Korea Youth Summit 2026 Honors Outstanding Young Leaders in Seoul

SEOUL, JurnalPost.com — The Korea Youth Summit (KYS) 2026 presented a series of awards to young participants from various countries following an international leadership program held in Seoul, South Korea, from September 7–10, 2026.

The program, organized by Youth Break the Boundaries, marked the third edition of the Korea Youth Summit. This year, the event carried the theme “Empowering Youth Through Cultural Synergy” with the tagline “Living Culture, Lasting Legacy.”

KYS 2026 brought together young people from diverse backgrounds to exchange ideas, build networks, and develop projects and concepts through cross-cultural collaboration.

In addition to participant activities, the forum featured four speakers with expertise in international business, human rights, peace, innovation, and cross-cultural communication.

Among them was Samer Samhoun, Founder and CEO of Phoenix International Korea, who discussed his experience in global trade, strategies for entering new markets, and developing cross-border partnerships.

Another speaker, Kim Kang-Hyuk, a North Korean defector active in human rights and reunification issues, shared his life experiences as part of a discussion on freedom, human dignity, and peace on the Korean Peninsula.

KYS 2026 also featured Hyanghwa Kwak, a Mechanical Engineering student at the University of Washington who is active in youth leadership and peacebuilding through Global Peace Youth and the Alliance for Korea United at UW.

Meanwhile, Kwon Hae-suk, Founder and CEO of World Dagachi, led a discussion on cross-cultural communication and digital innovation, including the use of technology to bridge the gap between foreign communities and local residents in Korea.

List of Korea Youth Summit 2026 Winners

The Korea Youth Summit 2026 committee selected several participants as award recipients based on the contested categories.

Best Group – Group 1

1. Josephin Seraphin

2. Dominique Barksdale

3. Nur Safi Nabilah Binti Laja Hassan

4. Yousef Qaroos

5. Mariam Elawadi

1st Place Best Idea Innovation – Group 2

1. Srinevetha Asaithambi Rajalakshmi

2. Do Cao Thuy Vy

3. Forkulitsa Olesia

2nd Place Best Idea Innovation – Group 3

1. Huang Weiye

2. Liu Jiangnan

3. Wang Hao

4. Cui Manjin

5. He Jiaxin

3rd Place Best Idea Innovation – Group 4

1. Tian ZhenJia

2. Liao Lihui

3. Xiao Yan Liu

4. Wang Zhaokun

Best Presenter

1. Xiao Yan Liu

2. Wang Hao

3. Joseph Hahmmin Kang

Best Participant

Srinevetha Asaithambi Rajalakshmi

Best Leader

Dominique Barksdale

1st Place Best Idea Innovation – High School Category

1. Syira Rafilah Putri Suratman

2. Azalea Raihanah Adiva

3. Qotrunnada Nafiza Husna

4. Gelsy Zhynee Rayfani

5. Andi Raudatul Jannah Salsabila

Honorable Mention

Joseph Hahmmin Kang

The list of award recipients was determined by the committee's decision and is part of the official documentation of the Korea Youth Summit 2026.

Chairman of the Korea Youth Summit 2026, Muhammad Aldi Subakti, expressed his appreciation for the participants' involvement throughout the program.

“We truly appreciate all the participants who have been part of the Korea Youth Summit 2026. Your enthusiasm and contributions made this summit so meaningful. We hope the ideas and networks built here will continue to grow into significant collaborations and provide a positive impact after this program ends,” said Aldi.

Through this series of activities, participants not only competed in various categories but also had the opportunity to exchange perspectives on leadership, innovation, peace, global business, and cross-cultural communication.

Awards were presented to participants who demonstrated excellence in innovation, presentation skills, leadership, participation, and teamwork during the Korea Youth Summit 2026.