners. VANK's self-built online database of information about Korea is ackowledged by education centers and universities overseas as learning resources about Korea.<ref>[http://eastasian.nd.edu/korean-program/resources/ East Asia Languages and Cultures] [[University of Notre Dame]]</ref><ref>[http://www.angelo.edu/services/multicultural_activities/resources.php Multicultural Resources] [[Angelo State University]]</ref><ref>[http://www.gmu.edu/centers/ksc/related.html Korean studies for Global Understanding] [[George Mason University]]</ref> VANK also conducts surveys about foreigners' opinion of Korea, such as a notable survey about what sides of Korea interest foreigners the most. <ref>[http://view.koreaherald.com/kh/view.php?ud=20101026000868&cpv=0 Korean cooking classes available for expats] October 26, 2010 [[Korea Herald]] </ref>
VANK publishes reading materials, postcards, maps, and videos to introduce Korea to foreigners. VANK's self-built online database and published books with information about Korea is widely ackowledged by overseas universities as good learning resources about Korea.<ref>[http://eastasian.nd.edu/korean-program/resources/ East Asia Languages and Cultures] [[University of Notre Dame]]</ref><ref>[http://www.angelo.edu/services/multicultural_activities/resources.php Multicultural Resources] [[Angelo State University]]</ref><ref>[http://www.gmu.edu/centers/ksc/related.html Korean studies for Global Understanding] [[George Mason University]]</ref> VANK also conducts surveys about foreigners' opinion of Korea, such as a notable survey about what sides of Korea interest foreigners the most. <ref>[http://view.koreaherald.com/kh/view.php?ud=20101026000868&cpv=0 Korean cooking classes available for expats] October 26, 2010 [[Korea Herald]] </ref>


VANK insisting that the website rectify its "error" in using the name, such as the [[CIA World Factbook]], for posting "mistakes or inappropriate expressions" about Korea, including using geographic names, Korean history.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1018800/cia-gets-its-korean-facts-wrong|title=CIA gets its Korea facts wrong|periodical=The Inquirer|date=2006-12-13|accessdate=2007-10-06}}</ref><ref>[http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/EL23Dg01.html Northeast Asia's intra-mural mural wars By David Scofield] Dec 23, 2003, Asiatimes</ref> The head of the Voluntary Agency Network of Korea said the organization has corrected hundreds of mistaken statements by foreign governments about South Korea.<ref>[http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-28929076_ITM Organization corrects South Korea errors] UPI, 15-DEC-06</ref>
VANK insisting that the website rectify its "error" in using the name, such as the [[CIA World Factbook]], for posting "mistakes or inappropriate expressions" about Korea, including using geographic names, Korean history.<ref>{{citation|url=http://www.theinquirer.net/inquirer/news/1018800/cia-gets-its-korean-facts-wrong|title=CIA gets its Korea facts wrong|periodical=The Inquirer|date=2006-12-13|accessdate=2007-10-06}}</ref><ref>[http://www.atimes.com/atimes/Korea/EL23Dg01.html Northeast Asia's intra-mural mural wars By David Scofield] Dec 23, 2003, Asiatimes</ref> The head of the Voluntary Agency Network of Korea said the organization has corrected hundreds of mistaken statements by foreign governments about South Korea.<ref>[http://www.accessmylibrary.com/coms2/summary_0286-28929076_ITM Organization corrects South Korea errors] UPI, 15-DEC-06</ref>

Revision as of 09:02, 10 September 2012

Voluntary Agency Network of Korea
Hangul
반크
Revised RomanizationBankeu
McCune–ReischauerPank'ŭ

VANK, an acronym for Voluntary Agency Network of Korea, is a non-governmental South Korean organization made up of 60,000 Korean volunteers and 15,000 international members. According to its website, VANK members are Cyber Diplomats to introduce Korea to the world and World Changers to solve global issues wisely to change the world. VANK hopes that Korea will be the hub of Asia and gateway to northeast Asia.[1] It was started in 1999 as a small e-pal site and later it became well known organization that corrects international misrepresentations of Korea.[2]

Activities

VANK is organized for the purpose of uniting cyber diplomats who want build up friendship with foreign friends by exchanging sincere letters and sharing dream and visions before promoting Korea.[3] They share friendships with foreigners. Young Koreans are volunteering to share their sincere friendship via the internet with those interested in their nation.[4] In addition, one of their goals is to introduce the achievements and milestones of Korea and Korean history and culture. Examples of campaigns they have conducted include spreading information about the ancient kingdom of Goguryeo,[5] and about Jikji, the world's oldest extant book printed using movable metal type.[6]

VANK publishes reading materials, postcards, maps, and videos to introduce Korea to foreigners. VANK's self-built online database and published books with information about Korea is widely ackowledged by overseas universities as good learning resources about Korea.[7][8][9] VANK also conducts surveys about foreigners' opinion of Korea, such as a notable survey about what sides of Korea interest foreigners the most. [10]

VANK insisting that the website rectify its "error" in using the name, such as the CIA World Factbook, for posting "mistakes or inappropriate expressions" about Korea, including using geographic names, Korean history.[11][12] The head of the Voluntary Agency Network of Korea said the organization has corrected hundreds of mistaken statements by foreign governments about South Korea.[13]

Attack by Japanese internet users

Due to several disputes between Korea and Japan, VANK is an often target of attack by Internet users in Japan.[14][15] In 2002, Japanese internet users sent numerous large-capacity e-mail bombs to VANK members almost everyday. Japanese also sent numerous threatening e-mails to VANK members, such as "I will kill you," "Bombing at South Korea".[16]

In 2005, Google Earth's decision to use the name "East Sea" instead of Sea of Japan in their online maps led to widespread news coverage in Japan, including a profile in the Asahi Shimbun. In response, a Japanese website posted guidelines on how to write an English-language letter of protest to Google, and how to attack VANK's website; they were quoted as stating, "We must fight against VANK ... We lost our sea, but this does not mean a defeat. This is only the beginning". Japanese visitors flooded VANK’s homepage, paralyzing the site. Though it is undergoing a checkup, some of the documents have been destroyed. The Chosun Ilbo also reported that an insulting graphic was also inserted onto their front page.[17]

In 2008, after Mao Asada of Japan won a come-from-behind victory against Kim Yu-Na in a figure skating GP final, a Japanese Web site called 2ch, Japan's largest online community apparently helped some of its members target VANK online.[18] VANK were forced to cut off all access to their website from outside of Korea as a result.[14]

Japanese users often target VANK and their members by vandalism,[19] hacking [20] and a denial-of-service attack by Japanese internet activists.

Donation

VANK is an independent non-governmental and private organisation. According to VANK, they do not receive money from any organisation or corporation, and are run by donations.[21][22] It receives donation from Ministry of Education, Science and Technology of South Korea [23] VANK has received monetary support from the South Korean government; however, the amount has been decreased in recent years, from 80 million won in 2006 to 30 million won in 2008.[24][25] VANK is not controlled by the Korean Government. VANK was originally an international pen pal organization but VANK’s mission now extends beyond friendly exchange. In addition, VANK members search Web sites and history textbooks for what, in their opinion, are mispresentations about Korea, then send their publishers protest e-mails. For instance, VANK wages a continual campaign to change the name of the Sea of Japan to the East Sea. “We are aware that some people criticize us as nothing but nationalists who give one-sided facts to foreigners. But it is a misconception,” says Park Gi-Tae, VANK’s founder and director. Korea’s government encourages this cyber-vigilantism. The Korean Information Service (KOIS), the government’s public affairs branch, sponsors contests to hunt down foreign Web sites that have “incorrect” content about South Korea.[26][3]

Criticism

An About.com spokesman, relating his company's decision to use the name "East Sea" to refer to the body of water, stated that they chose to use the name "not necessarily because it agreed with the South Korean geography activists but because the e-mail bombardment was annoying." [27] It was reported in the Asia Times Online that they received as many as 20 e-mails per day regarding this issue from VANK.[28]

References

  1. ^ About VANK VANK
  2. ^ Founder's letter Founder tells how and why he set up VANK
  3. ^ a b About VANK VANK
  4. ^ Why don't you be a Friend of Korea? VANK
  5. ^ /town_trend_detail.htm?No=62 "高句麗の歴史を守ろう/We must protect Koguryo's history", KBS World, 2006-05-02, retrieved 2009-06-02 {{citation}}: Check |url= value (help)
  6. ^ "반크(VANK), 직지세계화에 나선다", The Chosun Ilbo, 2006-09-25, retrieved 2006-09-25
  7. ^ East Asia Languages and Cultures University of Notre Dame
  8. ^ Multicultural Resources Angelo State University
  9. ^ Korean studies for Global Understanding George Mason University
  10. ^ Korean cooking classes available for expats October 26, 2010 Korea Herald
  11. ^ "CIA gets its Korea facts wrong", The Inquirer, 2006-12-13, retrieved 2007-10-06
  12. ^ Northeast Asia's intra-mural mural wars By David Scofield Dec 23, 2003, Asiatimes
  13. ^ Organization corrects South Korea errors UPI, 15-DEC-06
  14. ^ a b Ha, Michael (2008-12-16), "VANK Web Site Attacked by Japanese Net Users", Korea Times
  15. ^ "Japanese Netizen Attacks VANK Web Site", Korean Broadcasting System, 2008-12-16, retrieved 2009-06-02
  16. ^ Japanese Internet users sent threaten mail to VANK membersTemplate:Ko Hankyoreh, 2002.11.20
  17. ^ "Korean Cyber Patriots Under Japanese Attack", Chosun Ilbo, 2005-08-21, archived from the original on 2007-03-11, retrieved 2009-06-02
  18. ^ "日네티즌 반크 집중공격..해외서 접속불가", Naver News/Yonhap News, 2008-12-15, retrieved 2008-12-15
  19. ^ http://joongangdaily.joins.com/article/view.asp?aid=2898652
  20. ^ http://www.koreatimes.co.kr/www/news/nation/2008/12/116_36215.html
  21. ^ Interview of VANKTemplate:Ko dcnews, 2008-12-01
  22. ^ History Distortion, Do not Move! hanyangian.com
  23. ^ "Official Support for 'Cyber Diplomats' to Continue", The Chosun Ilbo, 2008-10-22, retrieved 2008-10-28
  24. ^ "반크 정부 지원예산 삭감에 네티즌 반발 거세", Asia Today, 2008-10-21, retrieved 2008-10-21
  25. ^ "VANK支援問題：李大統領、予算配分を直接指示", The Chosun Ilbo, 2008-10-25, retrieved 2008-10-25
  26. ^ But, sometimes this organization is referred as cyber-terrorist. Korea’s Cyber Vigilantes foreignpolicy
  27. ^ Sea of Japan vs. East Sea, About.com: Geography, February 24, 2002
  28. ^ Scofield, David (2003-12-23), "Northeast Asia's intra-mural mural wars", Asia Times, retrieved 2007-10-06
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