Korea?s disabled youth run a high risk of alienation in the information age. However, cyber space can also be an opportunity for them to display their talents, overcome their physical limitations and compete as productive members of society.

On July 21, SK Telecom and the Chosun Ilbo co-sponsored the 2000 SK Telecom Internet Search Contest for Physically Challenged Youth, which took place at the Korea Exhibition Center (COEX). A total of 223 people, divided into 112 teams, participated this year, the second time the annual event has been held.

The contest is part of SK?s ongoing efforts to return a part of profits to society. The contestants are divided into different classes depending upon the nature of their disabilities (visual, hearing, mental). Prizes were awarded to the best performances in each division.

In addition to cash awards, the winners of the Grand Prize and Gold Prize for each division as well as their teacher won a trip
to Microsoft Headquarters in the US. High-performance computers were also donated to the schools attended by the winning contestants.

This year?s celebration of online information was attended by Korea?s First Lady Lee Hee-ho and the Vice Minister of
Education. Information and Communications Ethics Committee Chairman Park Young-shik served as the head of the judging
panel, and musical performances were given by popular singer Noh Young-shim and Samul-pae, a percussion band made up of physically challenged musicians. The festivities were truly exciting for both the contestants and their parents alike.

SK Telecom PR Division Chief Nam Myung-bok had this to say about the significance of the event: ?We have put this contest
on to encourage the physically challenged to enhance their computer skills and be more productive in society.
SK Telecom plans to continue supporting this effort to make these young people part of the social mainstream.?

In preparation for the contest, SK Telecom offered special PC training for the teachers working at 129 schools for the disabled nationwide. The classes were held at the SK Telecom Hall on the campus of Ehwa University July 3-7.

The Prizes Category/Details
-rand Prize (1 team) for School (1)/High-performance PC
-Grand Prize for Teacher (1)/Plaque, W1,000,000 cash, trip to US
-Grand Prize for Students (2)/Certificate, W2,000,000 cash, trip to US
-Gold Prize (4 teams) for School (4)/1 high-performance PC per team
-Gold Prize for Teacher (4)/Plaque, W500,000 cash per team, trip to US
-Gold Prize for Students (8)/Certificate, W1,000,000 cash per team, trip to US
-Silver Prize (4 teams) for Teacher (4)/Certificate, W300,000 cash per team
-Silver Prize for Students (8)/Certificate, W500,000 cash per team
-Bronze prize (4 teams) for Teacher (4)/Plaque, W200,000 cash per team
-Bronze Prize for Students (8)/Certificate, W300,000 cash per team