The Sejong Cultural Society is inviting submissions for Sejong Essay Competition 2025. The last date of submission is February 28.
Eligibility/Category
adult (age 19 – 30 years), senior (grade 9th – 12th), and junior (grade 8th and younger)
Topics
Adult division (age 19-30 years)
Topic:”O. Cuniculi“ by Pyun Hye-Yong
Prompts: Along with Han Kang and Jo Kyung-ran, Pyun Hye-young is among a group of new “international” Korean women writers whose work is characterized by its exploration of the darker aspects of contemporary society. Pyun is often compared to Western writers like Kafka and Camus, and to the Japanese writer Haruki Murakami. “O. Cuniculi” is a very representative Pyun story, which can be read on many levels as allegory, psychological realism, social criticism, and even surrealism.
What is it about the story that you find most powerful, and what insight does the story provide into Korean society (or society in general)?
You may draw comparisons with other writers or provide a close reading of the story on its own terms. Be sure to explain the reason for your interpretation or comparison.
Senior division (grade 9th – 12th)
Topic: “Kapitan Ri” by Chon Kwang-yong
Prompts: “Kapitan Ri” is generally seen as a satirical representation of a certain type of opportunistic Korean. The story can also be read as an allegory and a criticism of the Korean nation as a whole that applies even today, but what makes it such an important part of modern Korean literature is that its details are very true to life.
How do you, as a contemporary reader in the U.S, judge Dr. Yi?
How would that compare to how a Korean of the older generation would judge him?
Is there anything about him that is redeeming from either point of view?
Read the story “Kapitan Ri“compare how different readers might regard Dr. Yi, what do you learn about the themes of the story?
Junior essay division (grade 8 and younger)
Korea has a rich tradition of storytelling, and its folktales reflect important aspects of its history and culture. Many of the old historical texts are full of local legends and myths. Folk tales can be entertaining and educational, but they can also strike a deep chord in our personal lives, and many Korean folktales demonstrate the universal tragedies and triumphs of daily life in the family.
Topics: Each topic refers to the list of Korean folktales found on our 2025 folktales index page. Please make sure to select a folktale under the “2025 Essay Competition” list. When writing your essay, please be sure to include specific references to the tale you chose to write about.
- Write an interpretation of a folk tale of your choice. Why do you think it was created? Which character do you relate to best?
- If you could change one of these folk tales, what would you change and why?
Guidelines
Rules:
- Essays must not exceed 1,000 words in length.
- Junior division students should refer to our folktales index when choosing a folktale to write about and select one of the stories listed there. Please choose only one topic and folktale to write about.
- Entries must be submitted through our website.
- One entry per category per contestant is permitted. (Contestants are permitted one essay and one sijo entry.)
- Essay division age limits do not have a lower limit, but the sijo adult division is limited to age 19 and older. If a pre-college student would like to compete in the adult essay division and pre-college sijo division, s/he must create two separate application accounts.
- All entries must be written in English.
- Contestants’ names cannot be written in their entries.
- We reserve the right to use all submitted pieces in future publications of the Sejong Cultural Society with no compensation to the authors.
- We reserve the right to not award any prizes.
- Winners are generally announced by early June. This estimate is subject to change depending on the number of total entries received; a more accurate estimate will be posted on our website soon after the competition deadline.
Statement on the use of AI and plagiarism:
- All essay and sijo submissions must be the participant’s original work. Any use of AI assistance must be disclosed, and excessive reliance on AI may lead to disqualification, as the competition values authentic human creativity. All submissions will be checked for AI use and plagiarism.
Copyright Statement:
- The copyright for the future publication of sijo and essay belongs to their respective authors. However, we kindly request that you acknowledge the Sejong Cultural Society if your work is later published online or in print. The Sejong Cultural Society retains the right to publish any works related to its programs in print, online, or in a future anthology.
How to Submit?
Interested candidates can apply online via this page.
Prizes
- Adult division: First ($1,000), Second ($750), Third ($500)
- Senior division: First ($500), Second ($400), Third ($300)
- Junior division: First ($300), Second ($200), Third ($100)
- Honorable mention (for all divisions listed above): Friends of Pacific Rim Awards ($50 each)
- Winners’ works may be published in the Korea Times Chicago or the Korean Quarterly or Azalea: A Journal of Korean Literature and Culture, published by the Korea Institute at Harvard University.
