Sungkyunkwan University hosts annual Korean essay contest

Participants of last year's Sungkyun Hangeul Essay Contest pose for a photo while wearing hanbok (traditional Korean dress). [SUNGKYUNKWAN UNIVERSITY]

Sungkyunkwan University hosted the 2023 Sungkyun Hangeul Essay Contest, offering scholarships to international students who win gold, silver and bronze prizes at the competition.

The main contest was held on Tuesday, with 28 international students writing essays in Korean on topics disclosed on the day of the contest.

The 28 students are the gold, silver and bronze prize winners from regional essay competitions held in regions including Southeast Asia, Europe, China and Central Asia in May. A total of 240 students from 20 countries participated.

The 18 students who are in Korea for the contest will stay until Friday to visit various tourist attractions and participate in events to learn more about Korea's history and popular culture.

The remaining 10 will participate in the contest online.

The students who win gold, silver and bronze in the main contest will receive a full scholarship for four semesters if they enroll in Sungkyunkwan University's graduate school.

They have to apply and matriculate to the school within three years of winning to get the scholarship.

Sungkyunkwan University has been hosting the contest annually since 2007.

"The participants demonstrated outstanding writing skills even when given difficult topics such as 'balance' and 'sharing with others' for last year's competition," said Lee Han-jung, vice president of the university's international affairs division.

"We hope to read unique and touching essays this year as well."

BY LEE TAE-HEE [lee.taehee2@joongang.co.kr]