The winners of The Korea Times' Korean Language Speaking Contest and award presenters pose during a ceremony at the Inchon Hall of the Cyber University of Korea in central Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
The Korea Times honored winners of its first-ever Korean Language Speaking Contest at a ceremony at the Inchon Hall of the Cyber University of Korea in central Seoul, Wednesday.
The Korea Times, which marks its 74th anniversary this year, hosted the competition to cultivate global interest in the Korean language and play its part in enhancing Korea's global influence.
The contest was sponsored by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Cyber University of Korea. The City of Sejong, the Korean Humanities Research Group and Far East Broadcasting Company Korea also sponsored the event.
Nine winners were chosen from among more than 1,400 applicants from 99 countries around the globe. Among the contestants, the highest number of applicants hailed from Vietnam, followed by Indonesia, Uzbekistan, the United States, India, Russia, Thailand, China, Mongolia, Myanmar and Turkey. The average age of the applicants was 23, showcasing the interest in Korean culture and language among the younger generation.
Tyler Rasch, center, and Nidhi Agrawal, right, the award presenters of The Korea Times' Korean Language Speaking Contest, attend a ceremony at the Inchon Hall of the Cyber University of Korea in central Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Choi Bo-geun, deputy minister for planning and coordination at the culture ministry, expressed gratitude and delight on the global emergence of the Korean language before presenting the awards.
"It is very gratifying and welcoming that over 1,400 people around the world participated in the contest. King Sejong, who created Hangeul, would also be very pleased," Choi said. "The ministry will work to make it easier for more people to learn Korean."
Kim Jin-sung, president of the Cyber University of Korea, also expressed encouragment to all participants.
"I hope that even those who did not receive awards will reflect on the efforts they put into the contest and find their own valuable meaning," the president said.
The Korea Times Content Managing Director Kim Jae-kyoung announced plans to elevate the top award, the King Sejong Award, to the level of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award with more prize money for next year's contest, asking for continued interest in future events.
Other award presenters included American TV personality Tyler Rasch, Indian entrepreneur Nidhi Agrawal of Hangeul Kwaja and Korean Humanities Research Group Director Choi Bong-young. Rasch and Agrawal, known for their Korean letters-shaped snack Hangeul Kwaja, provided the unique treats as gifts for the winners.
"I'm so proud to see that so many people are interested in the Korean language and culture. I hope this opportunity will lead to more people studying Korean," Rasch said after the event.
Camila Díaz from Cuba, left, the winner of the King Sejong Award, poses with Choi Bo-geun of the culture ministry during the award ceremony at the Inchon Hall of the Cyber University of Korea in central Seoul, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
Award winners
The winners, both delighted and nervous, delivered speeches in fluent Korean, showcasing their award-winning mastery of the language. Some winners attended the award ceremony in person, while others who were overseas participated via video.
The King Sejong Award, the Grand Prize of the contest, went to singer-songwriter Camila Díaz from Cuba.
In her acceptance speech, Díaz expressed gratitude for the opportunity and encouraged students who are currently studying or planning to study the Korean language.
"Learning Korean has broadened my world," she said. "I thought I would die from eating spicy food, but now there are even days when I crave it. Although Korea is far from Cuba, I feel that the courage and strength of the Korean people, as well as the affection and resilience of the Korean nation, may also be found in the people of Cuba."
She added, "I want to tell those who have come to love Korean to keep working hard. Your efforts will never betray you."
Overseas winners of The Korea Times' Korean Language Speaking Contest attend the award ceremony via video, Wednesday. Korea Times photo by Choi Won-suk
The Gold Award winners were Munkhbaatar Baigal from Mongolia and Dita Ariyanti from Indonesia, while the Silver Prizes were awarded to Ezike Amoge from Nigeria and Somayyeh Balochi from Iran.
Bronze Awards were given to Mahendra Adytia from Indonesia, Marina Ryabtseva from Russia and Bornachot Owen Nora from France.
Adytia, the sole male winner of the contest, revealed that he traveled all the way from the southwestern port city of Ulsan to receive his award.
"The long journey was worth it. I never imagined I would receive such a meaningful award. I hope there will be more male winners next year. I also want to thank The Korea Times for providing this opportunity," he said.
The Korean Humanities Research Group Award went to Botirova Mohinur Kamoliddinovna from Uzbekistan.