1. The final round of the Second "Quiz on Korea" for 30 contestants from 30 countries took place at a Korea Broadcasting System (KBS) Hall, Seoul, on August 31 in the presence of some 1,000 people, including Ambassadors to the Republic of Korea, supporters and students in the ROK from countries of finalists. In the competition, Michael Smith from New Zealand won the grand prize.
° The event was co-hosted by the Foreign Ministry and KBS with the support of Gyeongsangbuk-do (North Gyeongsang Province), Gyeongju City and Hyundai Motor Company.
° The 30 contestants, who had advanced to the final round after intense preliminaries held at the ROK's diplomatic missions and participated by some 5,000 people from across the world, visited the ROK from August 24 through September 1 for their final competition. During their visit, they went sightseeing in Seoul, visited Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongju, and made a tour of Pohang Iron and Steel Company (Posco) and a Kia Motors plant. They competed in the final round of “Quiz on Korea” on August 31.
2. At the show, Ambassador for Public Diplomacy Ma Young-sam commented that the increasing number of foreigners who have affection for the ROK, speak Korean and have broad knowledge on the ROK is invaluable asset for the ROK which seeks to boost public diplomacy. He voiced his view that the "Quiz on Korea" event serves as a good opportunity for people from across the world to communicate and enjoy themselves through the medium of “Korea”, while enhancing their understanding on traditional Korean culture in the era of globalization.
3. The Foreign Ministry will further expand the scale of "Quiz on Korea," an event held in cooperation between the private and public sectors and between the central and local governments, and boost public diplomacy by having event participants from across the world play a role in promoting Hallyu (Korean Wave) and other aspects of Korean culture.
4. The final round of “Quiz on Korea” will be broadcast on KBS 1TV on September 19 as a special program for the Chuseok (Korean Thanksgiving) holidays. It will also be aired by KBS World for some 230 million people in 88 countries around the world to watch.
Spokesperson and Deputy Minister for Public Relations of MOFA
* unofficial translation