Dr. Sunwook Hong is an oceanographer specializing in marine debris research and serves as the president of the nonprofit organization Our Sea of East Asia Network (OSEAN), which focuses on addressing the marine litter problem. With 24 years of experience in marine environmental conservation, he was deeply moved by the heartfelt messages expressed in the children’s artwork. The fact that the children portrayed themselves as guardians of the ocean has become a source of inspiration and hope for marine conservationists worldwide.
Judges’ Review
While reviewing all the children’s artworks, I realized that the ocean in their hearts is much closer to them than it is to adults—it’s an ocean that inspires dreams
Regardless of which of the three themes they chose, many of the works conveyed a heartfelt desire to “protect the ocean and the Earth.” This stood in stark contrast to how adults often focus primarily on the “use” or “benefit” of the ocean. I could sense that in children’s hearts, the ocean has become “something precious that must be protected.”
Ranking among so many excellent artworks was truly a difficult task. I want to congratulate all the participants, and I hope those who didn’t receive awards will remember that they are already “guardians of the ocean” who love and want to protect it.
The simple fact that approximately 3,500 children from 19 countries created drawings on the theme of “My Beloved Ocean” has given tremendous courage and hope to me, my colleagues at OSEAN who have dedicated years to protecting our oceans, and to ocean conservation partners around the world.
”Together, We Can Protect the Ocean!"
A Message to Our Young Artists from Dr. Hong
I studied oceanography at university, and for the past 24 years, I have been working to protect the ocean from marine debris. The moment I saw your drawings, I was reminded once again why I must continue this work.
The images in your drawings of creatures suffering from trash were not mere imagination—they were messages of pain conveyed through your love for the ocean.
In many of the artworks, I felt a strong conviction that “trash should not become part of the ocean.” That sentiment is the true beginning of ocean protection.
Viewing your drawings has inspired me to work even harder to protect the ocean. You have been a great source of strength and comfort to me.
The path to protecting the ocean is never easy, but together with you, I know we can do it.
Let’s protect the ocean together!
Meet Dr. Sunwook Hong
Dr. Sunwook Hong is the representative of OSEAN (Our Sea of East Asia Network), a Non-Profit Organization based in South Korea, and a marine debris researcher. Since beginning marine debris research in 2001, she has focused on this single issue for 24 years. In 2009, she founded OSEAN and has been dedicated to protecting the marine environment from marine debris. Since 2012, she has published 26 papers on marine debris and also serves as editor-in-chief of the biannual publication Marine Litter News (ISSN 2287-8971). Additionally, she has authored books including 우리 바다 이야기 (Our Ocean Story) and 바다로 간 플라스틱 (Plastic Gone to the Sea, co-authored), and translated 플라스틱이 온다(Plastic is Coming), striving to raise awareness among children and the public about the importance of ocean protection.
www.osean.net
sunnyhong@osean.net
