Chairman Song Hyangkeun of the King Sejong Institute Foundation delivers his address during a celebration of the institute’s 10th anniversary, at the Blue Square theater in Yongsan-gu District, Seoul, on Oct. 23.
By Cho A-la and Lee Hana
Photos = Jeon Han
Seoul | Oct. 23, 2017
A celebration of the 10th anniversary of the founding of the King Sejong Institute Foundation (KSIF) was held at the Blue Square theater in Yongsan-gu District, Seoul, on Oct. 23.
The ceremony was attended by Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Do Jongwhan, Chairman Song Hyangkeun of the KSIF, Director Kim Tae-hoon of the Korean Culture and Information Service, as well as some 150 guests, including Korean language instructors and King Sejong Institute students.
Minister Do took the opportunity to retrace the steps the KSIF took over the past 10 years. He reminded guests that back in 2007, when the institute was first launched with a new center in Ulaanbaatar, there were only 13 language centers in three countries with a total of 740 students.
“Today, the KSIF has 171 language centers in 54 countries, with student numbers reaching over 50,000,” he said, thanking everyone involved for their efforts in spreading the love of the Korean language all around the world.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Do Jongwhan retraces the steps that the King Sejong Institute Foundation has taken over the past 10 years, at an event to celebrate the institute’s 10th anniversary, held at the Blue Square theater in Yongsan, Seoul on Oct. 23.
Chairman Song spoke about some of the achievements made by the KSIF. “Our institute has been able to achieve all that it has thanks to Korea’s economic growth, and to its reputation in the world of diplomacy, culture and sports. The ‘Hallyu phenomenon’ has also played a huge role,” he said.
“With the past 10 years of experience under our belt, the KSIF will now work hard to become an organization that provides Korean language education overseas, just as the Goethe-Institut fulfils that role for German learners and the Alliance française for French students,” he said.
Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Do Jongwhan (center) taps actor Ahn Sung-ki (left) and K-pop group Red Velvet to be ambassadors for the King Sejong Institute Foundation, at an event to celebrate the institute’s 10th anniversary, at the Blue Square theater in Yongsan-gu District, Seoul on Oct. 23.
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