The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) on Aug. 27 announced the 25 winning works of this year's Korea Tourist Souvenir Contest. Clockwise from left are keyboard caps featuring dancheong (traditional decorative coloring), a deluxe gamseonok (persimmon) set, lacquerware design tumblers and the tea package "Tteokcha: Aenggang Scented Tea." (KTO)

By Charles Audouin

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) on Aug. 27 announced the 25 winning works of this year's Korea Tourist Souvenir Contest.

Gamseonok (Persimmon) Original Set, a newly launched specialty from the provinces this year, won the Presidential Award. Combining dried persimmon from Sancheong-gun County, Gyeongsangnam-do Province, and regional specialties, the set was hailed as a top-flight "K-dessert" with both taste and commercial value.

Tteokcha: Aenggang Scented Tea, a high-quality medicinal tea mixed with agricultural ingredients from Namhae, Gyeongsangnam-do, won the Prime Minister's Award. It has been used as a home remedy since the Goryeo Dynasty (918-1392).

The Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award went to a set of a traditional small table and chairs and lacquerware color tumblers. Mechanical keyboard caps with dancheong (traditional decorative coloring) and a moon-jar gift set won the KTO President's Award.

Now: Make with Pear, or Korean-style wine made with the fruit from Naju, Jeollanam-do Province, and a Seoul souvenir tin-case sticker pack won the inaugural Hyundai Department Store Award.

The other winners were a Hanbok (traditional clothing) mugunghwa (Rose of Sharon) magnetic brooch, keychain featuring the Korean Peninsula with its eight traditional provinces and Dokdo Island, and the laver chips Mermaid's Snack.

KTO Executive Vice President Kim Dong-il said, "We will strive to help the award-winning works develop into global K-fan goods through diverse support such as one-on-one expert consulting, private-sector collaboration matching and entry into the distribution industry including Hyundai Department Store."

From Nov. 22-23, the KTO will hold the Korea Tourist Souvenir Exhibition at Dongdaemun Design Plaza in Seoul to display and sell all winning works throughout the contest's history.

caudouin@korea.kr