A 17-year-old Korean pianist has won first prize in one of the world's most prestigious contests for pianists under 20, her school said Friday.

Moon Ji-young, who attends the Korea National Institute for the Gifted in Arts, a program run by the Korea National University of Arts for talented elementary, middle and highschool students, received the top prize at this year's Ettlingen International Competition for Young Pianists in Germany, the university said.

It is the first time in eight years a South Korean has taken first prize at the Ettlingen competition. The country's rising young pianists Son Yeol-eum and Kim Sun-wook each won the prize in 2000 and 2004.

About 251 students from 41 countries took part in the biennial contest this year. (Yonhap)