The Korea National Award winners have been selected for the "2025 Sony World Photography Awards (SWPA)," the world's largest photography competition sponsored by Sony and organized by the World Photography Organization (WPO). Now in its 18th year, SWPA received over 419,000 photographs from more than 200 countries this year.
Gold Award winner: Nam Ki-bong, a black-and-white photography specialist who captured the majestic Iceland waterfall using long-exposure technique. Critic Kim Ju-won, fine art landscape photographer: "The work transcends simple landscape photography, containing deep reflection on the nature of time and existence — the vertical columnar jointing represents the permanent geological time of Earth, while the flowing waterfall signifies endless change and circulation. The sweeping composition and powerful black-and-white contrast leads viewers to profound contemplation."
Silver Award: Pyo Gil-yeong for "Uhwajeong Pavilion In Winter" — critic noted "the telephoto lens compression effect condenses the depth of the landscape within a single frame, creating a densely layered flatness." Bronze Award: Oh Gyeong-hwan — critic praised "the blue light filling the abyss forms infinite spatial depth, with the figure dramatically positioned rising from darkness toward light." All Korea National Award winners receive Sony's latest digital imaging devices, with their works included in the SWPA annual exhibition and catalog. Full results for all Youth, Student, Open, and Professional categories will be announced April 16, with works exhibited at Somerset House, London from April 17 to May 5.
