Latest news with #KingSejongInstituteFoundation
Straits Times
12 hours ago
- Business
- Straits Times
New Sejong Institutes to open amid growing demand for Korean language classes
SEOUL - Amid surging global interest in Korean language and culture, the King Sejong Institute Foundation, which oversees Korean language education abroad, is expanding its network to ease waitlists and meet growing demand for Korean classes worldwide. In 2025, 11 new King Sejong Institutes, named after King Sejong the Great (1397-1450), who created the Korean alphabet Hangeul, will open across nine countries, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on July 4. With the additions there will be a total of 252 institutes in 87 countries. In Egypt, where the only KSI in Cairo faced a waitlist of more than 1,200 students, two new centers will open at Ain Shams University and Alexandria University to accommodate learners eager to study Korean for academic, professional, and cultural reasons. The expansion reflects the growing presence of Korean businesses in Egypt, which has increased local demand for Korean language skills for employment. Uzbekistan, which already hosts seven KSIs, will gain an additional center at Ajou University in Tashkent, responding to rising demand among students preparing for study in Korea and seeking Korean language proficiency for employment opportunities. The country now sends over 12,000 students to Korea each year, the fourth highest after China, Vietnam and Mongolia. In Asia, new KSIs will open in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Dubai in United Arab Emirates, Shenyang in China, Taipei in Taiwan, and Munoz in the Philippines, while Europe's expanding Korean language demand has led to new centers in Bonn in Germany, Turin in Italy, and Miskolc in Hungary. In 2024 alone, a total of 210,374 students studied Korean both online and offline at King Sejong Institutes worldwide. This is a significant increase from 2007, when the first King Sejong Institute opened in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, with just 13 centers in three countries opening that year, with 740 students. The ministry said that it planned to gradually expand the number of King Sejong Institutes to more than 350 by 2030 to ensure that Korean language learners worldwide can access classes as demand continues to grow. THE KOREA HERALD/ASIA NEWS NETWORK Top stories Swipe. Select. Stay informed. Singapore CPF members can make housing, retirement and health insurance plans with new digital platform Singapore From temples to towers: Old memories collide with new money in Geylang Singapore Clans of Geylang: The fight for survival and revival Asia Magnitude 5.4 quake shakes south-western Japan islands as temblors continue Singapore Tan Cheng Bock and Hazel Poa step down from PSP leadership Life 'I applied to over 300 jobs': What people wish they knew before they got laid off Asia Dream wheels, Malaysian deals: Singaporean car lovers find affordable indulgence across the border Asia How a Singaporean heatproofs himself to cope with 40 deg C summer in Chongqing
Korea Herald
a day ago
- Business
- Korea Herald
New Sejong Institutes to open amid growing demand for Korean language classes
Eleven new institutes in nine countries to open this year Amid surging global interest in Korean language and culture, the King Sejong Institute Foundation, which oversees Korean language education abroad, is expanding its network to ease waitlists and meet growing demand for Korean classes worldwide. This year, 11 new King Sejong Institutes, named after King Sejong the Great (1397-1450), who created the Korean alphabet Hangeul, will open across nine countries, according to the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism on Friday. With the additions there will be a total of 252 institutes in 87 countries. In Egypt, where the only KSI in Cairo faced a waitlist of more than 1,200 students, two new centers will open at Ain Shams University and Alexandria University to accommodate learners eager to study Korean for academic, professional, and cultural reasons. The expansion reflects the growing presence of Korean businesses in Egypt, which has increased local demand for Korean language skills for employment. Uzbekistan, which already hosts seven KSIs, will gain an additional center at Ajou University in Tashkent, responding to rising demand among students preparing for study in Korea and seeking Korean language proficiency for employment opportunities. The country now sends over 12,000 students to Korea each year, the fourth highest after China, Vietnam and Mongolia. In Asia, new KSIs will open in Kuala Lumpur in Malaysia, Dubai in United Arab Emirates, Shenyang in China, Taipei in Taiwan, and Munoz in the Philippines, while Europe's expanding Korean language demand has led to new centers in Bonn in Germany, Turin in Italy, and Miskolc in Hungary. In 2024 alone, a total of 210,374 students studied Korean both online and offline at King Sejong Institutes worldwide. This is a significant increase from 2007, when the first King Sejong Institute opened in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, with just 13 centers in three countries opening that year, with 740 students. The ministry said that it planned to gradually expand the number of King Sejong Institutes to more than 350 by 2030 to ensure that Korean language learners worldwide can access classes as demand continues to grow.
Time of India
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Korean Consul General backs power of language for Indian students to build careers in top firms, diplomacy
Pune: Learning Korean can open doors to numerous opportunities for Indian students, said Consul General of Republic of Korea in Mumbai Yoo Dong-Wan. He was addressing students at the Korean speaking contest hosted by King Sejong Institute Pune in Balewadi on Sunday. Emphasising the power of language as a cultural bridge, he said such initiatives strengthen ties between India and South Korea and equip students for diverse global careers, including diplomacy and roles in top Korean companies. Speaking to the media after the event, Yoo highlighted plans to further deepen Indo-Korean connections through cultural events in Mumbai, such as street festivals and collaborations between Bollywood and the Korean film industry. He added that continued cultural exchanges would help both nations understand each other better and create new pathways in tourism, entertainment, and education. You Can Also Check: Pune AQI | Weather in Pune | Bank Holidays in Pune | Public Holidays in Pune The event, held at King Sejong Institute Pune's Balewadi campus, celebrated Korean language and culture as part of a global initiative by the King Sejong Institute Foundation (KSIF) under Korea's ministry of culture, sports & tourism. Supported by the Korean Consulate and sponsored by LG Electronics, the competition attracted over 300 enthusiastic attendees. Fifteen talented finalists showcased their Korean language skills and cultural knowledge, impressing the audience and jury alike. Ananya Anand won first place, earning a fully sponsored trip to Seoul to represent India in the global finals, including a week-long Korean cultural immersion programme. Vaishnavi Gaikwad and Shreeya Revankar secured second and third places respectively, while Zainab Bi Shaikh and Prachi Bhagat received consolation prizes. Yoo Dong-Wan said, "This kind of competition builds bridges between cultures and tears down barriers. It offers great opportunities for students to pursue roles such as diplomats or high-level positions in Korean companies. Such initiatives deepen our understanding of a rapidly changing world." He also encouraged students to keep learning and self-reflecting. Hee Ok, managing director of LG Electronics in India, emphasised the broader significance of language learning. "Studying a language is not just about academics, it's about building bridges between India and Korea," she said, commending the dedication shown by the students.
