August 8, 2026 · Online
Hwarang International hosted its inaugural Global Debate Championship on August 8, 2026, bringing together young debaters from across its global community.
Students competed in Junior and Senior divisions using the Public Forum Debate format, exchanging perspectives on timely issues surrounding artificial intelligence, education, and the changing workplace.
The Senior Grand Final and Awards Ceremony were broadcast live on the official Hwarang International YouTube channel.
Award Recipients
Senior Division — Team Awards
Champion — Janis Kim (G11 · Shilla Chapter) & Edric Kim (G11)
- Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, presented by a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
- President's Award — Overseas Korean News (재외동포신문사 사장상)
Excellence Award — Olivia Suh (G11 · San Diego Chapter) & Lana Smallwood (G11)
- Mayor's Commendation — Office of the Mayor of Los Angeles
- Chairperson's Award — National Movement for Restoring Korean Identity (겨레얼살리기국민운동본부 이사장상)
Semifinalists — Soohyeong Kim (G11 · Hangang Chapter) & Nathan Lee (G11 · Hangang Chapter)
- President's Award — Overseas Korean News (재외동포신문사 사장상)
Semifinalists — Ahin Yi (G9 · Jeju Chapter) & Estelle Eunseo Cho (G9)
- Chairperson's Award — National Movement for Restoring Korean Identity (겨레얼살리기국민운동본부 이사장상)
Senior Division — Best Speaker Awards
- 1st Place — Lana Smallwood (G11)
- 2nd Place (Tied) — Edric Kim (G11), Ethan Um (G10 · Fremont Chapter), Samuel Kim (G11 · Bethany Chapter)
- 3rd Place (Tied) — Olivia Suh (G11 · San Diego Chapter), Janis Kim (G11 · Shilla Chapter), Estelle Eunseo Cho (G9)
- 4th Place (Tied) — Kevin Lee (G10 · Fremont Chapter), Peter Koo (G9 · Temecula Chapter)
- 5th Place (Tied) — Felicity Tran (G11), Jason Kim (G10 · BeWick Chapter), Gina You (G11 · Amerige Chapter), Ahin Yi (G9 · Jeju Chapter)
Junior Division — Team Awards
Champion — Faith Raelle Bae (G7) & Kate Kim (G7)
- President's Award — Overseas Korean News (재외동포신문사 사장상)
Excellence Award — Vincent Lee (G8 · HCP Chapter) & Ethan Chock (G8 · HCP Chapter)
- Chairperson's Award — National Movement for Restoring Korean Identity (겨레얼살리기국민운동본부 이사장상)
Junior Division — Best Speaker Awards
- 1st Place — Ethan Chock (G8 · HCP Chapter)
- 2nd Place — Kate Kim (G7)
- 3rd Place — Emilia Wright (G7)
- 4th Place (Tied) — Faith Raelle Bae (G7), Joshua Kim (G8 · Cupertino Chapter)
Best Leadership Award
- Seah Jin — Tournament Director — President's Award, Overseas Korean News (재외동포신문사 사장상) · Best Leadership Award
- Sean Park — Judge Coordination Lead — Chairperson's Award, National Movement for Restoring Korean Identity (겨레얼살리기국민운동본부 이사장상) · Best Contribution Award
The championship was student-led throughout, with Hwarang student officers managing tournament operations and the live broadcast.
Organizing Team
- Tournament Director — Seah Jin
- Judge Coordination Lead — Sean Park
- Operations Lead — Jeongmin Oh
- Technical Operations Director — Yein Lee
- Outreach Director — Gyu Dam Lee
- Marketing Director — Seunga Oh
- Content Director — Yunsu Gim
Media Coverage
The championship was featured by Overseas Korean News.
Watch the Grand Final
Watch the Senior Grand Final & Awards Ceremony.