By Diplomacy Journal Kayla Lee 

 

The 28th World Peace Art Exhibition Awards Ceremony was held at the Korea Gallery in Insa-dong, Seoul on August 6, 2025. About 620 artists from 21 countries participated in the event, submitting approximately 1,200 works.

 

About 800 of these works were exhibited. The ceremony concluded successfully with approximately 200 distinguished guests in attendance.

 

 

Attendees at the ceremony included Nurgali Arystanov, Ambassador of the Embassy of Kazakhstan, Fazliddin Arziev, Minister Counsellor of the Embassy of Uzbekistan, Consul Eugene Redko of the Embassy of Belarus, and Rita Kissi, Chargé d'Affaires a.i. of the Embassy of Ghana, as well as diplomatic representatives from six countries, who expressed their deep appreciation for the role of art in promoting world peace.

 

The awards ceremony, which began with a ribbon-cutting ceremony and concluded with introductions of distinguished guests, remarks from the organizing committee chairman, congratulatory remarks from the steering committee chairman, and comments from the judging panel, was a meaningful occasion reaffirming the message of peace through art.

 

 

At the 28th World Peace Art Competition, artist Gong Jae-wan was selected as the winner of the World Peace Art Grand Prize (National Assembly Speaker's Award), and artist Jeon Byeong-hee was awarded the Grand Prize (Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award). Each received a cash prize of 3 million won and a certificate of award.

 

Artists Shin Hyun-ja, Yoo Hyun-ok, and Jeong Ju-yeon each received the Grand Prize by category (Seoul City Mayor's Award), each receiving 1 million won.

 

 

A total of seven artists received the Best Prize (Yechong President's Award), and approximately 500 artists received awards in their respective categories.

 

In addition, awards were presented in various categories, including the Foreign Ambassadors' Award, the Peace Special Award, the Excellence Award, the Samchae Award, the Ochae Award, the Leadership Award, and the Domestic Institution Award.

 

 

Certificates of promotion to invited and recommended artists were also presented, further honoring the artists' creative endeavors.

 

The exhibition runs until August 12.
A total of 620 artists submitted approximately 1,200 works to this competition. The winning works are currently on display on the second and third floors of the Korea Gallery. The exhibition continues until 11:00 AM on August 12, and admission is free to the public.

 

 

The second-floor displays the artistic works of Grand Prize, Ochae Award, and Leadership Award winners, while the third floor displays works of the Honorable Mention, Special Prize, Excellence Award, and Samchae Award winners, providing an opportunity to appreciate a diverse range of paintings, sculptures, and installations in one place.

 

Chairman Lee Jong-young, “"Art is the language of peace."
At the awards ceremony, Chairman Lee Jong-young of the World Peace Art Exhibition Organizing Committee stated in his opening remarks, "Art is the language of peace."

 

 

"The World Peace Art Exhibition is not simply an art competition. It is a venue for cultural diplomacy, communicating with the world through art and opening the way for reconciliation between North and South Korea and coexistence of humanity. We will continue to lead the way so that art can elevate the dignity of the Republic of Korea and become the seed of world peace."

 

Chairman Kim Yong-mo of the steering committee, also expressed his gratitude, saying, "This competition, embodying the theme of 'A World United through Art, a Future Connected by Peace,' has become a place to sing of peace beyond borders and languages."

 

 

Chairman Lee Chil-yong of the judging committee, said, "This competition featured many works that harmoniously combined creativity, formal beauty, and thematic awareness." He particularly praised the numerous excellent entries in the Samchae and Ochae categories, which blended tradition and modernity.

 

At the conclusion of the awards ceremony, foreign ambassadors to Korea, key guests, invited and recommended artists, and all the artists posed for a commemorative photo, capturing a moment of unity.

 

 

Next up: The 29th, a Greater Wave of Art
The 29th World Peace Art Exhibition will return in 2026 with an even richer program and international exchange. With artists from around the world promising to once again unite through art, the 28th World Peace Art Exhibition concluded its awards ceremony with a beautiful lingering image of peace and art.