From Persian to Turkish: Why young Koreans are learning rare foreign languages
Interest in learning so-called “strategic foreign languages” is surging in South Korea, with tens of thousands of people — particularly those in their 20s and 30s — flocking to free online courses in languages such as Ukrainian, Portuguese, Persian, and Turkish. Many say they are motivated by curiosity, a desire to explore new cultures, or dreams of living and working abroad. New languages, new worlds Office worker Oh Min-kyung, 26, took a Ukrainian course offered by the National Institute for International Education (NIIED) in April and May. “I wanted to speak a few words in my friends’ native language when talking to my Ukrainian friends abroad,” she said. “They loved it when I mixed in a few phrases. It was so much fun that I now want to take advanced classes and learn Turkish too. I’m planning to visit Türkiye again, and this time I want to communicate in the local language.” Koo Ja-geon, 39, who works for a public agency, has made language learning a long-term hobby. Since 2020, he has studied Portuguese, Swahili, Persian, Hungarian, and Dutch through NIIED pro
Oct 3, 2025By Hankookilbo