SEOUL — Students from Iran and Vietnam have captured the grand prizes in the speaking and writing categories, respectively, at the "2026 King Sejong Institute Korean Speech and Writing Contest," which brought together learners from 75 countries around the world.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) and the King Sejong Institute Foundation announced on October 8 that Marjan Hakki (Speaking Category, Tehran, Iran) and Nguyen Bao Chau (Writing Category, Ho Chi Minh City 6, Vietnam) won the grand prizes at the competition finals held on October 7 at the Purmir Hotel in Hwaseong, Gyeonggi Province.

This year's competition saw fierce competition, with 3,715 participants applying from 178 King Sejong Institutes across 75 countries. Ultimately, 20 top-performing learners were selected to showcase their skills under the theme, "Korea in My Heart."

Hakki earned high praise for delicately illustrating how a stranger came to feel the warmth of Korean hospitality and embrace Korea as a home of the heart. Having stepped foot on Korean soil after overcoming four setbacks, she shared her thoughts, saying, "It is deeply meaningful to win the grand prize on this stage of my dreams."

Chau, the winner of the writing category, received high marks for expressing how the Korean language goes beyond knowledge in books to become a language of communication that connects people to people.

A total of 20 participants earned honors in this year's competition, including the two grand prize winners, two runners-up (excellence awards), 10 merit awards, and six encouragement awards. The grand prize winners were awarded the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award.

Meanwhile, some 360 outstanding learners, including the finalists, are currently visiting South Korea for an invitation-based training program to mark the 100th anniversary of the establishment of Hangul Day.

Eight of the speaking category finalists attended the Hangul Day eve event held at Gwanghwamun Square in Seoul to share their thoughts and experiences in Korean. On Hangul Day itself, October 9, they will dress in traditional hanbok and tour Gyeongbokgung Palace, sponsored by KB Financial Group.

Jeon Woo-yong, chairman of the King Sejong Institute Foundation, stated, "Today, with learners from all over the world gathered in one place, is the future dreamed of by those who proclaimed the new name 'Hangul' 100 years ago. I hope the participants will serve as strong bridges connecting their respective countries with Korea."

In addition to the contest and invitation training, the foundation is hosting various global cultural events to commemorate the 100th anniversary of Hangul Day.

A "100-Person Hangul Day Relay" support campaign featuring 100 figures from various walks of life—including poet Na Tae-joo, actor Yu Jun-sang, history lecturer Choi Tae-sung, and chef Lee Yeon-bok—is being sequentially released through the foundation's official YouTube channel.

Global King Sejong Institutes are also holding commemorative activities, such as reading a "Global Declaration" containing the hopes of learners and instructors.

On October 9, EBS 1TV will broadcast a two-part special documentary titled "Hangul, Letters of 100 Years," shedding light on the history of protecting Hangul during the Japanese colonial period and the journey of the Korean language expanding into the world.

Furthermore, educational content on the Korean language and culture created in collaboration with popular K-pop idols, such as the SBS YouTube channel's "A Moment's Notice: Idols Like This in the World," will be rolled out sequentially.

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