Pune: The King Sejong Institute Pune, in collaboration with the Indo-Korean Center, successfully hosted the 2025 Korean Speaking Contest, reinforcing growing cultural diplomacy between India and South Korea.
Organized under the aegis of the King Sejong Institute Foundation (KSIF) – a global initiative backed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism, Republic of Korea – the event showcased the growing interest in Korean language learning among Indian students.
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The event, held at the Balewadi campus, saw participation from over 300 guests and featured powerful messages from Yoo Dongwan, Consul General of the Republic of Korea in Mumbai and Hee Ok, Managing Director of LG Electronics India.
Sponsored by LG Electronics and supported by the Consulate General, the Korean speaking contest highlighted the shared values and mutual respect shaping the future of India-Korea cultural relations.
Korean Speaking Contest Winners
Fifteen finalists demonstrated impressive proficiency in the Korean language, with top honors awarded to Ananya Anand (1st place), Vaishnavi Gaikwad (2nd), and Shreeya Revankar (3rd). Consolation prizes were awarded to Zainab Bi Shaikh and Prachi Bhagat.
The first-place winner of the Korean speaking contest earned an exclusive invitation to Seoul for the global finals, including a fully-sponsored, seven-day cultural immersion program exploring Korean traditions, heritage, and society.
In his keynote, Consul General Yoo Dongwan emphasized the transformative power of language in shaping global citizens. “Learning Korean unlocks opportunities in diplomacy, business, and global leadership. Events like this serve as bridges – connecting cultures, ideas, and people,” he said.
He also announced plans for Korea-India cultural festivals in Mumbai and upcoming collaborations between Bollywood and the Korean film industry.
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Dr Eunjoo Lim, Director of King Sejong Institute Pune, and Sanjib Ghatak, Co-founder of the Indo-Korean Center, welcomed guests and praised the courage of the participants.
A special message from Lee Seok-Won, Director of the Office of International Cooperation at Ajou University, was also shared, encouraging learners to embrace Korean language as a life-changing skill.
Beyond language skills, the event featured Korean-Indian fusion dances, traditional singing, and vivid cultural performances – drawing enthusiastic applause and marking a milestone in strengthening India–Korea people-to-people connections.
