KOREAN NET

The Overseas Koreans Agency is holding the 27th Overseas Koreans Literature Award for overseas Koreans residing in over 180 countries around the world.

The Overseas Koreans Literature Award, a platform for Korean literary creation by overseas Koreans, has been held annually since 1999 to strengthen the Korean identity of overseas Koreans and to promote mutual understanding between overseas Koreans and citizens in Korea.

We look forward to your interest and active participation in this year’s contest.

□ Eligibility

ㅇ Overseas Koreans who have obtained citizenship or permanent residency in their country of residence, or who have resided there for at least seven years

※ However, youth (ages 7 to under 19) must have obtained citizenship or permanent residency, or have resided abroad for over 5 years

※ Period of residence and age are based on the application deadline and are calculated in full years

□ Contest Categories

□ Awards

ㅇ Thirteen winners will be selected across three categories, with a prize pool of KRW 29.5 million.

ㅇ Award Ceremony and Invitation Program

- Period: During October or November 2025 / 3 days and 2 nights

- Support details: Full coverage of participation expenses including airfare, accommodation, and meals

※ Airfare will be covered for round-trip economy class within the maximum amount set by the Overseas Koreans Agency

※ Specific schedule, location, and airfare cap will be individually notified to awardees later

□ Submission Period and Method

ㅇ Period: June 4 (Wed) – June 30 (Mon), 2025, by 23:59 (Korean Standard Time)

ㅇ Method: Online submission via Korean.net (korean.net)

※ Be sureto download and complete the "Application Form for Submission", and include work information in the file name.

- File name format: Category_Name_Title of Work

- Example: ShortStory_HurGyun_HongGildongJeon

※ Works must be attached in the designated section of the application form. Do not submit them separately.

※ If submitting multiple works, save and attach each work as an individual file to prevent omission.

ㅇ Required Documents: Only winners will be asked to submit supporting documents verifying overseas Korean status and period of entry/exit later.

□ Preliminary Briefing Session

ㅇ Date & Time: June 13, 2025 (Friday), 10:00–11:00 (Korea Standard Time)

ㅇ Platform: Overseas Koreans Agency YouTube Channel (youtube.com/@OKAKOREA)

ㅇ Contents: Introduction to the contest / Guide to the application process / Conversation with last year’s winners / Q&A session

□ Evaluation and Announcement

ㅇ Evaluation Period: July–August 2025

ㅇ Evaluation Process: (1st) Document Screening → (2nd) Preliminary Review → (3rd) Final Review

※ A panel of experts in relevant fields will be formed to evaluate each category

※ Plagiarism checks and public verification will be conducted

ㅇ Announcement of Winners: September 2025 / Posted on the websites of the Overseas Koreans Agency (oka.go.kr), Korean.net (korean.net), and Sotong24 (sotong.go.kr)

□ Important Notes

1. Anyone may apply regardless of professional experience, and multiple submissions in more than one category are allowed.

ㅇ However, past Grand Prize winners of the 「Overseas Koreans Literature Award」 may not apply in the same category.

ㅇ Winners must submit documents proving their eligibility within the deadline after the announcement (deadline will be notified individually).

ㅇ If a participant is found to be ineligible, fails to submit proof documents within the given time, or provides false information in the application or documents, the award may be revoked.

2. Only unpublished original works written in Korean are eligible for submission.

ㅇ According to Article 9-5 and Article 11 of the 「Regulations on the Operation of Contests by Administrative Agencies,」 if misconduct is discovered, the award may be cancelled, and the certificate and prize money may be reclaimed.

ㅇ Any work falling under these categories will be excluded from evaluation and may have its award revoked even after the announcement. All legal responsibility lies with the applicant.

3. The Overseas Koreans Agency will dispose of all non-winning entries and application forms within six months from the date of the announcement of the contest results. Applicants who are not selected may request the disposal of their submitted manuscripts and application forms.

□ Copyright Information

ㅇ The copyright (including economic rights and moral rights) of the works submitted to the contest belongs to the applicant, and in principle, remains with the winner even after the award.

ㅇ The Overseas Koreans Agency may use the winning works indefinitely for non-profit and public purposes, and may reproduce, distribute, display, and publicly transmit (including digital transmission) the works non-exclusively.

- Winning works may be used in print and electronic publications (non-commercial), content distribution, archival services, official publications, website postings by the Overseas Koreans Agency, and other promotional or project-related activities, both online and offline.

- The Overseas Koreans Agency may create and distribute derivative works based on a separate agreement with the author.ㅇ By submitting a work, the applicant is deemed to have granted permission for the use of their work (if selected) according to the usage methods and conditions stated in the contest guidelines. The usage fee for the economic rights of the winning work is considered to be included in the prize money.

ㅇ If the Overseas Koreans Agency intends to use the winning work beyond the scope outlined in the contest guidelines, a separate agreement will be made with the author.

ㅇ Applicants may file an objection through the responsible department if any issues regarding copyright arise.

ㅇ In the event of future disputes regarding copyright of the submitted works, mediation can be sought from the Korea Copyright Commission, and both parties shall cooperate in good faith for resolution.

ㅇ Applicants must ensure that their submission does not infringe upon the copyrights, portrait rights, or any other rights of third parties, while the Overseas Koreans Agency shall exercise due care to prevent unauthorized disclosure.

ㅇ The Overseas Koreans Agency respects the moral rights of the winners. In principle, the author's name will be displayed, and the content, format, and title of the winning work will be preserved as submitted.

□ Inquiries

ㅇ Overseas Koreans Literature Award Secretariat

- Email: overseaskla2025@gmail.com

- Phone: +82-10-4302-1810

- KakaoTalk Channel: 제27회 재외동포 문학상

- Official Page: https://m.site.naver.com/1ISkG

- Official QR Code:

ㅇ For System / Website-related Inquiries

- Email: pms01@okocc.or.kr

- Phone: +82-2-3415-0144

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