KCCI to host preliminary round of ‘Korean Speech Contest 2025’ on May 23

The Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI) will host the preliminary round of the Korean Speech Contest 2025 on May 23. Similar rounds will also take place at King Sejong Institutes (KSI) across the country. Organised by South Korea’s Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the event is part of a global initiative running simultaneously at 256 centres worldwide, reflecting the steady growth of interest in learning Korean.

The contest is open to all Korea language learners in India — including current and former KCCI students as well as independent learners — provided they are foreign nationals with no Korean parentage. Participants will speak on one of two themes: “My favourite Korean expression and the reason for it” or “The most memorable Sejong Institute class.”

The competition will unfold over several months, with the main round scheduled for June and July, and the finals in October in South Korea. Finalists will travel to Korea to take part in a cultural immersion programme. Top performers will be eligible for scholarships to study Korean at some of the country’s leading universities in 2026.

Indian learners have made their mark at this event in recent years. Amandeep Singh Oberoi, a KCCI student, won the global title last year, following in the footsteps of Srija Paul in 2023 and Anubhuti Kakati in 2020.

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Hwang Il Yong, Director of KCCI, said he sees the contest as more than a competition — it’s also a way for students in India to connect more deeply with the language and culture of Korea.

As the Korean wave continues to draw young Indians towards K-dramas, K-pop and language courses, the contest adds to a growing number of platforms for cultural exchange and education.

When: May 23

Where: Korean Cultural Centre India, Lajpat Nagar, New Delhi