The Model United Nations of Seoul celebrated its 10th anniversary this year in unprecedented fashion. Held in the hub of Seoul’s most famous luxury district, the largest and most historic Model UN conference in South Korea opened its three day conference on July 26th in proper “Gangnam Style”.
MUNOS (Model United Nations of Seoul) is a conference hosted by Korea’s largest media group Chosun Ilbo and its education sub-sector Chosun Education. This year marked the 10th session for MUNOS and the conference was planned on an unparalleled scale with events and performances that fittingly upheld the prestige MUNOS is known for in Korea. Welcoming a thousand delegates and staff members from all over the world, MUNOS expanded its size this year in order to further actualize its mission to provide a stage large enough for students’ voices to be heard and for their pragmatic solutions to echo throughout the international community.
The opening ceremonies at MUNOS were held at the Riverside Hotel located in the heart of Seoul’s Gangnam district. The four hour affair consisted of speeches by UNESCAP Consultant Joo Young Kim, Harvard Model Congress President Adam P. Ziemba, MITMUNC Secretariats Cory Hernandez and Michael Veldman, a presentation regarding Save the Children’s Goat-Sending Project, and a special sand art performance which commemorated MUNOS’ 10th anniversary. The ceremony was highlighted by a four-course meal for all the delegates, guests, and staff members in attendance and MUNOS 2013 kicked off to the sound of three loud blows of the exclusively manufactured MUNOS crystal gavel.
The committee sessions at MUNOS took place in Korea’s most renowned COEX Convention Center also located in Seoul’s Gangnam district. Approximately 30 rooms were opened including campaign rooms where delegates from the Save the Children committee sold T-shirts, bracelets, broaches, clipboard, files, etc. in order to raise money for the Goat-Sending Project. (MUNOS was honored to be able to sponsor a total of 22 goats for the Save the Children foundation.) The MUNOS Crisis Committee implemented a pre-World War II era historical simulation and delegates took on the roles of President Eisenhower, General MacArthur, Admiral Nimitz, etc. to bring down the Axis of Evil and bring peace to the global sphere.
The three-day MUNOS conference came to an end with a plenary session followed by a closing ceremony where the General Assembly committees presented their resolutions and the Save the Children committee announced the results of their three-day fundraising effort. Of course the main concern for all the delegates was the awards presentation where recipients were prized the coveted MUNOS crystal gavel. The MUNOS Secretariat and Chair Members also prepared a grand finale dancing to Psy’s “Gentleman” to top the icing on a truly “Gangnam Style” Model UN Conference.
Delegates listen to a speaker from UNESCAP during opening ceremonies.
Delegates eagerly raise their placards during a plenary session.
MUNOS staff members pose together.
Delegates react to a crisis situation.
Conference staff work to promote Save the Children, the MUNOS charity for the weekend.
MUNOS chairs perform Psy’s popular song “Gentleman” at closing ceremonies.
