[SEOUL, South Korea] – In an announcement by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (MCST) of South Korea and the King Sejong Institute Foundation, the year 2023 has seen the emergence of five exemplary Sejong Institutes. These institutes, located in Bogota, Colombia; Brussels, Belgium; Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan; Tainan, Taiwan; and Tallinn, Estonia, have been lauded for their outstanding efforts in promoting Korean language and culture, reflecting South Korea’s vigorous commitment to cultural diplomacy.
Among these, the Sejong Institute in Bishkek stands out with an astonishing 2000% increase in student enrollment, a testament to the soaring global interest in Korean culture, propelled by the global Hallyu wave. The Bishkek institute’s achievement is not just in numbers but also in the depth of cultural immersion and language proficiency it imparts to its students.
Since the inception of the Sejong Institute Hakdang network in 2007, its global footprint has expanded dramatically. With over 700,000 students globally and 248 institutes in 85 countries as of 2024, the network symbolizes the growing fascination and respect for Korean culture worldwide.
The rigorous assessment for the 2023 evaluation of Sejong Institutes involved a detailed review of their contributions over the past year, focusing on factors like educational quality, cultural activities, and community engagement.
The top five institutes will not only receive enhanced operational support but will also gain priority in specialized projects. This strategy is designed to further strengthen their role as cultural emissaries, fostering a deeper understanding and appreciation of Korean culture and language globally.
The King Sejong Institute Foundation plans to use the success stories of these top-performing institutes as benchmarks, encouraging other centers to emulate their achievements. This approach aims to nurture a network of Sejong Institutes that are not only centers of learning but also hubs of cultural exchange and understanding.
The MCST, through these institutes, seeks to expand Korea’s cultural reach, making the Korean language and cultural understanding more accessible worldwide. The success of these institutes is a cornerstone in Korea’s strategy to enhance its soft power and position itself as a leader in cultural education globally.
With this announcement, the MCST and the King Sejong Institute Foundation reaffirm their commitment to promoting Korean culture internationally, ensuring that the legacy of Korea’s rich heritage continues to flourish across borders.
