Interview with Inhwan Ko (CS of USNSC)

Inhwan Ko, a rising sophomore at Yonsei University, is the Committee Secretariat of YMUN 2012 in USNSC. He currently graduated open major and is planning to study international studies and environment. Even with no experience studying abroad, he has chaired in seven MUNs, including MUNOS. He has also participated in the Youth Assembly in the United Nations Headquarters in New York as a representative of Korean Commission for UNESCO. Just as his experiences depict, his motto for MUN is,  'What's important is not your ability to speak English, but your enthusiasm.' He is more than excited to deliver this motto to all participating in YMUN 2012.

1.) Do you have any MUN experiences you’d like to share?

Since 2009, I've participated in 13 MUNs or conferences including YMUN 2012 this year. The one that I would like to recommend is Global Model United Nations. In 2011 it was the 3rd annual conference in (fortunately) Incheon, so I was really glad to introduce the Korean culture to foreign colleagues. It is held by the United Nations, inviting the Secretary-General Ban as a guest speaker and Under-Secretary-General Kiyotaka Akasaka for the supervisor; you may notice how significance GMUN is considered by the United Nations. Having this representative value, GMUN is one of the most renouned and biggest MUNs in the world--about 800 delegates from more than 50 countries gathered in Incheon. If you have a chance to challenge GMUN later, please feel free to ask me any questions--from the application process to preparation!

2.) What are some challenges you faced when participating in MUN? 

Since I was not familiar with some important notions or concepts of international relations, it was really hard to behave in accordance with the nation's interests while acting as a delegate. Rather, I was always looking for some idealistic approaches that will in turn have little impact on the global society. I simply lacked a 'realist point of view.' After I start studying international politics  in university, the way to be a real 'delegate' became much clearer.  But I still prefer topics that need a little idealistic approach such as environment; and I'm going to specialize in that field so as to both utilize my strong point and at the same time reinforce what I usually lack.

3.) What aspect of MUN do you consider most valuable?

A valuable factor is the depth of knowledge that students get to possess through the experience. Researching prior to the conference is the most significant part of participating in MUN.

4.) What are your top 3 tips for a successful YMUN experience?
First, do a lot of research. MUNs are all about researching. Your performance will be based on how much you've researched.

Second, know thyself! Are you a person who needs a script for a perfect speech? Or can you just improvise your speech? Don't worry if you are not good in English - just prepare as much as you can (wih key words and etc.) prior to the conference. Are you a person who likes to write a resolution? Or are you so sociable that you would prefer gathering with fellow delegates and share your ideas with them? Knowing yourself defines the strategy you must pursue during the conference.

Last, alway keep your manners. Although MUN cannot be a real UN conference, it is definitely a place where people gather and talk about serious matters. Discussion always needs an order and not only student officers but participants must keep that in mind. So be cooperative to what student officers advise to you, and please remember your ettiquette will be the most important aspect for the evaluation.

5.) Any last words for this year's YMUN delegates? 

Again, your confidence is built up on your research, and that preparation must begin by knowing yourself. Your performance should always be in accordance with manners. We look forward to your wonderful experience with us. Good luck with your MUNs!

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Interview with Young-Hyou Park (CS of EU)

Young-Hyou Park, currently enrolled as an undergraduate at Yonsei’s Underwood International College, is the Committee Secretariat of the EU of YMUN 2012. He has been lucky to live abroad and encounter various cultures, especially while studying in Hong Kong. Such an ambience has fueled him to get interested in areas related with foreign matters and eventually into Model United Nations. He considers his past conferences at MUN as the highlight of his high school years.

1.) Do you have any MUN experiences you’d like to share?

My first MUN experience was AMUN2009. I was the delegate of Sweden in GA1. Compared to other MUN conferences such as YMUN or KMUN, AMUN GA1 was a relatively a small committee. However, at the time, to a beginner like me, the size did not matter too much. On the first day of the conference, I was confused of the ROP and was overwhelmed by the atmosphere of the committee and hence, made a lot of mistakes. For instance, I raised an irrelevant Point of Inquiry so the chair advised me to get back to the seat without getting a chance to respond. I was so embarrassed that my ears turned red and got notes from other delegates to cheer up. While researching and preparing for the AMUN, I was very looking forward to it, but after the first day of the conference, it turned out to be a total nightmare. However, starting from the second day, by listening closely to other delegates, I started to understand the ROP and the flow of the debate. Though I made mistakes again on the second day, I got confident with the committee and onthe last day, my resolution passed after a heated debate.

2.) What are some challenges you faced when participating in MUN?

 One of the common challenges I faced when participating in MUN was getting familiar with the Rule of Procedures. Because different MUN conferences take different ROPs, it is often confusing and difficult to get through the conference without making a single mistake with the ROP. Another challenge was getting approval of the resolution I was working on from other delegates. As delegates form big groups, it is difficult to get approval from other groups as they often have clashing arguments. Also, such activity often takes place from the second day afternoon, when it is very grueling both mentally and physically, after going through many debates, wearing formal attire that is quite uncomfortable.

3.) What aspect of MUN do you consider most valuable?

 I believe that getting an opportunity to debate deeply about a single matter in English is the most valuable aspect of MUN. Throughout our high school years, we rarely get a chance to debate and study deeply about practical and real-world matters and almost never debate about such topics in English. However, since MUN gives an opportunity to do so, I think that it is the most valuable feature of MUN.

4.)  What are your top 3 tips for a successful YMUN experience?

GET YOURSELF INVOLVED!!

- After all, any and all types of activities that happen throughout the conference require active participation of each and every delegate. If one does not get involved during the conference, I truly believe that there is nothing that can be earned other than the YMUN 2012 certificate of participance.

LISTEN CAREFULLY

-Since a large part of the conference is debating, it is essential that one listens carefully to others. In order to persuade others, one must first understand the argument of other delegates’ speeches, to do so, one must concentrate when others are speaking during the conference.

DO NOT BE AFRAID OF MISTAKES

-Especially for beginners, many of the delegates do not participate actively because they are afraid of making mistakes and worry about being laughed at. However, one can only truly enjoy and improve after overcoming mistakes. Everyone makes mistakes and if you don't participate simply because of this fear, you are making a REAL MISTAKE;)

5.) Any last words for this year's YMUN delegates?

 For experienced MUN participants, I truly hope that this conference will become the highlight of your MUN career. As for novice delegates, I truly hope that YMUN 2012 become the most memorable MUN conference where you had learned a lot.

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Interview with Ji-Young Hwang (CS of SC)

Ji-Young Hwang, better known as Jenny, is a rising sophomore at Yonsei University's Underwood International College. She is the Committee Secretariat for this year's Security Council, and here are some random facts about her. First, she is a complete bookworm. Second, she apparently has a huge forehead!? She confesses that even the thought of having once exposed it to the public is catastrophic. She has now covered herself up with a side fringe;) How adorable.

1.) Do you have any MUN experiences you’d like to share? A YDMUN experience I would like to share is simply the fun friendly atmosphere we have. Amongst all the serious topics and matters we discuss in our meetings, YDMUN is simply like a family and I have come to love the group as my 2nd family. Our weekly sessions always have something fun and entertaining about them. YDMUN identifies every individuals' mistakes and helps fix them without any criticism or scolding. In one sentence, the MUN experience I would say in general and overall is an enjoyable experience and that itself is an experience I would like to share and spread among other people.

2.) What are some challenges you faced when participating in MUN?

I am more of an independent person so it was challenging for me to work together with people (especially in the beginning of YDMUN) with distribution of work, deadlines and checking up for the good of the whole group. Once I got used to it however, and got close to the people I was working with, it became a joy to work with them and be part of the group. For MUN in general, I think the toughest challenge for me was to hold back many things I wanted to say. Obviously, MUN has many rules (no direct conversations allowed) and you have to stay on topic, etc. MUN is just a type of way of communication you have to get used to.

3.) What aspect of MUN do you consider most valuable?

Meeting new people. I have met many individuals just through having participated in MUN. Or even better, even without having done MUN with them, if I have a contact who does a lot of MUN, then it automatically leads me to others who also do MUN. Such automatic flow of contacts, I think, is one of the most valuable outcomes of MUN. For the most valuable aspect of the process of MUN, MUN helps a person become confident and more outspoken; focused and on the point. It also improves one's ability to discuss and negotiate (not debate or fight). 

4.) What are your top 3 tips for a successful YMUN experience?
BE CONFIDENT. There will be people who try to bring you down or go against your idea; it's important to have confidence and not get beaten by this.

HAVE FUN. MUN is about doing well in the committee and there will be competition amongst the delegates to win the awards but having fun really is the key to properly enjoy a MUN experience; you will meet some wonderful people and make many new friends.

Have lots of BACKGROUND KNOWLEDGE/RESEARCH on the topic. Having an expansive knowledge on your topic and even just the UN will naturally help you become more confident. 

5.) Any last words for this year's YMUN delegates?

Just try to have fun. Be an active participant and try to contribute all you can WHILE you can. There are many people who go away from MUN regretting because they didn't speak as much as they could have. Don't be the one who feel this way. Do everything you can. Contribute and have fun whilst in the moment(:

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Interview with Yoo-Jun Cheon (CS of ECOSOC)

Yoo-Jun Cheon, an undergrauate at Yonsei's Underwood International College, will be serving as the Committee Secretariat of ECOSOC in YMUN 2012. He graduated from Kyunggi High School and learned several languages in an effort to communicate with all sorts of people around the world. Yoo-Jun believes that the underlying virtue of MUN is "communication."


1.)  Do you have any MUN experiences you’d like to share?  
Frankly, I have been to KMUN, MUNOS, AYP, and HMC (Harvard Model Congress). In each MUN, I learned different things. How to get kicked by the other delegates, how to speak in front of the crowds, how to write resolutions, and how to treat different people from different regions & nations. However, the best is YDMUN because you can get a taste all of them in YDMUN!!  


2.) What are some challenges you faced when participating in MUN?
The greatest challenge during the MUNs was mute. In my first MUN, I had a great ability to endow silence upon the conference room. I really could not talk. The chair even sent me a note to encourage my speech. Oh my goodness, I was so embarassed. I hope all the delegates can confidently deliver their speech in front of the crowds, and this is the only way you can prove that you have a strong will to convey your values/opinions and you will not turn into a person like me in the past :)


 3.) What aspect of MUN do you consider most valuable?
 There are two aspects of MUN I consider valuable; relationships and failure. You will get to know lots of other delegates with different traits and atttactions. MUN is a social arena where you can publicly lobby and share opinions with each other. During this process, you will learn how to treat other people and persuade other people. Also, some of you may find your loves during the conference, but please refrain yourselves from sending love letters during the sessions :) Moreover, you will get plenty of opportunities to get persuaded or hit on the back by other delegates. Even if these things happen, do not be depressed and look on the bright side. At least you get to learn something from those who have different abilities and characteristics.

4.) What are your top 3 tips for a successful YMUN experience?
Tolerance/absence.  Eye Contact. Proper dress code and manner. I think these 3 things are key elements to a successful YMUN experience. You cannot always stay focused and may get bored. However, even if that is the case, try to endure, so that you will not lose your concentration. This is the moment when you prove the fact that you are capable of overcoming the obstacles in front of you. Also, try to maintain your eye contact with other delegates when you are delivering a speech because this will help you enhance your confidence in the long term. Last but not least, try to have a proper attire during the conference because that is the least manner for the conference as a whole and of course, you guys will look fantastic with your suits. (Sorry for being so serious in No.4) 


 5.) Any last words for this year's YMUN delegates?
Carpe Diem, delegates! Enjoy what are in front of you ~ :) If you cannot avoid them, you can just enjoy your sessions with me in ECOSOC. Welcome, and let us have a great time together!

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Interview with Shi-Heun Lee (CS of UNEP)

Shi-Heun Lee, a rising junior at Yonsei University’s Underwood International College, is the Committee Secretariat of UNEP. If there’s a word that could describe her, it would definitely be "optimism." She always thinks positively, and this led her to a heart to value everything she encounters. She considers YMUN 2012 as one of the most valuable experiences.

1. Do you have any MUN experiences you’d like to share?
My very first experience of MUN was in sophomore year at high school. As MUN requires delegates to speak in front of many people, it indeed was a challenge for me. I had never been out in the podium before, and never did I have the opportunity to stand in front of hundreds of people. I was so shy and scared to speak; in fact, I did not say a word on the first day of MUN. I came back home that day, thinking I should change my attitude or at least try to say something. So, from the second day I spoke out. Although I did not get any awards, I definitely think that it was a chance worth taking, and my love for MUN grew ever since.

2. What are some challenges you faced when participating in MUN?An adversity that I encountered was that of communication. As MUN consists of making resolutions by persuading and communicating with other delegates, it is important to interact with others verbally. Thus, delegates must be well-acknowledged of the agenda and be full of great contents. Should this hardship be overcome, MUN would be very easy and fun!

3. What aspect of MUN do you consider most valuable?MUN is an opportunity that opens up possibilities. When students participate in MUN as delegates, they can exert their potentials either by speaking up in front of everybody or persuading other delegates. In fact, there are many students who decided to become a diplomat after experiences of MUN. I really hope that the students will discover their potentials in MUN. MUN is just the right place for that!

4. Any last words for this year's YMUN delegates?MUN is more than just a conference. It is the place where you encounter people with different ideas and deal with them through conversations. Thus, learn as much as you can and face as many people as you can. MUN will truly be an enriching experience for one's life.

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Interview with Suryn Kim (CS of UNHRC)

Suryn Kim is YMUN’s Committee Secretariat for the United Nations Human Rights Council. She is currently a junior, majoring in Political Science and International Relations at Yonsei University’s Underwood International College. She hopes that YMUN's delegates of this year will witness how international governance of the 21st century is implemented through the UN.

1.) Do you have any MUN experiences you’d like to share?
I participated in the Model United Nations of Seoul Summit in 2006. Like the delegates that will be participating in YMUN this year, I too was once a high school student, a novice at public speaking and MUN. But throughout the process as the delegate of Greece at the Human Rights Council, I gained confidence thanks to the encouragement and support of the chair and fellow delegates. I hope YMUN 2012 will also be a valuable learning experience for those who have the will to put in the time and effort into generating fruitful debate.

2.) What are some challenges you faced when participating in MUN?

The biggest challenge for me was the task of gathering up the nerve to speak in front of many people. For students who aren't used to situations that require them to speak, it may be difficult and daunting. But I want to encourage delegates that confidence is the key, and that there is no need to feel intimidated. The liberal and academic atmosphere of YMUN welcomes you to learn as much as possible and gain experience so that the delegates, as potential global leaders, can obtain experience in a cooperative setting.

3.) What aspect of MUN do you consider most valuable?

The most valuable aspect of MUN is that delegates are given an opportunity to thrive in an academically stimulating environment. The brightest and most passionate students flock to MUN to learn from each other and from the experience itself. The significance of MUN lies in the fact that it is an eye-opening and exciting experience for students that aspire to be the global leaders of the future.

4.) What are your top 3 tips for a successful YMUN experience?When preparing for YMUN please remember three words: Motivation, concentration, and relation. You have to be truly motivated to learn from the experience. MUN is not just another event to attend during winter break. Please keep in mind that students from all over the country participate, and only those with true determination will be able to gain from the experience. Concentration is important in terms of the time and effort you put into preparing for and actively participating in MUN. The more you are prepared, the better your performance will be. But most important of all is the relationship among delegates. A cooperative and mutually supportive relationship with your fellow peers will help in positively influencing each other. The relationship with the like-minded peers that you meet will go beyond this year's MUN. I strongly encourage delegates to approach this opportunity to meet new people with an open mind.

5.) Any last words for this year’s YMUN delegates?

I encourage all delegates to make the most of YMUN 2012 by being prepared and enjoying the learning experience at YMUN.

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Interview with Hyeong-Seon Shin (CS of GA2)

Hyeong-Seon Shin, an undergraduate of Underwood International Colelge, is the Committee Secretariat of this year's General Assembly II. As he understands what it feels like to be a newcomer to MUN, he promises that he will do his best to create a smooth and comfortable atmosphere for middle school students. He hopes the very best for all delegates participating in YMUN 2012.

1.) What are some challenges you faced when participating in MUN?

Since fellow participants are very cooperative and helpful there are no serious challenges regarding the MUN itself. However, my best concern was English. Since I'm Korean and my mother toungue is Korean, it is not that comfortable to elaborate my thoughts in English. I was concerned that there might be some constraints in expressing my thoughts in English.

2.) What aspect of MUN do you consider most valuable?

The best part of MUN is surely the social network that is formed. This is a great experience and definitely an amazing opportunity to bond with various students. This, the connection formed in MUN,  will surely be an asset throughout your life.

3.) What are your top 3 tips for a successful YMUN experience?
BE CONFIDENT. All fellow deligates are the same students as you are. They feel the same when approaching the podium or making a speech. So do not be afraid. Just do it.

CONCENTRATE ON YOUR CONTENT. Don't put so much effort in your English. Many friends think that YMUN is a English skill competition. But this is hardly true. It's a contest where you elaborate your thoughts and logic. English is just a tool. Focus on the logic or the thinking process and try to convince fellow delegates through your content, not your English.

BE OPEN TO FELLOW DELEGATES. Do not be afraid to make new friends, and do not be afraid to open up yourself.  

4.) Any last words for this year's YMUN delegates?

Weclome all delegates! Enjoy yourself!

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