Construction Workers Mutual Aid Association launches 17th photo and video contest

The Construction Workers Mutual Aid Association is holding its 17th annual photo and video contest to showcase the daily lives and on-site scenes of construction workers.

The association announced Monday that the contest, themed "The Sweat and Pride of Construction Workers — A Happy Journey Together," is open to any South Korean citizen aged 19 or older. The competition was established to promote the social value of construction workers and foster a more positive public perception of the industry.

Submissions are divided into two categories: photography and video. Eligible content includes depictions of construction workers' daily lives, dynamic scenes from construction sites, and coverage of the association's retirement mutual aid and employment welfare projects. The video category also includes a separate track for institutional promotional videos reflecting the association's mission and vision. AI-generated video works are also eligible for submission this year, reflecting changes in the content production landscape.

Entries will be accepted online through the contest's official website from June 1 through July 24. Submissions will then go through a preliminary review, first- and second-round judging, and a public verification process before final winners are selected in September.

In the photography category, the grand prize and top prize winners will receive the Minister of Employment and Labor Award, with a total of 14 works selected — including two excellence prizes and 10 encouragement prizes. In the video category, the grand prize and top prize winners will receive the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Award, while excellence and encouragement prize recipients will receive the association president's award, for a total of four works selected. This year, the number of works receiving the Minister of Land, Infrastructure and Transport Award increased by one compared to last year.

Winning works will be used in future photo and video exhibitions and in the production of promotional content for the association.

"We ask for your interest and participation so that the sweat and pride of construction workers can be warmly conveyed to the public," association President Jang Geon said. "We will continue making diverse efforts to spread awareness of the social value and positive image of construction workers."