On May 22, the Vilnius King Sejong Institute (KSI) at Mykolas Romeris University (MRU) in collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Lithuania hosted the 2026 Korean Language Speech Contest, bringing together 10 participants united by their interest in the Korean language and culture. The event became an opportunity not only to test language proficiency, but also to share personal stories, experiences, and perspectives through Korean tongue.
The contest was held in two categories – beginner and intermediate/advanced levels. In the beginner category, Aistė Končiūtė received the Excellence Prize, while Gytė Radvilaitė was awarded the Excellence Prize in the intermediate level category. The Grand Prize in the intermediate/advanced category was awarded to Ina Makaveckaitė for her outstanding performance and presentation skills. As the overall winner of the contest, Ina will have the opportunity to visit South Korea through the King Sejong Institute Foundation’s cultural exchange program.
Participants’ performances were evaluated by the respected panel of judges composed of experts in Korean language, education, and cultural exchange: Hyeri Lee, the Third Secretary at the Embassy of the Republic of Korea in Lithuania; Eglė Petrauskaitė, a lecturer at Vytautas Magnus University and a teacher at Kaunas King Sejong Institute; Jevgenja Driuk, a lecturer at Vilnius University; and Daesuk Choi, a former Korean language lecturer at Vilnius University, the author of the book “유럽의 중앙, 리투아니아“, and a certified guide of the Baltic States. Their diverse academic and professional backgrounds brought valuable insights to the evaluation process.
The event was officially opened by H.E. Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Lithuania Joyoung Jeon, who highlighted the deeper significance of language learning as a bridge between cultures and people. In his welcoming speech, the Ambassador noted that language is far more than a means of communication – it allows people to better understand one another and broaden their perspective of the world. Quoting the Korean saying, “You see as much as you know”, he expressed hope that learning Korean would help students discover new opportunities and further strengthen the connection between Korea and Lithuania.
Words of congratulations and encouragement were also delivered by the Director of the Vilnius King Sejong Institute, Assoc. Prof. Dr. Lora Tamošiūnienė, who welcomed the participants and praised their dedication to Korean language studies.
The atmosphere of the evening was further enriched by a special performance from the KSI student dance group “Crosswind”. Through an energetic modern dance inspired by Korean pop culture, the group brought additional excitement to the event and reflected the students’ enthusiasm for Korean language and contemporary culture.
Prior to the Speech Contest, the Korean Writing Contest was also held at Vilnius King Sejong Institute. The event brought together 10 participants who challenged themselves to express their thoughts, experiences, and personal stories through writing in Korean.
The winners of the writing contest were awarded during the Korean Language Speech Contest ceremony. The 1st place prize was awarded to Sejong 2B level student Ieva Mažuolytė for her outstanding work and creativity.
These events once again demonstrated how language can connect people across cultures and create opportunities for meaningful exchange and understanding. In Lithuania, the Korean language is steadily becoming more than simply a subject of interest – it serves as a bridge linking countries, academic communities, and young people through shared curiosity, communication, and cultural dialogue.
For those interested in Korean culture, language, or study opportunities in South Korea, MRU offers a range of relevant study programs. Double degree programs in collaboration with Dongseo University – Game Development and Digital Animation and Digital Media Design – provide a unique chance to study in South Korea, even for students outside the field of philology. Those wishing to deepen their knowledge of Korean language and culture can also choose programs such as English for Specific Purposes and Korean Studies or English for Specific Purposes and Second Foreign Language, with Korean as a language module.
