UNJournal Jon Lee |  The '2025 44th New Year Leadership Development Highest Course for Culture and Arts' hosted by the Korea Paper Culture Foundation-World Jongie Jupgi Organization (Chairwoman Rho Young-hye) was held at the Jongie Nara Museum in Jangchung-dong, Seoul on Feb. 10.

The event was attended by more than 100 participants, including foundation executives, education directors, branch directors, and specially registered instructors for leadership training, who shared their vision for the globalization of Korea Jongie Jupgi (Paper folding).

Delivering welcome speech, Chairwoman Rho said, “2025 is the 'Year of the Blue Snake,' a time when we should grow by discovering our creativity and potential without fearing change. I hope we can all develop together through challenges and innovation."

She also introduced Korea Jongie Jupgi (Paper folding) activities in the United States and abroad, and promised continued efforts to spread the activities globally.

In particular, the special lectures on Korean language and culture at the Washington Unified Korean School in the U.S. and the Korea Jongie Jupgi (Paper folding) teacher certification ceremony at the Washington Paper Culture Education Institute were evaluated as examples of how Korea Jongie Jupgi (Paper folding) is becoming a global cultural arts education program.

At the highest course for culture and arts, various lectures were held, including ▲ 'The Play of a Piece of Paper and the Power of the Play' by Professor Han Yoo-jin of Myeongji University, ▲ 'The Importance of Teacher Training and Feedback on Teaching Activities' by Jung Myeong-sook, President of the Paper Culture Association, ▲ 'The Historical Value of Korea Jongie Jupgi (Paper folding) and Paper Culture' by Bang Dae-gwang, a history teacher at Korea University-affiliated High School, and ▲ 'Online and Offline Teaching Methods' by Park Mi-ja, a Korean origami master.

In addition, the establishment ceremony of the Suwon Kwonseondangsuji Branch and the Seattle Branch in the United States were held, marking an important milestone in the expansion of the Korea Paper Culture Foundation's global network.

To further the globalization of Korea Jongie Jupgi (Paper folding), Korea Paper Culture Foundation is also actively participating in the “2nd Korean Origami Festival Hanmadang to Commemorate the 60th Anniversary of Diplomatic Relations between Japan and Korea” held at the Korean School in Tokyo, Japan this year. At the event, Kim Young-man, President of the Lifelong Education Institute of Korea Paper Culture Foundation, will deliver a lecture on the excellence of Korean origami, and contribute to the spread of Korean culture by operating a talent donation volunteer group.

Korea Paper Culture Foundation and World Jongie Jupgi Organization are developing ongoing research and educational programs to ensure that Korea Jongie Jupgi (Paper folding) becomes more than just a hobby, but an important part of cultural education. “We will do our best to establish Korea Jongie Jupgi (Paper folding) as a global cultural content representating Korea,” said Chairwoman Rho Young-hye, ”and we will continue to promote the culture of origami through various activities at home and abroad.”

The event further emphasized the importance of origami education and leadership development, and confirmed that the leadership and dedication of Chairwoman Rho Young-hye is playing a major role in the development of Korea Jongie Jupgi (Paper folding) as a cultural content recognized on the global stage.