
At the launching ceremony of the 2025 Korea History Research Fellowship, Chairman Han Jong-woo of WHDEF delivers a welcoming address. (Image courtesy of Yonhap)
SEOUL, July 2 (Korea Bizwire) — A group of 29 secondary school teachers from the United States, Europe, and the Asia-Pacific region have arrived in South Korea for a firsthand look at the country’s complex history, rapid industrialization, and dynamic culture, moving beyond the textbook depictions they typically present in classrooms.
The initiative, titled the 2025 Korea History Research Fellowship, officially began on July 1 with a launch ceremony at the Westin Josun Hotel in central Seoul, hosted by the World History Digital Education Foundation (WHDEF). The program runs through July 10 and includes visits to key historical and industrial sites in Seoul, Busan, Pohang, and Cheongju.
Participants include 17 teachers from 12 U.S. states and 12 educators from 10 other countries, including France, Sweden, New Zealand, and the Philippines. Their itinerary includes visits to the Demilitarized Zone (DMZ), the War Memorial of Korea, and the UN Peace Memorial Hall, as well as major industrial facilities such as POSCO’s Pohang Steelworks and Samsung Electronics.
“This isn’t the Korea we see in the classroom — it’s the Korea we are experiencing firsthand,” said Bronwyn Hollis-Turner, a deputy curriculum head from Marist College in New Zealand. She highlighted the importance of helping students understand New Zealand’s involvement in the Korean War in a global context.
WHDEF Chair Han Jong-woo emphasized that the program centers not only on Korea’s historical legacy, such as the Korean War and democratization, but also on its current developments and geopolitical challenges. “Through Korea’s journey, teachers will reflect on how they teach students in their own classrooms,” Han said.

World history teachers from the U.S., Europe, and Asia-Pacific regions pose for a commemorative photo during the 2025 Korea History Research Fellowship in Seoul. (Image courtesy of Yon hap)
The program is co-organized with the Korea Foundation (KF), which supports educational and cultural exchanges. Participants are expected to return home equipped with deeper insights to enrich their curricula with nuanced, globally informed perspectives on Korea.
Jennifer Morgan, former president of the National Council for the Social Studies in the U.S., noted the significance of inquiry-based learning in providing students with richer understandings. “Programs like this empower teachers to bring history alive, and ultimately, they’re about sharing knowledge — that’s where their real strength lies,” she said.
WHDEF has been organizing Korea-focused education programs for international teachers since 2018 and has published a series of curriculum materials, including “Korea’s Place in Teaching World History,” which align with U.S. Advanced Placement (AP) and social studies standards.
As South Korea continues to expand its role on the global stage, such education diplomacy efforts are part of a broader push to integrate Korean perspectives into world history classrooms worldwide.
M. H. Lee (mhlee@koreabizwire.com)