A wine stopper inspired by the royal throne of the Joseon Dynasty (1392–1910) has been named the grand prize winner of the 2025 Korea Tourism Souvenir Contest, the Korea Tourism Organization (KTO) announced Wednesday.

The Joseon Royal Wine Stopper draws its design from the image of a king seated on the throne at Geunjeongjeon Hall in Gyeongbok Palace, one of Seoul’s most iconic heritage sites.

Alongside the grand prize, the KTO also revealed 25 additional winners selected for this year’s competition, which highlights creativity and cultural storytelling in Korean-made souvenirs.

The winning items will be showcased at the 2025 Korea Tourism Souvenir Expo, scheduled for Nov. 21–23 at Dongdaemun Design Plaza (DDP) in central Seoul. The three-day event will feature the official awards ceremony and a wide-ranging display of K-goods, offering both domestic and international visitors a chance to explore innovative products rooted in Korean tradition.

Sayart / Sharon Jung guhuijeong784@gmail.com