By Diplomacy Journal Lee Kap-soo
The awards ceremony for “The 5th Korea+Sweden Young Design Award (KSYDA)”—co-hosted by home furnishing retailer IKEA Korea, the Embassy of Sweden in Seoul, and the Korea Institute of Design Promotion (KIDP)—was held on June 4 at the Grand Hyatt Seoul, in conjunction with ‘Sweden Day,’ an annual celebration hosted by the Embassy of Sweden.
Launched in 2019 to mark the 60th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Korea and Sweden, the Korea+Sweden Young Design Award aims to expand design exchange between the 2 countries. Under the guiding principles of “innovation,” “sustainability,” and “a better future,” the award presents a new theme each year to discover and support emerging Korean designers.
This year’s theme, “Space and Interior Design for the Future,” invited a wide range of entries that reflect creativity and environmental values in response to the lifestyle changes driven by the rise of single-person households. A panel of 10 judges, composed of design experts and opinion leaders from Korea and Sweden, evaluated the submissions based on creativity, aesthetics, thematic relevance, and impact.
The top 3 winners are Yoon Taehyun, Lee Hannah, and Lim Junwoo, selected as the grand prize-winning work. ‘Roll Walker’ reinterprets a walking aid—often seen as a symbol of vulnerability—as a functional and aesthetically refined lifestyle object. The design highlights how creative design can help reduce social stigma and promote dignity and independence in everyday life.
In the end, the Grand Prize was awarded to Yoon Taehyun (Rollwalker), Lee Hanna (Bitteulda), and Lim Junwoo (Raindrop), who presented designs that demonstrated deep insight into future ways of living and embodied creative and environmental values.
The top 3 winners will receive various benefits, including a design tour in Sweden and opportunities to grow as global next-generation designers. In addition, the 15 finalist works, including the Grand Prize-winning designs, are featured on the official Korea+Sweden Young Design Award website and will be exhibited at Design Korea 2025 in November.
Isabel Puig, Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of IKEA Korea, said, “This year’s award offered young Korean designers the opportunity to envision future spaces through creative solutions and showcase the potential of design for a better world. IKEA will continue to support them in expanding their presence on the global stage and making positive change through design.”
Karl-Olof Andersson, the ambassador of Sweden to South Korea, stated, “Design shapes how we live, connect, and imagine the future. The Korea+Sweden Young Design Award highlights the creativity of young talents in rethinking our spaces with sustainability and innovation in mind.” He continued, “It is inspiring to see this collaboration between our countries as we continue to thrive. I would like to thank all the young designers who participated, and I look forward to seeing how these designs and ideas will influence the spaces of tomorrow.”
Yoon Sangheum, President of the KIDP stated, “It was a meaningful occasion that highlighted the potential of young Korean designers, grounded in the core values of innovation, sustainability, and a better future.” He added, “Going forward, the KIDP and Korea+Sweden Young Design Award will continue to discover emerging talents and serve as a bridge connecting Korean and Swedish design.”
