Kookmin University (President Jeong Seung Ryul) invited Jeong Yeon-ju, CEO of the Public Speaking Research Institute, to speak at the 667th Thursday Special Lecture held on the afternoon of Thursday, May 21, in the Academic Conference Hall. As a communication coach, Jeong Yeon-ju has focused on providing speech coaching to high-ranking public officials and corporate executives since 2017. On this day, she delivered a lecture titled “Speaking to Reflect on Myself, Speaking to Connect Us, Speaking to the World,” discussing the essence of communication—understanding oneself and connecting with others—and the importance of public speaking.

Jeong emphasized that “speech is not merely a means of transmission but an important tool for revealing oneself and building relationships with others,” explaining that speaking ability is not an innate talent but a skill cultivated through consistent training. Citing the example of broadcasters who repeatedly train in fundamentals such as vocal projection, breathing, pronunciation, and eye contact, she stated, “First and foremost, the process of reflecting on how one speaks is crucial.” She also emphasized that since public speaking aims to explain and persuade, the accuracy and delivery of the message are key, and introduced persuasive speaking methods using examples of the “STAR framework” utilized by corporations and government agencies.

She then identified “voice and breathing” as the most important elements of speaking. CEO Jeong explained, “Good speech ultimately begins with good breathing,” noting that deep breathing helps stabilize vocal projection and relieve tension. He introduced breathing exercises as a method to reduce presentation anxiety, stating, “Speaking is like a musical performance that uses the entire body.” He also emphasized the importance of accurate pronunciation and nonverbal expressions, adding, “Simply speaking Korean clearly can increase the listener’s focus and trust.” He added, “Speaking well is not simply about speaking fluently, but about effectively conveying the core message to the listener.”

In the latter part of the lecture, the discussion turned to the unique competitive edge humans possess in the age of AI. CEO Jeong explained, “While AI can quickly accumulate information, it cannot completely replace data that has been internalized through direct experience and trial and error,” adding, “Knowing something and actually expressing and executing it are entirely different realms.” He then emphasized the importance of daily speaking exercises—such as listening to the news, reading aloud, and conversing with AI—advising, “Do not outsource your thinking; instead, cultivate the ability to speak and express yourself independently.” At the end of the lecture, he engaged with students through a Q&A session, discussing various topics including how to overcome presentation anxiety, methods for authentic expression, and communication skills in the AI era.

Kookmin University’s Thursday Special Lecture Series—the first and longest-running regular course at a Korean university to feature weekly lectures by external speakers—has hosted approximately 670 speakers from various fields, including politics, society, science, and culture and the arts, over the past 30 years. Notable figures who have taken the podium include former President Roh Moo-hyun, Cardinal Kim Sou-hwan, author Ryu Si-min, film director Park Chan-wook, National Assembly Speaker Chung Sye-kyun, and U.S. Ambassador to South Korea Mark William Lippert.