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 & Edric Kim
- Certificate of Special Congressional Recognition, presented by a Member of the U.S. House of Representatives
- President's Award — Overseas Korean News
Excellence Award — Olivia Suh & Lana Smallwood
- Mayor's Commendation — Office of the Mayor of Los Angeles
- Chairperson's Award — National Movement for Restoring Korean Identity
3rd Place — Hwarang International President's Excellence Award
- Soohyeong Kim & Nathan Lee
4th Place — Hwarang International President's Excellence Award
- Ahin Yi & Estelle Eunseo Cho
Senior Division — Best Speaker Awards
- 1st Place — Lana Smallwood
- 2nd Place (Tied) — Edric Kim, Ethan Um, Samuel Kim
- 3rd Place (Tied) — Olivia Suh, Janis Kim, Estelle Eunseo Cho
- 4th Place (Tied) — Kevin Lee, Peter Koo
- 5th Place (Tied) — Felicity Tran, Jason Kim, Gina You, Ahin Yi
Junior Division — Team Awards
Champion — Faith Raelle Bae & Kate Kim
- President's Award — Overseas Korean News
Excellence Award — Vincent Lee & Ethan Chock
- Chairperson's Award — National Movement for Restoring Korean Identity
Junior Division — Best Speaker Awards
- 1st Place — Ethan Chock
- 2nd Place — Kate Kim
- 3rd Place — Emilia Wright
- 4th Place (Tied) — Faith Raelle Bae, Joshua Kim
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.