Change the World in Korean: How to Write an NPO Petition!
Hello! Welcome to Maeil Hangeul, the place to be to upgrade your Korean skills!
Have you ever felt so passionate about a cause that you wanted to inspire others to act? Today, we’re going to learn how to do just that by writing a powerful online petition in Korean to support a non-profit organization (NPO).
These days in Korea, online activism is a huge trend, especially among younger generations. From environmental protection to animal rights, people are using online platforms to gather support and make their voices heard. Learning these phrases won’t just improve your Korean; it will empower you to participate in meaningful social conversations. Let’s dive in!
Core Expressions for Your Petition
Here are some essential phrases you’ll need to write a persuasive and formal petition.
1. …에 대한 지지를 호소합니다 (…e daehan jijireul hosohamnida)
- English Meaning: I (We) appeal for support for…
- Detailed Explanation: This is a very formal and strong phrase perfect for the title or opening line of a petition. It clearly states your purpose: to gather public support. ‘지지(jiji)’ means ‘support,’ and ‘호소하다(hosohada)’ means ‘to appeal’ or ‘to plead.’ Use it when you want to sound serious and respectful.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
The final ‘ㅂ’ in ‘합니다’ is not pronounced like a ‘b’. When ‘ㅂ(b)’ comes before ‘ㄴ(n)’, it changes to an ‘ㅁ(m)’ sound. So, instead of ‘hoso-hap-nida,’ it is pronounced as [호소함니다 (hosohamnida)]. This is a common rule called ‘nasalization.’
2. …을/를 개선해야 합니다 (…eul/reul gaeseonhaeya hamnida)
- English Meaning: …needs to be improved / We must improve…
- Detailed Explanation: This expression is used to point out a problem and demand a solution. ‘개선하다(gaeseonhada)’ means ‘to improve,’ and the grammar pattern ‘-해야 하다(-haeya hada)’ means ‘must’ or ‘have to.’ It’s a direct and effective way to state that the current situation is not good enough.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
Notice the word ‘개선해야’. When a syllable ending in a consonant (like ‘선(seon)’) is followed by a syllable starting with a vowel (like ‘해(hae)’), the consonant sound often ‘moves’ to the next syllable. However, in this case, ‘해야(haeya)’ is a grammatical ending. The pronunciation is quite straightforward: [개선해야 (gaeseonhaeya)]. Just make sure to pronounce each syllable clearly.
3. 여러분의 동참이 절실합니다 (Yeoreobunui dongchami jeolsilhamnida)
- English Meaning: Your participation is desperately needed.
- Detailed Explanation: This is a powerful call to action. ‘동참(dongcham)’ means ‘to participate in something together,’ and ‘절실하다(jeolsilhada)’ means ‘to be desperate or urgent.’ This phrase emphasizes that every single person’s support is crucial for success. It adds a sense of urgency and emotional weight to your petition.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
The possessive particle ‘의(ui)’ has a few different pronunciations. When used after a word like in ‘여러분의’, it is often simplified to [에(e)] in conversation. So, you’ll naturally hear it as [여러부네 (yeoreobune)]. Also, remember the nasalization rule from before? The ‘ㅂ’ in ‘절실합니다’ is pronounced as ‘ㅁ’, making it [절실함니다 (jeolsilhamnida)].
4. …에 동의하신다면, 서명해 주십시오 (…e donguihasindamyeon, seomyeonghae jusipsio)
- English Meaning: If you agree with…, please sign.
- Detailed Explanation: This is the final, direct instruction for your readers. ‘동의하다(donguihada)’ means ‘to agree.’ The ‘-(으)신다면’ ending is a very polite and formal way of saying ‘if.’ ‘서명해 주십시오(seomyeonghae jusipsio)’ is the most formal way to say ‘please sign.’ It’s clear, polite, and effective.
- 💡 Pronunciation Tip:
The ending ‘하십시오(sipsio)’ can be tricky. The ‘ㅂ’ sound is pronounced very lightly, almost like a soft ‘p’. Practice saying [주십시오 (jusipsio)] smoothly. It conveys a high level of politeness.
Example Conversation
Let’s see how these phrases might be used in a real conversation.
A: 소희야, 환경보호 NPO에서 시작한 온라인 청원 봤어?
(Sohui, did you see the online petition started by the environmental NPO?)
B: 아니, 무슨 내용인데?
(No, what’s it about?)
A: 플라스틱 사용 규제 강화에 대한 지지를 호소하고 있어. 지금 정책은 개선해야 한대.
(They are appealing for support for stronger regulations on plastic use. They say the current policies must be improved.)
B: 좋은 취지네! 당연히 서명해야지.
(That’s a great cause! Of course, I should sign it.)
A: 응. 청원 마지막에 “여러분의 동참이 절실합니다. 이 의견에 동의하신다면, 서명해 주십시오.” 라고 쓰여있어. 우리도 친구들한테 공유하자!
(Yeah. At the end of the petition, it says, “Your participation is desperately needed. If you agree with this opinion, please sign.” Let’s share it with our friends!)
Culture Tip & Trend Deep Dive
In Korea, online petitions are a serious business! For several years, the official website of the President’s office (the Blue House, or “청와대”) had a public petition board. If a petition gained over 200,000 signatures, the government was required to issue an official response. This system, now continued under the new administration, has made online petitions a powerful tool for civic engagement.
You’ll also see this trend in K-pop culture! When an idol or group supports a social cause, their fans (like ARMY or BLINK) often organize massive online campaigns, including petitions and donation drives for NPOs. They might petition a company to change its environmental policies or raise funds for a charity the idol supports. This shows how collective online action is deeply integrated into modern Korean society, turning passion into real-world impact. Knowing these phrases helps you understand and even participate in these important cultural moments!
Wrap-up & Practice Time!
Today, we learned some powerful Korean phrases to advocate for a cause we believe in.
- …에 대한 지지를 호소합니다. (Appeal for support for…)
- …을/를 개선해야 합니다. (…must be improved.)
- 여러분의 동참이 절실합니다. (Your participation is desperately needed.)
- …에 동의하신다면, 서명해 주십시오. (If you agree, please sign.)
Now it’s your turn to practice!
- Fill in the blank:
동물 권리 보호에 _______________, 서명해 주십시오.
(If you agree with protecting animal rights, please sign.) -
Sentence Building:
How would you formally write, “We must improve the educational system”?
Leave your answers in the comments below! And feel free to share a cause you are passionate about using one of the phrases we learned today. Great job, everyone
