11 new King Sejong Institutes open in 9 countries as global demand for Korean language surges

A student learns Korean at the King Sejong Institute in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Korea Times file

As global enthusiasm for the Korean language continues to grow, the Korean government designated 11 new King Sejong Institutes (KSIs) in nine countries this year, following a record-high competition rate of 8.5 to 1.

The additions bring the total number of institutes to 252 locations across 87 countries, signaling the Korean language’s unprecedented international appeal.

This year’s expansion includes six new centers in Asia, two in Africa and three in Europe, each chosen to respond to surging local demand for Korean language and culture education.

In Egypt, where the only existing KSI, located at the Korean Cultural Center in Cairo, faced a waitlist of 1,285 students, two new centers will open at Ain Shams University in Cairo and Alexandria University. The expansion comes as Korean businesses increase their presence in the African country.

Uzbekistan, already home to seven KSIs, will see the addition of another at Ajou University in Tashkent. The decision reflects a rise in demand for Korean language education geared toward employment and overseas study in the country, supported by a surge in TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) applicants and the growing number of Uzbek students in Korea, which last year reached 12,025 — fourth highest after China, Vietnam and Mongolia.

In Asia, new institutes were added in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia; Dubai, United Arab Emirates; Shenyang, China; Taipei, Taiwan; and Munoz, Philippines. Europe’s growing hallyu (Korean wave) fandom and the popularity of Korean studies prompted new centers in Bonn, Germany; Turin, Italy; and Miskolc, Hungary.

“The King Sejong Institute is the frontline of introducing Korean language and culture to the world,” said Lee Jeong-mi, director of cultural policy at the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism. “By designating more institutes with strong local partnerships and educational capabilities, we aim to establish Korea as a cultural and linguistic hub with global influence.”

The King Sejong Institute program, launched in 2007 with just 13 centers and 740 students, now serves over 210,000 learners worldwide, both online and offline. The launch of the King Sejong Institute Foundation in 2012 enabled more systematic expansion, professional development of teachers and stronger collaboration with local institutions.

It will also increase the number of regional hub institutes from five to 20 to improve local management, enhance curriculum quality and strengthen Korea’s cultural diplomacy.