The Korea Times close
National
  • Politics
  • Foreign Affairs
  • Multicultural Community
  • Defense
  • Environment & Animals
  • Law & Crime
  • Society
  • Health & Science
Business
  • Tech
  • Bio
  • Companies
Finance
  • Companies
  • Economy
  • Markets
  • Cryptocurrency
Opinion
  • Editorial
  • Columns
  • Thoughts of the Times
  • Cartoon
  • Today in History
  • Blogs
  • Tribune Service
  • Blondie & Garfield
  • Letter to President
  • Letter to the Editor
Lifestyle
  • Travel & Food
  • Trends
  • People & Events
  • Books
  • Around Town
  • Fortune Telling
Entertainment
& Arts
  • K-pop
  • Films
  • Shows & Dramas
  • Music
  • Theater & Others
Sports
World
  • SCMP
  • Asia
Video
  • Culture
  • People
  • News
Photos
  • Photo News
  • Darkroom
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
  • The Korea Times
  • search
  • Site Map
  • E-paper
  • Subscribe
  • Register
  • LogIn
search close
Lifestyle
  • Jangseogak Archives
Sun, August 14, 2022 | 13:40
Korea pursues 'hallyu' initiatives
문화체육관광부, 세종학당재단 출범키로
Posted : 2012-05-14 18:14
Updated : 2012-05-14 18:14
Print Preview
Font Size Up
Font Size Down

Choe Kwang-shik, minister of culture, sports & tourism
30 language institutes will be set up around world every year

By Do Je-hae

As part of efforts to boost the staying power of “hallyu” or the Korean wave, the government plans to set up language institutes around the world — 30 or more every year.

Plus, the current Romanization system, already 10 years in existence, will be fixed in order to enable foreigners to read Korean words closer to their original pronunciation.

During a recent interview with The Korea Times, Culture, Sports and Tourism Minister Choe Kwang-shik said, “I find that people who have watched Korean TV dramas tend to become enthusiastic in learning our language as well. In this regard, we will build more sejonghakdang, or Korean-learning institutes, in the coming years.”

Sejong was the fourth king of the Joseon Kingdom (1392-1910) credited with the creation of the Korean alphabet. The sejonghakdang program was first started in 2007 with 12 facilities in major cities such as Tokyo and New York.

These language classes take place at overseas Korean cultural centers or in universities that have departments for Korean studies.

“There are currently 77 sejonghakdang in 36 countries, but the number is expected to increase to 90 by the end of this year. We hope to add at least 30 every year and develop standard textbooks to be used in these institutions,” the minister added.

The ministry will also select 20 certified teachers to dispatch to the institutes.

“With the establishment of the Sejonghakdang Foundation, we expect to enhance their operation and level of training.”

The culture ministry has extensive responsibilities, encompassing various fields including tourism, sports, broadcasting and the cultural content industry, among others.

Almost 40 organizations are affiliated with the ministry, including the National Institute of the Korean Language (NIKL).

The NIKL is responsible for the controversial Revised Romanization of Korean, which has been the official system in South Korea replacing the older McCune-Reischauer style.

Despite governmental promotion, some foreign residents and scholars have consistently raised criticism over the new system, saying that it has causes confusion and that it does not match actual Korean pronunciation of cities and objects.

The minister was against going back to the old system to assuage opposition from some users of Romanized Korean.

“The new system has been practiced for almost 10 years now. If we were to return to the old system this would cause more confusion,” Choe said. “The best way to deal with this issue is to minimize the flaws and implement measures for improvement.”

“This is not just a matter of switching the Romanization system. Going back and forth on such major policies could hurt how Korea’s global status,” Choe added.

The minister showed apprehension about the immense costs involved in switching Romanization systems.

“When we installed the new system, I heard that more than $260 million was spent changing road signs. If we were to do this once more, we would have to do this all over again.”

Flawed signs at major tourist sites, such as Buddhist temples, have also been a chronic problem.

The nation’s Buddhist temples are major tourist attractions for foreigners, who often rely on English versions of Korean signs to learn about the temples they are visiting. But many are inadequate, containing grammatical and factual errors

The need to enhance the accuracy of these translated signs is becoming more apparent as the templestay program heads into its 10th year.

“We believe that it is of great importance to install accurate English signs at Buddhist temples. We will work with local governments to monitor tourist signs and correct misinterpretations.”

문화체육관광부, 세종학당재단 출범키로
매년 해외 한글보급 위해 세종학당 30개 추가 설립 국내에서 한글의 가치에 대한 인식이 고조되고 있는 가운데, 해외에서도 한국문화에 대한 관심이 한국어 학습 열풍으로 이어져 해외 ‘세종학당’의 수강생이 급증하고 있다. 2007년 12개소로 시작된 세종학당은 현재 36개국 77개소가 운영되고 있는데 이에 대한 체계적인 관리와 운영의 전문화를 위해 세종학당’을 지정·지원하는 총괄 기구로서 ‘세종학당재단’ 설립키로 했다고 문화체육관광부가 코리아타임스 인터뷰에서 밝혔다. 문화체육관광부 최광식 장광은 “법 시행과 재단 설립 절차를 거쳐 ‘세종학당재단’이 오는 10월 출범, 한국어 교육을 전문적·체계적으로 지원하며 한국어 세계화의 도약 기반을 구축하게 됐다”고 말했다. 이어 최 장관은 10 여 년 전 도입된 “국의 로마자 표기법”은 논란이 있더라도 보완을 해 가면서 현행 시스템을 유지해야 한다고 말했다. 문화체육관광부는 또 현재 전국 사찰 등 주요관광지에 영문표지 및 안내판의 영역 오류를 시정하게 위해 지방자치단체와 협력을 확대하겠다고 밝혔다.
Emailjhdo@koreatimes.co.kr Article ListMore articles by this reporter
 
LG
  • Seoul City to retrofit manholes to prevent fatal falls during floods
  • Ruling party politicians' visits to flood-damaged areas cause stir
  • Why has Apple Pay been unavailable in Korea?
  • Yoon pardons Samsung chief, other business tycoons to 'overcome economic crisis'
  • Korea lacks data to operate autonomous vehicles
  • Disney beats Netflix in streaming subscribers
  • Lotte Chilsung Beverage CEO's leadership questioned over numerous scandals
  • Korean 'jang,' Japanese miso soup turn historic animosity into tasty friendship
  • Star novelist's 'Harbin' on Korean independence fighter becomes bestseller
  • [Exclusive] KDB accelerates drive to set up new hub in EU
  • Interactive News
  • With tough love,
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • 'Santa dogs' help rebuild burnt forests in Andong
  • A tale of natural wine
    • Death of young webtoon artist sparks controversy over harsh working conditions Death of young webtoon artist sparks controversy over harsh working conditions
    • 'Good Doctor' director to debut Netflix's high-strung suspense series, 'A Model Family' 'Good Doctor' director to debut Netflix's high-strung suspense series, 'A Model Family'
    • Reality shows go abroad again amid eased COVID-19 travel restrictions Reality shows go abroad again amid eased COVID-19 travel restrictions
    • Musical 'Kinky Boots' tells people to love themselves as they are Musical 'Kinky Boots' tells people to love themselves as they are
    • Late Samsung chairman's collection highlights painter Lee Jung-seop as family man Late Samsung chairman's collection highlights painter Lee Jung-seop as family man
    DARKROOM
    • Ice is melting, land is burning

      Ice is melting, land is burning

    • Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

      Tottenham 6-3 Team K League

    • Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

      Afghanistan earthquake killed more than 1,000

    • Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

      Divided America reacts to overturn of Roe vs. Wade

    • Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

      Namaste: Yogis to celebrate International Yoga Day

    The Korea Times
    CEO & Publisher : Oh Young-jin
    Digital News Email : webmaster@koreatimes.co.kr
    Tel : 02-724-2114
    Online newspaper registration No : 서울,아52844
    Date of registration : 2020.02.05
    Masthead : The Korea Times
    Copyright © koreatimes.co.kr. All rights reserved.
    • About Us
    • Introduction
    • History
    • Location
    • Media Kit
    • Contact Us
    • Products & Service
    • Subscribe
    • E-paper
    • Mobile Service
    • RSS Service
    • Content Sales
    • Policy
    • Privacy Statement
    • Terms of Service
    • 고충처리인
    • Youth Protection Policy
    • Code of Ethics
    • Copyright Policy
    • Family Site
    • Hankook Ilbo
    • Dongwha Group