# Global Korean language and literacy initiatives > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/global-korean-language-and-literacy-initiatives > Updated: 2026-10-10T22:39:21.000Z. Sources: 5. Developments: 2. Efforts to promote Korean language literacy and global communication have expanded through various educational and cultural initiatives. In South Korea, literacy programs for senior citizens have gained recognition, with participants receiving awards at national exhibitions for expressing life stories through poetry. Concurrently, organizations in New York have moved to co-host speech contests for foreigners to support growing interest in the language. Global engagement has further intensified through large-scale international competitions. The 28th World Korean Language Speech Contest drew over 1,000 applicants from 35 countries, while the 30th World Korean Speech Contest, held in Yeoju, focused on themes of “Korean Language Communication and World Peace.” During the latter event, Yeoju was proclaimed an “Honorary City of King Sejong” to encourage global exchange centered on Hangul. ## Timeline ### 2026-10-10: Korean language speech contests held by international participants International Korean language speech contests are being held in Seoul and Yeoju, featuring participants from dozens of countries to promote Hangul and global cultural communication. 3 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/korean-language-speech-contests-held-by-international-participants ### 2026-09-20: Korean language and literacy initiatives gain momentum in Korea and New York Senior citizens in South Korea won national literacy awards for their poetry, while New York's Korean community plans a speech contest for foreigners to promote the Korean language. 2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/korean-language-and-literacy-initiatives-gain-momentum-in-korea-and-new-york --- Cite as: Global Korean language and literacy initiatives. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/global-korean-language-and-literacy-initiatives