KIOST Successfully Concludes This Year’s "Youth Marine Olympiad"

Park Junbeom from Pungcheon Middle School Wins Top Honor at the 2025 Youth Marine Olympiad
Awarded the "Pacific Award" (Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Award) for Outstanding Achievement

The Korea Institute of Ocean Science and Technology (President Lee Heeseung, KIOST) announced that the "2025 Youth Marine Olympiad," co-hosted with the Korea Maritime Foundation (Chairman Moon Haenam), Badaeui Poom (Chairman Jung Taesoon), the Ministry of Oceans and Fisheries, and 15 other organizations specializing in marine research and education, has concluded successfully.

2025 Youth Marine Olympiad Completion Ceremony and Awards Ceremony Held. Photo by KIOST

Now in its second year, this competition was organized to raise awareness among youth about the value and importance of the ocean, and to discover and nurture future talent in the marine sector.

A preliminary proposal contest was held for middle school students nationwide to select finalists, and the main camp, which brought together 56 students, took place from August 7 to 10 at KIOST and the Korea Maritime and Ocean University (located in Yeongdo-gu, Busan).

During the main camp, participants wrote research reports on the theme of "the one resource obtained through marine exploration that is considered most important for the future of humanity." They shared their knowledge and ideas about the coexistence of humanity and the ocean. At the awards ceremony held on August 10, outstanding participants who demonstrated creative thinking and problem-solving skills in the marine field were recognized with awards.

The top honor, the "Pacific Award" (Minister of Oceans and Fisheries Award), was presented to Park Junbeom from Pungcheon Middle School. The "Atlantic Award" (Excellence Award) went to Jung Jaewon from Bunpo Middle School and Hwang Seoyoung from Next Challenge School. The "Indian Ocean Award" (KIOST President's Award), which is an encouragement award, was given to Ok Hyejun from Jongchon Middle School and two other students. In total, 26 students, one teacher, and one school received awards.

Student Ok Hyejun, who won the Indian Ocean Award, and Kang Dongjin, Vice President of KIOST.

Among them, seven major award recipients and one outstanding teacher will be given the opportunity to participate in a five-day overseas training program during the upcoming winter break.

Lee Heeseung, President of KIOST, stated, "I hope this competition will help young people broaden their understanding of marine science and grow into talented individuals who will lead the future of the ocean. I sincerely congratulate all the students who received awards."