King Sejong Institute Foundation President Lee Hai-young / Courtesy of King Sejong Institute Foundation

Knowing a foreign language can open up numerous opportunities, including jobs in other countries, higher-level education, and a broader network. While English has long been a key language offering access to a wider world, Korean is now emerging as a significant language with similar potential, according to Lee Hai-young, president of the King Sejong Institute Foundation (KSIF).

She views the learning experience at the King Sejong Institute as a launchpad for new opportunities.

"My hope is for studying Korean at the King Sejong Institute to serve as a passport for students, opening doors to new dreams and even lives," Lee said during an interview with The Korea Times at a hotel in Jung District, Seoul, Aug. 9. "My wish is to place that passport in the hands of as many learners as possible."

Since its establishment in 2012 under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, the King Sejong Institute Foundation (KSIF) has been dedicated to promoting Korean language and culture. By managing and supporting a network of King Sejong Institutes, which began in 2007, the foundation has transformed these centers into gateways that offer students worldwide not only language skills but also valuable personal and professional opportunities.

Lee, a pioneer professor in Korean language education at Ewha Womans University, began her three-year term as the third president of the KSIF in September 2021. During her tenure, Lee observed a significant shift in how students approach learning Korean.

"Examining the students opting to learn Korean, I saw they weren't just learning it as a hobby ... Initially, they might have been drawn to Korean because of the dazzling hallyu, or the Korean wave. But ultimately, most of their goals transform into using Korean as a stepping stone to the next stage of their lives. The interest sparked by hallyu becomes a tool for individual realization and, at the same time, a driving force for the growth of local industries," Lee explained.

"This is why my greatest goal and source of pride during my tenure is to transform our institutes into places where newly enrolled Korean language students, inspired by hallyu, can envision their next steps, whether that means studying abroad or securing a job at a Korean company."

Lee also highlighted that promoting Korean language education could help address Korea's declining population.

"We're facing a labor shortage, and ideally, we would have high-quality foreign workers who are proficient in Korean language and culture to support and adapt effectively. However, achieving this integration presents challenges," Lee said. "For instance, while Uzbekistan and Nepal were part of Korea's Employment Permit System, they lacked King Sejong Institutes, resulting in insufficient Korean language education. To address this, we recently expanded our institutes in Uzbekistan to enhance language training for the workforce there before they come to work in Korea."

King Sejong Institute Foundation President Lee Hai-young speaks during the closing ceremony of the 2024 World Korean Language Educators Conference at a hotel in Seoul's Jung District, Aug. 9. Courtesy of King Sejong Institute Foundation

Ever-growing interest

Twelve years after its founding, the KSIF has experienced a dramatic increase in the number of students.

When the first King Sejong Institute opened in Mongolia in 2007, it had a relatively small enrollment of 740 students. However, following the establishment of the foundation for systematic support five years later, the number of students surged to over 216,000, reflecting a growing global interest in Korean culture and professional opportunities in Korea.

According to the KSIF president, the number of students on waiting lists has reached approximately 15,000 due to the limited number of institutes.

"With the growing desire for employment in Korean companies and related businesses, we are seeing an annual increase of 44 percent in student numbers," Lee said. "Therefore, our foundation is actively researching where to open new institutes and exploring various methods to reach more students."

Currently, King Sejong Institutes are located in 256 venues across 88 countries. In June, the network expanded with the introduction of 18 new institutes in 15 countries, including Nepal and Cuba.

Lee particularly emphasized the significance of the new institute in Cuba, noting that the Caribbean country, which has historically been more aligned with North Korea than South Korea, established diplomatic relations with Seoul in February.

"This new Sejong Institute could mark the first tangible achievement since our diplomatic ties began. We anticipate it will expand Korean language education and serve as a cultural exchange hub in Latin America, where interest in learning Korean is high," she said.

Despite the expansion, the number of institutes still falls short of demand. To address this gap, Lee introduced the Metaverse King Sejong Institute.

"In 2022, we launched an online classroom called the Metaverse King Sejong Institute. Unlike traditional video-based classes, which may seem impersonal, this platform offers a sense of belonging by allowing students to engage in role-playing and interact in a shared virtual space, effectively simulating a real Korean language learning environment," she explained.

"We are seeing promising results as the Metaverse King Sejong Institute evolves into a leading medium for immersive online Korean language education, satisfying many learners."

King Sejong Institute Foundation President Lee Hai-young / Courtesy of King Sejong Institute Foundation

Looking back on her tenure, Lee particularly highlighted the launch of the King Sejong Institute Center France in Paris as a major achievement.

In December 2021, this European hub was established to effectively support 21 institutes across nine European countries. Lee was particularly moved by a lecture delivered by French writer Jean-Marie Gustave Le Clézio, the 2008 Nobel Laureate in Literature, during the center's opening ceremony held in November 2022.

"The writer remarked at the time, 'There is nothing that cannot be written in Hangeul. King Sejong created characters that can transcribe any language in the world, making reading and writing incredibly easy.' I found these words profoundly touching," she recalled.

"It was wonderful to see a renowned foreign writer appreciate the value of our language, its founder and the King Sejong Institute. It felt like the beginning of the institute's journey to expand globally."

As the world starts to acknowledge the significance of the Korean language, Lee emphasized the intrinsic value of learning Korean.

"Learning Korean is a fantastic endeavor," Lee said. "It's a language with rising global prestige and a tool that can lead to economic success. However, I hope that students take pride in and enjoy the sheer act of learning Korean, beyond just seeing it as a means to achieve something."