Kim Ki-hoon from Gokseong, First Korean to Win the Aria Category at BBC Cardiff Singer of the World Competition

Active as a Public Relations Ambassador for Gokseong-gun, Showing Special Affection for Hometown

[Asia Economy Honam Reporting Headquarters, Reporter Heo Seon-sik] Gokseong-gun, Jeollanam-do announced on the 21st that baritone Kim Ki-hoon, a native of Gokseong, achieved a great feat by winning first place in the aria category at the Cardiff Competition in the UK on the 19th (local time).

The Cardiff Competition is a world-renowned vocal competition held every two years by the UK's public broadcaster BBC. This year marks its 20th edition, a dream stage for vocalists worldwide, and this is the first time a Korean has won in the aria category.

He won second place at the 2019 Tchaikovsky International Competition, and by securing the championship at this competition, he has further spread the name "Kim Ki-hoon" globally and solidified his position as a representative vocalist of Korea.

Meanwhile, baritone Kim Ki-hoon began studying vocal music late, starting in his senior year of high school, and through relentless effort, he has risen to his current position, serving as a great role model for youth in the Gokseong area.

In February, he was appointed as an ambassador for Gokseong-gun, and he moved the residents of Gokseong by performing at the inaugural concert of the Gokseong-gun Youth Orchestra, collaborating with local youth, showing his special affection for his hometown and juniors.

Governor Yoo Geun-gi said, "All the residents of our county wholeheartedly congratulate baritone Kim Ki-hoon, who is from our county, on his victory at the world-class competition and send him a big round of applause. He is the pride and a great star of our Gokseong-gun. We hope that this award will be an opportunity for him to shine even more widely as a unique presence on the world vocal stage."