Professor Jeeyoung Ahn Ha, student Jana Karunakaran, student Frances Ivy-Barrett, and Instructor Jihye Yun at the 2026 MATK Korean Speech Contest

Jana Karunakaran and Frances Ivy-Barrett, winners of the Beginning and Advanced Levels at the 10th UIUC Korean Speech Contest, represented the Korean Language Program at the 7th Midwest Korean Speech Contest on April 4, 2026. 

We are proud to share that Jana received the Excellence Award in the Beginning Level category, which includes a $500 cash prize. We warmly congratulate both Jana and Frances for their outstanding efforts and achievements, and for representing our program with such distinction.