Seongju County Holds Korean Speech Contest for Foreigners and Completion Ceremony

Theme: "My Life in Korea"

On February 22, Seongju County in North Gyeongsang Province held a Korean Speech Contest for Foreigners and a completion ceremony at the small theater of the Seongju Culture and Arts Center, with about 60 foreign residents and their family members participating together.

The Korean language course, which has been offered at the Seongju County Innovation Support Center since July 2025, operated for a total of 30 weeks every Sunday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. It consisted of four classes: a beginner class, an intermediate class, a writing class, and an online TOPIK preparation class. A total of 66 foreign workers participated, and among them, 28 learners who attended more than 70% of the classes received certificates of completion.

Group photo after the Korean language speech contest and completion ceremony for foreigners. Photo provided by Seongju County Office.

In addition, the Korean Speech Contest for Foreigners held together with the completion ceremony served as an opportunity for the beginner and intermediate Korean language classes, which are operated as part of the Chamgreen Social Integration Program, to present the results of their efforts and bring the program to a successful close.

Under the theme "My Life in Korea," 14 foreign participants gave presentations, and a total of six learners received awards in each class, including the Grand Prize, the First Prize, and the Excellence Prize.

Do Ban Mang from Vietnam, who participated in the Korean Speech Contest and won the Grand Prize in the beginner class, said, "Life in another country was unfamiliar and difficult, but through the Chamgreen Social Integration Program, I was able to take Korean language classes and experience various cultural activities, which helped me overcome cultural differences and adapt well to life in Korea. I am very grateful for that."

The Chamgreen Social Integration Program is a project that utilizes the Local Extinction Response Fund, and its contents include level-based Korean language classes for visa acquisition, Korean writing classes, education on Korean laws and regulations, as well as various cultural experience programs.

Seongju County plans to continue supporting the adaptation and settlement of foreign workers in the local community through the Chamgreen Social Integration Program in the future.