Culture ministry launches video contest to share policy success stories

The culture ministry said Thursday it is launching a video contest to collect real-life stories from citizens who have benefited from government support policies.

Running from July 30 to October 4, the "I Inform Everyone's Policy Hope Ladder Video Contest" seeks submissions detailing how specific policies have improved daily life or assisted during difficult times. The ministry defined the "K-Hope Ladder" as a comprehensive collection of livelihood support measures organized by life cycle and living sector, designed to ensure citizens do not miss out on available aid simply because they are unaware of it.

Entries are open to all South Korean nationals, individually or in teams of up to four, and are divided into general and children's categories for those born after January 1, 2014. Participants must create a short video lasting 30 seconds to one minute, or a long video ranging from one to three minutes, and post it publicly on YouTube or Instagram. Submissions require uploading the post URL to the official contest website, which opens at 3 p.m. on July 30, and entries must remain public until the winners are announced.

The ministry will accept works created using generative artificial intelligence, provided entrants submit details about the tools and prompts used. A judging panel will review the entries and announce 37 winners in November, awarding a total of 33 million won. The grand prize winner in the general category will receive the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award and 10 million won.

A special award has been established for works portraying experiences related to the administration's 123 national tasks, honoring one entry with a ministerial award and 5 million won.

"Policies travel further when conveyed through the voices of those who have experienced them directly," a ministry official said. "Narratives passed from neighbors who received help via the Hope Ladder will provide substantial practical benefits to other citizens."