An open competition to improve international understanding of Korea is underway. The 2014 Understanding Korea Essay & UCC Contest is being organized by the Center for International Affairs (CEFIA) at the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS) and will be held throughout August and September this year.

In the essay category, participants will need to present their thoughts on the image of Korea in a foreign textbook or in any material made by and for non-Koreans. They will have to suggest ways to improve the image portrayed therein. In the second part of the essay category, competitors need to review the use of Korea-related material and present an original ideas on how to improve or develop these materials. The length should be around three pages.

In the user-generated or user-created content (UCC) category, participants need to produce a video that can properly teach Korean history and show aspects of its culture. There is no limit on length.

Any person or group who is interested in better-understanding Korea can participate. Application forms can be downloaded from the CEFIA homepage (www.ikorea.ac.kr) and essays or videos can be submitted via e-mail to highspirit@aks.ac.kr. Submitted material will not be returned and the CEFIA will obtain the copyright. Participants can apply for both the essay and UCC categories, or submit multiple works on different subthemes. Languages to be used are Korean or English.

Competition results will be posted on the CEFIA homepage. Grand prizes will be awarded to two participants, excellence prizes will be awarded to four people or teams and participation prizes will be awarded to six participants.

For more information, please visit the CEFIA homepage (www.ikorea.ac.kr), send an e-mail to highspirit@aks.ac.kr or call +82-31-709-6571, 6569.


By Limb Jae-un
Korea.net Staff Writer
jun2@korea.kr