The National Geographic Information Institute under the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport will accept entries for the 21st National Children's Map Drawing Contest from Tuesday through Oct. 6.
Now in its 21st year, the contest is the ministry's flagship children's competition. This year's theme — "Map In Everyday Life" — carries over from last year.
Any elementary school student nationwide may enter, regardless of grade level. Entries can be submitted in person at the institute or by mail or courier. The grand prize winner and one outstanding school will receive the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Award; three excellence prizes, six merit prizes and 12 encouragement prizes will be awarded by the institute director; and five special prizes will be presented by the president of the Korean Cartographic Association.
Winning entries will be posted on the institute's website in November and displayed in the central hall of the National Map Museum. The grand prize and excellence prize winners will also have the opportunity to represent South Korea at the 2027 Barbara Petchenik Children's World Map Drawing Competition, organized by the International Cartographic Association.
Kim Won-dae, director of the National Geographic Information Institute, said the contest has given countless children a chance to grow familiar with maps and express their imagination over more than two decades. "We hope children will freely draw the world as they see it on a map and use maps to connect with the wider world," he said.
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