PAGEANT UPDATES: Miss Korea 2011 is Lee Seong-hye!

Lee Seong-hye, a 22-year-old student of the Parsons School of Design in New York, won the honor of South Korea's beauty queen for 2011 on Wednesday.

Lee, beaming with joy and happiness, was crowned by last year's winner Jung Sora. With the glittering crown on her head, the new Miss Korea showed her determination to promote the best of South Korea.

Miss Korea 2011, Lee Seong-hye

"I would like to attribute this honor to all those who have prayed for me and my loving family. As the winner of Miss Korea, I 'll do my best to represent South Korea and show the country's beauty and national prestige in the next one year," Lee said.

The night of glamour and excitement in search of the country's most beautiful woman ended as Lee and the six runners-up strutted on the stage with a grace and glowing smile.

The country's biggest beauty contest, which began in 1957, was held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in central Seoul with the participation of 54 contestants.

The contestants thrilled the audience with the opening performance that they had prepared during the 26-day training period.

They also charmed the judges in their beautiful colored dresses, hoping to be the stars of the competition that would give them the opportunity to represent South Korea as Miss Korea.

After all portions of the competition were over, only seven were left on the stage, obviously nervous to find out the final results. And the honor went to Lee Seong-hye.

Lee will represent South Korea in the Miss World 2011 and Miss Universe 2012 competitions.

 Xinhua