Sri Lanka Branch Hosts Korean Language Speech Contest for Free, Peaceful and Prosperous Unified Korea 

The Sri Lanka Branch (Head Lee Ki-soo) said that it hosted the "Korean Language Speech Contest for Free, Peaceful and Prosperous Unified Korea" on October 26 at the Sri Lanka Foundation Auditorium in Colombo.

The event proceeded in the order of ▲ salute to the national flag and singing of the national anthem ▲ a moment of silence for the fallen heroes and patriots ▲ opening remarks by Branch Head Lee Ki-soo ▲ congratulatory remarks by Ambassador to Sri Lanka Lee Mi-yeon ▲ introduction of the judges ▲ speech contest ▲ taekwondo performance ▲ screening of a video of the August 15 Unification Doctrine and "Free, Peaceful and Prosperous Unified Korea" ▲ judges' comments ▲ presentation of gifts to participants and judges ▲ announcement of results and awards ceremony ▲ commemorative photos ▲ luncheon.

Branch Head Lee Ki-soo said, "I hope that this competition will serve as a catalyst for the spread of the Korean language in Sri Lanka and that it will be a valuable time to help Sri Lankans share the views on Korea, peace, and unification.” “I also hope that all the participants here will become a bridge between Korea and Sri Lanka," Lee said 

<Opening Ceremony of the Korean Speech Contest for a Free, Peaceful, and Prosperous Unified Korea> 

 In her congratulatory remarks, Ambassador Lee Mi-yeon spoke about the threats from North Korea and the situation on the Korean Peninsula. She also said, "Korean was included in the A/L Level Test and the number of students studying Korean in secondary schools and universities is increasing day by day, which confirms Sri Lankans’ passion for the Korean language." "I hope that this event will deepen exchanges between Korea and Sri Lanka," she added. 

The judges of the contest included Byun Sung-cheol, President of the Sri Lanka Korean Association; Kwak Hong-gyu, President of the Korean Business Council in Sri Lanka; Lee Soo-jung, Korean Embassy secretary who takes care of the PUAC affairs; Lee Joo-cheol, Director of the EPS Centre of the Human Resources Development Service of Korea; and Kang Ji-eun, Secretary of the Sri Lanka Branch. Also supporting the event were Sri Lanka Public Security Secretary Ravi Seneviratne; Eom Kyeong-ho, member of the PUAC Development Special Committee, Council members Bae Kyeong-ho, Park young-chul and Jung Yeon-guk. 

The theme of the competition was Peace, Unification and Korea, and the winner of the Grand Prize received the Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Sri Lanka Award plus 200,000 rupees, the runner-up was given the PUAC Sri Lanka Branch Head Award and 100,000 rupees, and the second runner-up prize, which went to two awardees, carried PUAC Sri Lanka Branch Head Award and 50,000 rupees each. Souvenirs were given to all participants. 

The event also featured a taekwondo performance and video screening of President Yoon Suk Yeol's "August 15 Unification Doctrine for Free, Peaceful, and Prosperous Unified Korea." Branch Head Lee said, "Together with our Council members, we will continue to work to promote the international support and spread of the 'August 15 Unification Doctrine' by engaging in public diplomacy activities."