'Oil-Stained Work Clothes: The Most Beautiful Outfit of a Family Head', Grand Prize Winner of the KCCI Photo Contest

Photo of Army Soldiers Conducting Disinfection Work 'Thoroughly in Every Corner' Wins COVID-19 Special Exhibition Grand Prize

'The Most Beautiful Clothes of the Head of the Household' by Kim Seung-kwon, selected as the Grand Prize winner of the 7th KCCI Photo Contest

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki-min Lee] On the 12th, the Korea Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI) announced the list of 82 award-winning works, including 2 grand prize winners, 6 excellence awards, and 12 merit awards, at the '7th KCCI Photo Contest.' This contest saw a total of about 5,500 entries submitted by the general public, photographers, and photojournalists competing.

Under the theme 'The Workplace and Life of Businesspeople,' the grand prize-winning work, 'The Most Beautiful Clothes of the Head of the Household,' is a photograph of work clothes covered in black grease stains. Kim Seung-kwon, who submitted this work, said, "I took the photo thinking about the owner of the work clothes who is both the head of a household and a worker," adding, "If workplaces become healthier, the world will become healthier, and work clothes should be the most beautiful clothes in the world," expressing his gratitude upon receiving the award.

The KCCI prepared a special exhibition on COVID-19 to support the people overcoming the novel coronavirus infection (COVID-19) crisis this year.

'Guseokguseok Komkomhi' by Jeong Byeonghyeok, selected as the grand prize winner of the 7th KCCI Photo Contest

In the COVID-19 category, Jeong Byeong-hyeok’s 'Thoroughly in Every Corner,' which captures soldiers of the army focusing on quarantine work, won the grand prize. Jeong said, "Regardless of social class or occupation, I wanted to show how we are dealing with COVID-19 as it is," and added, "The invisible enemy has made things more distant and difficult for us, but I want to send a message of thanks and encouragement to all of us enduring this difficult situation and to those guarding the front lines of quarantine," sharing his award acceptance remarks.

Professor Lee Kyung-ryul of Chung-Ang University’s Department of Photography, who served as the head judge, said, "This year’s contest judging focused on scenes that give hope and messages of overcoming to those who have been struggling due to the COVID-19 crisis," and added, "Although the grand prize works are somewhat unconventional, they were selected as photos implying workers who silently endure everything and work diligently even in difficult situations."

Four excellence awards (2 from the media, 2 from the general public) were selected under the theme 'The Workplace and Life of Businesspeople,' and two (1 from the media, 1 from the general public) under the theme 'COVID-19.'

The KCCI stated, "This year, due to the ongoing COVID-19 situation, there were many restrictions on photography activities," and added, "Nevertheless, the largest number of works ever was submitted, and we express our gratitude to all participants, including photojournalists and general citizens, who submitted excellent photos."

The award ceremony for the winners will be held online on the 18th of this month. The 82 award-winning works will be exhibited online on the KCCI Photo Contest website starting that day.

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.