[Digital Today reporter Jin-ho Lee] Korea Post’s Postal Human Resources Development Institute announced on Wednesday the winners of the 2026 Korea Letter-Writing Contest.

This year’s contest ran from May to June under the theme, "A letter that supports your new beginning." About 11,600 handwritten letters were submitted nationwide, up more than 30 percent from last year.

The institute selected a total of 80 winners across seven categories after preliminary and final judging. Category grand prizes went to student Yi-hyeon Kim (김이현) for lower elementary, student Song-yoon Kim (김송윤) for upper elementary, student Ju-a Hong (홍주아) for middle school youth, student Ji-won Yoo (유지원) for high school youth, Kyung-jin Lee (이경진) in the general category and teacher Hyeong-tae Kim (김형태) for outstanding guidance teacher.

The group category grand prize went to Gwangmyeong High School. The grand prize winners and the group will receive the Minister of Science and ICT Award.

Yi-hyeon Kim wrote a letter supporting her mother’s new beginning after she got back on her feet for the family’s future. Song-yoon Kim expressed in a letter feelings of worry and pride for an older brother going through a difficult situation.

Ju-a Hong compared her father, who was injured while working for the family, to a ship’s captain and wished for his healthy return. Ji-won Yoo delivered a message urging everyone facing a new beginning to listen to their own voice and support themselves even in hardship.

General category grand prize winner Kyung-jin Lee wrote about her experience of undergoing cancer treatment and the empathy she has felt as a nurse caring for cancer patients.

The awards ceremony will be held on July 29 at the Igansumun Exhibition Hall at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul. The winning works will also be displayed at the venue. A full list of winners and the winning entries can be found on the 2026 Korea Letter-Writing Contest website.