The winners of the King Sejong Institute Korean Speaking and Writing Contest in October 2024 take a group photo at an invitational training program in Korea. (King Sejong Institute Foundation)

By Margareth Theresia

The King Sejong Institute (KSI) Foundation began hosting from May 15 the preliminaries of this year's KSI Korean Speaking and Writing Contest at 256 branches in 88 countries to mark the birthday of King Sejong the Great, who invented the Korean alphabet Hangeul in 1443.

The competition, which was organized to promote the meaning of the occasion, has the themes "My Favorite Korean Expression" and "KSI and My Dream." Sejong's birthday was designated a national commemorative day for the first time this year.

KSI students as well as any foreign national interested in Korean can participate.

The preliminaries worldwide will end next month, followed by the main rounds in July and August and finals in October.

Winners of the preliminaries at each branch will be invited to the KSI Outstanding Learners' Training Program during Hangeul Week in October to directly experience Korean culture.

KSIs abroad are also holding other events to mark Sejong's birthday. The one in Binh Duong, Vietnam, offers a course on the historical background of Hangeul's creation.

The KSI in Fergana, Uzbekistan, will offer Hansik (traditional cuisine), traditional games and Hanbok (traditional clothes) wearing programs at the event Korean Culture Festival with King Sejong.

Foundation chief Choi Hyun-seung said, "On the occasion of King Sejong's birthday, the foundation will continue to lead the commemoration of Hangeul's creation and global promotion of the Korean language and culture."

margareth@korea.kr