Korean Language Contest Held in Beijing, China: "Let's Grow Together"

A Korean language competition was held in Beijing, China, targeting local students studying Korean. The awardees will receive special employment privileges from sponsoring companies.

The Korea-China Economic and Cultural Exchange Center at the University of International Business and Economics in China held the award ceremony for the 2nd Business Korean Language Competition on the 30th at the Korean Cultural Center in Beijing. The Business Korean Language Competition is a linked event that selects outstanding university students majoring in Korean (Chos?n?) in China and provides them with opportunities for employment at Korean companies. It was first established last year. The University of International Business and Economics hosted the event, with sponsorship from the Chinese branches of five companies: POSCO, LG Chem, Shinhan Bank, Hana Bank, and CJ.

At the "2nd Business Korean Language Competition" held on the 30th at the Korean Cultural Center in Beijing, China, award presenters and winners are taking a commemorative photo. (Photo by Kim Hyun-jung)

The first-place winner for each company receives a certificate and a cash prize, along with preferential hiring benefits from the respective company. Second and third place winners receive certificates and cash prizes.

Su Suyang, a third-year student at Shanghai International Studies University who won first place for POSCO, said, "There are not many opportunities for Korean language majors to showcase their skills, so I am grateful for this opportunity, which is like 'rain in a drought.' I hope the competition will nurture talented business Korean speakers and become a grand stage for friendly cultural exchanges between Korea and China."

Meng Qingwei, a third-year student at Central South University of Forestry and Technology who won first place for Hana Bank, shared, "Language is a very good tool to convey culture and emotions. Korean has been an opportunity for me to see a bigger world, confirm my potential, and realize my own value that I had not yet recognized."

Um Kang-il, the head of Shinhan Bank’s Chinese branch who presented the awards, said, "I hope Chinese students who love the Korean language and culture will join Shinhan and share their dreams of growth." Hwang Young-shin, head of LG Chem’s Chinese branch, emphasized, "It has been 30 years since LG Chem came to China, and we will fill another 30 years together with students who are diligently learning Korean here. Let’s make LG Chem great together in China." Song Yong-sam, head of POSCO’s Chinese branch, expressed his belief that "the event will serve as a bridge for cultural and business exchanges between Korea and China."

Han Kang-il, executive director of the Korea-China Economic and Cultural Exchange Center at the University of International Business and Economics, which organized the competition, stated, "I firmly believe this competition will inspire courage and hope among Korean language students and faculty in China. It also signifies discovering new possibilities for private diplomacy between Korea and China as a model of cooperation between universities and companies."