Winners of ESU Korea Public Speaking Competition announced

A contestant delivers his speech during the final round of the 19th English-Speaking Union (ESU) Korea Public Speaking Competition last month at the Korea JoongAng Daily in Jung District, central Seoul. [KOREA JOONGANG DAILY]

The winners of the 19th English-Speaking Union (ESU) Korea Public Speaking Competition were selected Wednesday after a nearly seven-month delay due to the coronavirus pandemic.

The contest, normally held twice a year by the Korea JoongAng Daily in a large auditorium, was originally scheduled for February, but was postponed in order to prevent possible transmission of the virus.

A total of 120 students were narrowed down from some 600 who signed up for the 19th ESU competition, sponsored this year by HSBC Korea and Incheon National University. There were four different categories based on the students’ grade level — elementary lower-level from grades 1 to 3, elementary upper-level from grades 4 to 6 and middle school and high school — with 30 finalists chosen for each.

The finalists were called into the Korea JoongAng Daily’s office in Jung District, central Seoul, over four days last month on staggered schedules, where they gave five-minute English speeches in front of a panel of judges.

All students, judges and staff were strictly required to keep a safe distance from one another and wear a face mask at all times.

The top Grand Prize went to Kwon Yu-na from Hopyeong High School, Kim Paul from K12 International Academy, Jeong Yi-ahn from Pangyo Elementary School and Song Si-u from Cheongju Daeseong Elementary School.

The Gold Prize was awarded to Shin A-rim from Yongin Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies, Kim Min-seong from Daebang Middle School, Park Ju-na from Korea International School and No Gyu-min from Chadwick International.

The winners of the Silver Prize were Jung Khang-in from Asia Pacific International School, Lee An-su from Yongsan International School of Seoul, Shin Yu-na from Jinman Elementary School and Kim Seo-yun from Chulma Elementary School.

The Bronze Prize went to Kim Yu-na from Daewon Foreign Language High School, Blakley Avaharang from Kingdom Royal International School, Ko Joon-young from Seoul Kyongin Elementary School and Kim Chae-ran from Seoul Chondong Elementary School.

Winners of the Participation Prize were Kong Seo-hyun from Daewon Foreign Language High School, Yong Eun-jin from Yongin Hankuk Academy of Foreign Studies, Nam Sung-hyon from Dankook University High School, Han Yoon-hee from North London Collegiate School Jeju, Lee Ji-ho from Branksome Hall Asia, Kim Hye-sung from Chadwick International School, Kim Tae-yeon from Simseok Elementary School, Kim Min-ju from St. Johnsbury Academy Jeju Campus, Lee Tae-gyeong from Sanui Elementary School, Seo Da-yoon from Simseok Elementary School, Lee Ji-yu from Cheongju Daeseong Elementary School, Kim Yu-eun from Halla Elementary School and Kwon Se-ryung from Demonstration Elementary School College of Education Chungang University.

The Creative Prize was awarded to Cho Hye-jun from Myungduk Foreign Language High School, Kim Dong-ha from Christian Sprout Intercultural School, Lee Ji-won from Cheongshim International Academy, Yun Seong-min from Wisdom Global School, Kim Ha-young from Bullo Elementary School, Ryu Geon-hee from Kyonggi Elementary School, Kim Seo-jin from Seoul Sanghyeon Elementary School, Lee Yun-jin from Yurim Elementary School and Park Phillip from Daegu International School.

BY LEE SUNG-EUN [lee.sungeun@joongang.co.kr]