Yangpyeong County student wins national literacy award

A 92-year-old student from Yangpyeong County has won an excellence award at the 2026 National Adult Literacy Education Poetry Exhibition. The student, who joined the Pureun Gureum Classroom only six months ago, received the award for the poem titled ‘Kkokkodaek Sinnanda’.

In total, five learners from Yangpyeong County were recognized in the national competition, which commemorates UNESCO’s International Literacy Day. The event saw participation from over 20,000 individuals across poetry and postcard categories. Other winners from the region included recipients in the poetry category for works such as ‘Learning and Meeting’ and ‘Knowledge is Power’, as well as one award in the postcard category.

Yangpyeong County operates ten literacy classrooms to support adults struggling with basic reading and writing skills. Some programs, such as the Maeryeok Campus Neulbaeum Classroom, allow students to receive official elementary school academic recognition upon completion. Local officials stated that the county will continue to expand lifelong learning opportunities to ensure all residents can pursue education regardless of age or environment.