In July 2026, I spent a week in South Korea on a program called the UN Youth Peace Camp. 

This program was designed to bring the grandchildren and great-grandchildren of Korean War Veterans together. People from each of the 22 sending states have the opportunity to apply and potentially go to Korea. 144 participants were included in this year's camp, from 13 different countries. 

Each of us was allocated to a group of ten people (I was proudly Group 5). As part of our itinerary, we stayed in Seoul and Busan. We experienced many incredible things, including visits to Camp Greaves, Gyeonggi Province, the Korean Folk Village, Seoul National Cemetery, and the War Memorial of Korea. In Busan, we explored Taejongdae, the United Nations Peace Memorial Hall, the United Nations Memorial Cemetery, and Gwangalli Beach. We even got a live performance from ‘Hook’, a Korean dance group. 

However, the most enthralling aspect of the Camp was that within our individual groups, we were tasked with designing and presenting a product of our own design, meant to promote awareness of the program and the Korean War or, as it is commonly known, the Forgotten War. What was truly incredible about the Hackathon Project was that if you came first in the judges’ rankings, the South Korean government would manufacture and distribute your design. 

The most invaluable experience I had whilst in Korea was making amazing memories with amazing people that I will never forget. Overall, we were brought together to continue the collaboration and friendship our grandfathers and great-grandfathers began between each diverse nation 75 years ago in the same place. I believe we did them proud.