The World Robot Olympiad Korea(WRO) 2025 was held over a two-day, one-night schedule, hosted by the Green Human IT Association. The event was organized by the Green Human IT Association, Korea Information Industry Association, Robot News, Hands-on Technology, and Cheongju Osco, with sponsorship from numerous institutions, including Chungcheongbuk-do Province, Cheongju City, Chungbuk Education Office, Chungbuk Cultural Foundation, Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement, Korea Data Industry Promotion Agency, Korea Robot Industry Association, among others. This year's competition saw the participation of over 2,000 students, parents, and coaches from across the country, making it a grand occasion.
On the first day, the event officially kicked off with the opening declaration by Professor Kim Sun-myoung, Vice President of the Korea Information Industry Association. Following this, Nam Sang-yeop, Chairman of the World Robot Olympiad Korea, delivered a congratulatory speech, stating, “The 2025 WRO Korea will be a valuable opportunity for our youth to realize their potential as creative, convergent talents who can lead the AI era, and to freely express their dreams and talents.” Chungbuk Education Superintendent Yoon Geon-young also emphasized, “WRO 2025 is an official stage for selecting Korea’s representatives to participate in the World Robot Olympiad, offering a precious chance for young people to demonstrate their creativity, problem-solving skills, teamwork, and digital capabilities.”
Kim Su-min, the Deputy Governor of Chungbuk Province, extended a welcoming speech, saying, “I hope today’s participants will grow into the top robotic scientists who will represent Korea in 20 or 30 years. I wish they will remember their participation in WRO when they become world-renowned robotics researchers someday.”
Ryu Jio, Acting President of the Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement, also delivered a speech, expressing hope that "these young dreamers gathered here will help Korea become a robot powerhouse. The Korea Institute for Robot Industry Advancement will actively strive to nurture robot talents."
Yang Jae-soo, President of the Korea Data Industry Promotion Agency(K-DATA), stated, “WRO helps young people develop creativity and problem-solving skills through enjoyable and engaging experiences with robots. The efforts made in preparing for this competition will serve as a solid foundation for your future paths." He particularly mentioned that, with the rising prominence of generative AI and the advent of the Fourth Industrial Revolution, hands-on experiences with robots are essential for nurturing future talents. He emphasized that this event is not just a technological contest but also a platform to foster the development of intelligent robots and AI convergence talents.
President Yang also noted that since its inception in 2004, the global WRO has seen participation from countless young people worldwide, fostering their growth. He expressed great expectations for the Korean team’s performance on the international stage, highlighting how this competition allows youth to enjoy and develop their creativity and problem-solving skills—core competencies for leading future industries. He projected that Korea, based on data and AI, will play a significant role in advancing as an intelligent robot nation.
He addressed the young participants, saying, “Your challenges and enthusiasm today represent more than just assembling robots; they embody your efforts and teamwork, which will become valuable assets for your future. Regardless of whether you win or not, the journey of achievement itself is an important part of your growth.”
The competition featured various categories tailored to different age groups and difficulty levels. Participants engaged in both structured challenge tasks and open challenges involving creative projects, testing skills in design, construction, and programming.
Judging was based on technical proficiency, creativity, teamwork, and problem-solving ability. For the challenge tasks, the focus was on completing missions accurately and efficiently within a time limit. In open challenges, judges evaluated originality and practicality from problem definition through to design and demonstration. On-site technical verification and in-depth Q&A sessions thoroughly examined the design intentions and complexity.
In addition, the event hosted a variety of side activities, including exhibition booths showcasing the latest educational robots, sensors, control technology, coding platforms, and more. Workshops and mentoring sessions allowed students from elementary to high school to experience hands-on robot building and coding, exchanging ideas with industry professionals. Some teams even refined their designs and algorithms in real-time based on feedback.
To ensure fairness, the competition proceeded through preliminary and final rounds. Top teams in each age group earned the right to compete at international events and received opportunities for domestic and overseas exchanges. Award recipients were presented with certificates and trophies, and sponsors offered special awards and mentoring.
Source of photos from WRO Korea 2025: Robot News.
You can find the Korean version of this article here.
