Thirteen Korean-Chinese Bilingual Youth Present Their Dreams at the Fifth Speech Contest

• Sponsored by the Overseas Koreans Agency… Commissioner’s Awards presented to outstanding participants
• 13 young finalists compete by presenting their dreams and ideas in two languages

The 5th Korea-China Bilingual Speech Contest, in which Korean- and Chinese-speaking young people present their dreams and ideas in both languages, was held on July 11 at the Seoul Global Youth Education Center.

The Overseas Koreans Agency, headed by Commissioner Kim Kyung-hyup, sponsored the event. Lee Ki-sung, Director General of the Overseas Koreans Policy Bureau, attended and presented Overseas Koreans Agency Commissioner’s Awards to outstanding participants.

The contest was hosted by the National Federation of Compatriots and jointly organized by the Seoul Foreign Resident Center and the Korea-China Focus Newspaper. A total of 13 elementary and middle/high school students who passed the preliminary round presented their ideas and dreams in Korean and Chinese, competing in language ability and cultural literacy.

At the awards ceremony, Im O, a 4th-grade student at Korea Foreign School, and Lee Hye-eun, a 3rd-grade student at Yeongrim Middle School, received Overseas Koreans Agency Commissioner’s Awards in the elementary and middle/high school divisions, respectively. The judges rated both students highly for their command of Korean and Chinese, presentation skills, and creative content.

Director General Lee Ki-sung said, “The participating students’ Korean and Chinese skills are improving noticeably year after year,” adding, “Bilingual ability is a major competitive advantage in the society of the future and a valuable asset that connects the Republic of Korea with the world.” He continued, “The Overseas Koreans Agency will steadily support the development of next-generation Korean diaspora talent so that young people can fully demonstrate their abilities and grow into global leaders who will shape the future.”

Kim Ho-rim, president of the National Federation of Compatriots, said, “It is especially meaningful that the Overseas Koreans Agency is presenting its Commissioner’s Award for the first time,” adding, “I hope competitions like this will help young people strengthen their bilingual abilities and expand their potential.”

Judging Committee Chair Kim Jeong-ryong said, “This year, every participant’s speaking ability had improved enough for them to present without a script, and many presentations showed a deep awareness of issues involving language and culture, raising the level of the competition further.”

The Overseas Koreans Agency plans to continue a range of education and exchange programs so that Korean diaspora youth at home and abroad can develop their language and cultural capabilities and grow into global talent.

Attachment: 3 event photos from the 5th Korea-China Bilingual Speech Contest. End.