Announcement

The Center for International Affairs at the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS) carries out the 'Understanding Korea Project,' which aims to improve and expand Korea-related content in foreign textbooks. For 2026, we are looking for high-quality teaching and learning materials that can be immediately utilized in classrooms worldwide. We are excited to review your submissions and welcome your ideas. 

1. Contest Theme
“Korea Reaching Classrooms Worldwide: Accurately Understanding, Accurately Teaching”
• Development of Teaching and Learning Materials on Korea-Related Topics
(History, Culture, Society, Economy, etc.)

2. Submission Categories and Requirements

Category	Specific Type		Requirements
Teaching /Learning Materials		Lesson Plan and Worksheet for Understanding Korea	◎ Theme: Any topic related to Korea - Must be a lesson plan (one or more sessions) aligned with the local curriculum of selected educational material’s country - Must include accompanying student worksheet(s) - Must include clear and concrete learning objectives, teaching procedures, and evaluation methods ready for immediate use in classroom ◎ Required Documents: - General: Application Form, Agreement on the Collection and Use of Personal Information - Category-Specific: Lesson plan, worksheet(s)
Educational Content		Visual Educational Content	◎ Theme: Any topic related to Korea - Visual materials (charts, diagrams, and infographic slides (“Card News”, etc.) illustrating Korean history, culture, or statistics - Standalone resources such as textbook illustrations, educational posters, or lesson summaries. - Submissions may be created by using various digital tools (generative AI, etc.) ◎ Required Documents: - General: Application Form, Agreement on the Collection and Use of Personal Information - Category-Specific: Visual material description sheet, final artwork file(s)

※ Applicants may submit entries in both the “Lesson Plan and Worksheet” and “Visual Educational Content” categories 
※ Digital Tool Policy: Generative AI and other digital tools may be used, but their use and scope must be explicitly disclosed in the application form

3. Eligibility: Open to Foreign Nationals and Overseas Koreans 
(university-level and above, general public welcome) 

4. Prizes

Rank	No. of Winners	Award Title	Cash Prize
Grand Prize	2	Minister of Education Award Minister of Foreign Affairs Award	KRW 800,000 each
Excellence Prize	4	President of the Academy of Korean Studies Award	KRW 500,000 each
Participation Prize	6	Director of                              the Center for International Affairs Award	KRW 250,000 each

※ Prizes may not be awarded if submissions do not meet the evaluation criteria
※ Cash prizes are subject to local tax deductions in accordance with relevant laws

5. Timeline and Submission Guidelines
• Submission Period: June 1 (Mon) – July 31 (Fri), 2026, by 18:00 (KST)
   o Submissions must arrive by deadline based on Korea Standard Time (KST).       Late entries will not be accepted.
• Submission Languages: Korean or English
• Submission Method: Email to highspirit@aks.ac.kr
   o File Naming Format: Category_Country(Name)_Title of Work
Example: Lessonplan-Worksheet_USA(JohnSmith)_UnderstandingKorea.doc
        Visual-Educational Content_Vietnam(HuongNguyen)_HistoryofKorea.pdf

6. Announcement of Results
• Date: September 30, 2026 (Wed) Tentative
• Results will be posted on the Academy of Korean Studies website, and winners will be notified individually via email

7. Contact 
• Organizer: Center for International Affairs, Academy of Korean Studies
• E-mail: highspirit@aks.ac.kr  
※ Please direct all inquiries to the email address above