SEOUL, June 30 (Korea Bizwire) — In a continued push to globalize its language and culture, South Korea is adding 11 new King Sejong Institutes to its growing international network of Korean language centers, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced Monday.
These newly designated centers—named after the 15th-century monarch who created the Korean alphabet, Hangeul—will be established across nine countries, including Egypt, Germany, and Uzbekistan. The expansion brings the total number of King Sejong Institutes worldwide to 252, spanning 87 countries.
In Egypt, where interest in Korean language and culture is soaring, two new institutes will open at Ain Shams University in Cairo and Alexandria University. Until now, the country hosted just one center at the Korean Cultural Center in Cairo. According to officials, more than 1,280 people are currently on the waiting list for Korean language classes in Egypt alone.
Asia also remains a stronghold for Korean language education. Six of the new centers will be located across five countries—including China, Uzbekistan, and the Philippines—where enthusiasm for Korean pop culture continues to drive demand for language learning.
Uzbekistan, already home to seven institutes, is gaining an eighth due to increasing interest in the Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK). In fact, over 12,000 Uzbek students were enrolled in South Korean higher education institutions as of last year.
Europe, too, is seeing growth. New centers will be launched in Germany, Italy, and Hungary, reflecting a broader global embrace of Korea’s cultural exports—from K-dramas to K-pop.
The record-breaking number of applicants this year—94 institutions across 43 countries—underscores the worldwide appeal of Korean language programs. Demand has surged in recent years, riding the wave of Korean cultural popularity and an increasing number of international students eyeing opportunities in Korea.
The King Sejong Institute program began modestly in 2007, with just 13 institutes in three countries. That year, it served 740 students. Since then, the government-backed initiative—administered by the King Sejong Institute Foundation—has grown exponentially. By 2023, enrollment had surpassed 210,000 students globally.
Looking ahead, the Korean government aims to grow the number of King Sejong Institutes to 350 by 2030, reinforcing its commitment to making Hangeul not just a national treasure, but a global one.
Lina Jang (linajang@koreabizwire.com)
