- First King Sejong Institutes to open in Nepal and Cuba, countries without King Sejong Institutes

- Globally Over 216,000 students enrolled annually in King Sejong Institutes

On Monday, June 24, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister YU In Chon, MCST), together with the King Sejong Institute Foundation (President LEE Hai Young), announced the designation of 18 new King Sejong Institutes in 15 countries in 2024. This brings the total number of King Sejong Institutes to 256 in 88 countries worldwide, offering students Korean language and culture classes.

In 2023, a total of 216,226 students studied Korean both online and offline at King Sejong Institutes worldwide, marking an increase of about 20.8% from the 178,973 students in 2022. When the first King Sejong Institute opened in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in 2007, there were only 740 students per year at 13 locations in 3 countries. However, with the establishment of the King Sejong Institute Foundation in 2012 and the systematic support for the spread of the Korean language, the number of students surpassed 216,000 in 2023.

  * Number of students enrolled in King Sejong Institutes: (2020) 101,675 → (2021) 138,425 → (2022) 178,973 → (2023) 216,226

* Number of King Sejong Institutes: (2007) 13 locations in 3 countries → (2012) 90 locations in 43 countries → (2014) 130 locations in 55 countries → (2018) 172 locations in 57 countries → (2020) 213 locations in 76 countries → (2023) 248 locations in 85 countries

In the latest recruitment for new King Sejong Institutes, 97 institutions from 40 countries applied, demonstrating the global passion and popularity for learning the Korean language. This resulted in a record-high competition rate[1] of 5.4 to 1, the highest in the past five years. The King Sejong Institute Designation Review Committee, composed of experts in fields, including Korean language education and international cultural exchange, conducted a thorough review of documents, carried out on-site inspections, and completed final screenings for approximately four months. Based on the various steps of review, a total of 18 distinguished organizations were selected thanks to their excellent operational capabilities.

<Newly designated locations by region/country>

 (The underline indicates the newly designated locations in countries currently having no King Sejong Institute)

In particular, Nepal and Cuba were designated this year for the first time among countries that currently have no King Sejong Institute. Nepal, a country with significant participant in the Employment Permit System (EPS), has experienced a rapid growth in demand for learning Korean language. However, compared with high popularity of learning Korean language, the country has relatively inadequate local learning conditions. Under such condition, as the country now will have a King Sejong Institute, the new institute will serve as a educational platform to systematically advance Korean language education and promote Korean culture. In addition, following the establishment of diplomatic relations with Korea in February this year, Cuba is expected to facilitate diverse cultural and human exchanges. The first King Sejong Institute in Havana, Cuba, is expected to enhance the spread of the Korean language and serve as a pivotal center for cultural exchange through the Korean language, particularly in Central and South America, where there is significant enthusiasm for learning Korean. After completing the necessary procedures, such as signing a business consignment contract, the 18 newly designated King Sejong Institutes this year will undergo a six-month pilot operation and commence official operations in 2025.

As the King Sejong Institutes expand to meet the demand for Korean language education, the MCST will conduct regular evaluations and inspections of existing institutes to support improvement plans. Where necessary, designations will be removed from locations where operations are inadequate or normal functioning is uncertain, ensuring effective operation through enhanced management and oversight accordingly.

A policy officer in MCST stated “Looking at the rapidly increasing number of students in King Sejong Institutes and the competition rate for new designation of King Sejong Institutes, we can understand that popularity and enthusiasm for learning Korean are growing”. Also the officer added “In August of this year, we will announce Plan for Innovating the King Sejong Institute to strengthen the Institute to support managing system in each region. “Through the plan, we will solidify the foundation for the sustainable spread of Korean language and culture.”