South Korea industry ministry opens AI video contest on regional growth plan
In short
South Korea's Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy is running an AI video contest tied to its “5극3특” growth-engine plan, Yonhap reported on 5 October. Entrants pick one of seven regions and make a 30-second to 2-minute AI video, with submissions open from 6 October to 13 November. Three works will be awarded in each region — 21 in total — with 2 million won in Onnuri gift certificates for the top prize and results due on 30 November.
Why it matters
The contest is an official attempt to link AI video production to the ministry's regional growth-engine agenda, with awards spread across all seven designated regions. Because entry is open to residents and judged on creativity and AI use, its immediate effect is promotional rather than industrial; the documents do not say how the winning videos will be used afterwards.
Key facts
- The Ministry of Trade, Industry and Energy announced an AI video contest under the theme “5극3특 성장엔진 미래지도”, Yonhap reported. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Entries run from 6 October to 13 November. [ 2 ]
- Contestants choose one of seven regions — central, southwestern, Daegyeong, southeastern, North Jeolla, Gangwon and Jeju — and express future industrial sites and residents' lives in a 30-second to 2-minute AI video. [ 2 ]
- Formats can include vlogs, time-slip films, web dramas and mockumentaries, and works that bring out a region's distinctive traits score higher. [ 2 ]
- Any resident of South Korea can enter alone or in a team of up to four through a page linked from the Korea Institute for Advancement of Technology (KIAT) website notice and poster. [ 2 ]
- The ministry will award three works in each of the seven regions, 21 in total, judging topical fit, creativity and use of AI. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The top prize is 2 million won in Onnuri gift certificates, and results will be announced on 30 November. [ 2 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- The ministry-linked contest draws the future of the “5극3특” plan through AI video and will award 21 works in total. [ 1 , 2 ]
- Submissions open on 6 October and close on 13 November, according to the ministry's announcement reported by Yonhap. [ 2 ]
- Three works will be awarded in each of seven regions. [ 1 , 2 ]
- The top prize is 2 million won in Onnuri gift certificates. [ 2 ]
- Results will be announced on 30 November. [ 2 ]
Still unclear
- What will happen to the awarded videos after 30 November. The documents describe prizes and the announcement date but say nothing about how the winning works will be used.
- The precise scope of the “5극3특” plan and which areas make up each of the seven regional groupings. Yonhap names the seven groupings but does not define them, and the second document gives no regional detail.
- Whether the contest is a one-off or part of a longer-running programme. Neither document says whether similar contests have been held before.