Outstanding Learners
From KSIs Around the World Gather
in One Place to Showcase Korean
Speaking and Writing Skills

> Grand prizes in the speaking and writing contests awarded to learners from KSI Patna, India, and KSI Bien Hoa, Vietnam

> Over 200 outstanding KSI learners invited to Korea for cultural experiences, including a program highlighting K-pop Demon Hunters

The King Sejong Institute Foundation (Acting President and Secretary General Choi Hyun-seung, hereafter referred to as KSIF), in cooperation with the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister Chae Hwi-young), held the 2025 KSI Korean Speaking and Writing Contests on October 15 at the Convention Center of Seoul National University’s Siheung Campus. A total of 22 finalists—10 for speaking and 12 for writing—were selected through preliminary rounds held at KSIs around the world since May, overcoming 173:1 odds to reach the final stage. The speaking contest centered on the theme “Korean Culture and People as Seen through the Korean Language,” while the writing contest invited participants to express their personal growth and experiences under the theme “My Path, My Dream as Seen through Korean.”

The grand prize in the speaking category went to Kasturi Pande from KSI Patna, India, and in the writing category to Duong Huynh Bao Tran from KSI Bien Hoa, Vietnam. In particular, Kasturi Pande from KSI Patna captivated the judges with her clear pronunciation and expressive delivery in her presentation titled “The Dream I Was Looking at Calls Out to Me.” Upon receiving the award, she said, “I was drawn to the beautiful sound of the Korean language, which I happened to hear by chance, and that led me to study at the KSI. I hope to continue learning Korean in depth and become an interpreter who connects people through language.”
 
 

A total of 15 learners received awards in the grand, excellence, and merit categories, and they will be given the opportunity to participate in a language training program at a university in Korea in 2026 with scholarship support from KB Kookmin Card and Hancom. The program will be conducted in partnership with 12 universities: Korea University, Dankook University, Duksung Women’s University, Dongguk University, Dongseo University, Busan University of Foreign Studies, Sogang University, Seoul National University, Sungkyunkwan University, Sejong University, Soongsil University, and Ewha Womans University.

In addition, more than 200 outstanding KSI learners, including the contest finalists, took part in the 2025 KSI Outstanding Learners Invitation Program held from October 14 to 20. Now in its 16th year, the program offered participants the opportunity to experience the essence of Korean culture, which has gained worldwide attention through works such as KPop Demon Hunters. Activities included visits to the National Museum of Korea and the National Museum of World Writing, traditional hanbok experiences and a tour of Gyeongbokgung Palace, a Han River cruise, a Korean traditional orchestra performance, and hands-on cultural programs such as taekwondo, traditional knot-making, and samulnori (Korean percussion).

KSIF Secretary General Choi Hyun-seung stated, “I was deeply moved to see KSI learners from around the world learning the cultural spirit that imbues the Korean language and expressing their dreams and thoughts sincerely with outstanding Korean proficiency. The KSIF will continue to actively support more KSI learners in nurturing their dreams and growing through the Korean language.”
 
 

❬List of Winners – 2025 KSI Korean Speaking Contest❭
 

 
❬List of Winners – 2025 KSI Korean Writing Contest❭