The Korean Cultural Center in Egypt organised the 2021 Korean-language Speech and Writing Competition for students of the King Sejong Institute, on Wednesday, amid tight precautionary measures against the novel coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic.
A total of 17 students participated in the competition, which is being held for the first time as a part of the centre’s plan to restore its normal cultural activities.
The Korean Cultural Center is keen to organise this competition every year, to encourage students of the King Sejong Institute in Egypt. It also aims to enhance their skills in speaking and writing in Korean.
Winners of the competition are set to qualify for a training programme in South Korea, as well as participating in the final competition organised by the King Sejong Institute Foundation in South Korea.
As it is currently difficult to hold competitions or training courses in Korea, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, winners will instead, this year, receive incentive awards.
Oh Sung Ho, Director of the Center, said that thanks to the popularity of K-Pop and Korean drama, the demand for Korean language learning is increasing in Egypt.
A bout 1,300 people applied to take part in the first semester at the King Sejong Institute in Egypt earlier this year.
Oh Sung Ho noted that the Korean Cultural Centre will is looking to expand Korean language courses by increasing the number of students admitted to the Institute. It will continue to look for the most appropriate possible ways to gradually restore its cultural activities in the post-COVID-19 period.
