SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA -- The Youth Goodwill Guide (YGG), a college student volunteer group operated by Hi Seoul Youth Hostel—established by the Seoul Metropolitan Government and managed by the Korea Youth Association (President Kim Hyun-jip)—announced that it is now accepting year-round applications for its free volunteer interpretation service for international visitors to Seoul. Applications can be submitted through the online application form accessible via the Hi Seoul Youth Hostel website.

Launched in 2011, YGG is a college student volunteer group that provides tailored interpretation services for international visitors exploring Seoul's history, culture, and major attractions. Over the past 15 years, the group has served more than 7,100 international visitors exploring Seoul through its volunteer interpretation service. Currently in its 16th term with 30 active members, YGG serves as a cultural bridge for global visitors, helping bridge cultural and language barriers and offering cultural experiences that go beyond conventional sightseeing.

One of YGG’s key strengths is its multilingual team and its ability to provide flexible, customized interpretation support tailored to the specific schedules and destinations requested by tourists. Made up of college students fluent in various languages including English, Chinese, Japanese, and Spanish, the group has recently received increasing numbers of requests from around the world—not only from neighboring countries like Japan and Singapore but also from European nations such as Germany and Italy.

YGG's interpretation services cover iconic cultural landmarks in Seoul, such as Gyeongbokgung Palace, Changdeokgung Palace, and Bukchon Hanok Village, as well as trending hotspots like Hongdae, Insadong, and Seongsu-dong. A key feature of the program is that it is driven entirely by the genuine volunteer spirit of university students, making the service completely free of charge.

In particular, YGG welcomes group bookings in addition to solo backpackers and families. This includes school field trips, corporate training groups, and institutional visits from overseas. Customized interpretation services are also available for large groups based on their size and specific needs, receiving highly positive responses from international organizational representatives.

Maximilan Bongers (21), a German tourist who experienced YGG’s guide service, shared, “I learned about this service through a recommendation from a friend who used it last year, and I hope more people find out about it and use it. It was one of the best experiences of my trip. Thanks to the student guide, I was able to truly experience the charm of Seoul without worrying about language barriers.”

Kwon Hyun-ho (24, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies), a YGG member who participated in the program, said, “Even after our interpretation and guiding activities ended, we have remained in close contact through social media almost every day, maintaining a strong global network. It was a truly meaningful experience to serve as a citizen ambassador and share Korean culture with people around the world.” He added, “To continue serving as a bridge for cultural exchange, I want to further improve my ability to understand both Korean and global cultures and explain them fluently.”

Kwon also shared, “The program gave me the opportunity to discover new aspects of Korea that I hadn't fully appreciated before.” Expressing his aspirations, he said, “Building on this experience, I hope to help further improve interpretation and guiding activities. Looking ahead, I also hope to create and promote Korean cultural content and organize cultural events for audiences around the world.”

Meanwhile, applications for YGG’s free interpretation service can be submitted at any time through the ‘Seoul Guide Application’ bulletin board on the official website of Hi Seoul Youth Hostel. Activity updates, participant reviews, and related information can also be found on the group's official Instagram account (@ygg_hiseoulyouthhostel).

◇ Application & Inquiry Information

· How to Apply: Visit the Hi Seoul Youth Hostel website → Go to [Bulletin Board] → Click [Seoul Guide Application] → Click “Apply for Youth Goodwill Guide.”
· Instagram: @ygg_hiseoulyouthhostel
· Department in Charge: Hi Seoul Youth Hostel Planning & Business Team (+82-2-2677-1817)