Two KSI Learners Win Awards at
The Korea Times’ 2025 Korean Language
Speaking Contest

> 1,780 foreign nationals and overseas Koreans from 105 countries participated

> Two KSI learners received the Excellence Award and Creative Award, respectively

On May 29, the awards ceremony for the 2025 Korean Language Speaking Contest was held at Inchon Hall of The Cyber University of Korea. Now in its second year, the contest was organized by the English-language daily The Korea Times with the goal of promoting the globalization of the Korean language. The event was co-sponsored by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ministry of Education, with support from KSIF, The Cyber University of Korea, and Kangwon Land.
 
 

Oh Young-jin, CEO of The Korea Times, delivers a congratulatory speech at the 2025 Korean Language Speaking Contest awards ceremony A group photo of the 14 award recipients at the 2025 Korean Language Speaking Contest awards ceremony

This year’s contest brought together foreign nationals and overseas Koreans from around the world who do not speak Korean as their native language to compete in a demonstration of their Korean language skills. Participants created videos of themselves speaking in Korean—either long-form (2 to 3 minutes) or short-form (under 1 minute)—uploaded them to YouTube, and submitted an online application form.

Participants showcased fluent Korean skills while sharing personal experiences of learning the language, favorite Korean content, and cultural comparisons between Korea and their home countries. Their submissions reflected a deep emotional connection to the Korean language and culture.
 
 

In this year’s contest, 14 winners were selected from among 1,780 participants from 105 countries to receive awards including the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award, the President of The Cyber University of Korea Award, Grand Prize, Excellence Award, SNS Special Award, and Creative Award. Notably, two KSI learners—Srija Paul and Fatemeh Mohammadzadeh Ramchahi—achieved meaningful success by winning the Excellence Award and the Creative Award, respectively. Director-General Jeong Jong-gwon of the KSIF Management and Planning Division attended the ceremony to present the awards. The two KSI learners participated virtually, as they currently reside abroad.
 
 

Aybuke Cihan, recipient of the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award, and Lee Jeong-woo, Director-General for Culture and Arts Policy at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism Antonia Maria Prussak, recipient of the Excellence Award, and Jeong Jong-gwon, Director-General of the KSIF Management and Planning Division Award recipients participating in the ceremony online

Srija Paul, recipient of the Excellence Award, is originally from India and studied Korean continuously at the KSI Korean Cultural Center, India, from January 2023 to April 2025. She previously won the Grand Prize at the 2023 Korean Language Speaking Contest hosted by KSI. Fatemeh Mohammadzadeh Ramchahi, who received the Creative Award, studied Korean at KSI Tehran, Iran, from April 2022 to December 2023.
 
 

Srija Paul shared, “This award means more to me than just a prize—it feels like a recognition of all the effort and passion I’ve put in so far, which makes it even more special. I’ll continue to study Korean and keep growing.”
 
 

In July 2024, KSIF signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with The Korea Times and
has been steadily working together to promote the Korean language and culture abroad.