“Honored to be selected as the best KSI in 2023”
Director Son Dong-won of KSI Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan

As a result of the 2023 KSI operation evaluation, five best KSI locations were selected. Among them, KSI Bishkek, Kyrgyzstan, received a commendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism. How did KSI Bishkek achieve this excellent outcome? We learned the secret behind the operation of KSI Bishkek that other locations can learn from Director Son Dong-won

Good morning. Congratulations on being selected as the best KSI in the 2023 KSI operation evaluation! And on receiving a commendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism! How did you feel when you heard the news?

Hello. I am Son Dong-won, the director of KSI Bishkek. First of all, I thank KSIF for selecting us as the best KSI and positively evaluating us among the best five so that we receive a commendation from the Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism. When I heard the news that we received the commendation, I really wanted to share this joy with the instructors and operating team staff who have worked hard for KSI Bishkek since its establishment in 2013.

Please tell us about the current status of KSI Bishkek, including the operation team, learners, and organizations.

KSI Bishkek opened in 2013 with only 5 members. Since then, the number of operating team has doubled, and it is operated jointly by a Korean operating agency (Kyungwoon University) and a local operating agency (Kyrgyz National Arabaev University). In 2024, there are a total of 478 new learners, with the highest number being college students, followed by office workers and high school students. The age group of 14-19 years old constitutes 56.7% of the total (271 persons), 20-24 years old is 29.9% (143), and 25-34 years old is 9.6% (46). There are also late learners over the age of 44. Most learners are learning Korean to study in Korea. There are also many learners who are learning Korean language and culture for other purposes such as employment, marriage immigration, etc.

KSI Bishkek has been recognized for its operating achievements over the past 10 years upon receiving this commendation. Please explain some key achievements, such as the spread of Korean within Bishkek and the cultivation of outstanding talents, and share the secrets behind these achievements.

I would say that today's achievements are based on 'unity with learners,' 'trust with learners,' and 'mutual cultural respect.' An example of cultivating outstanding talents is that our learners became instructors of KSI Bishkek. Teachers Nasiba and Begimai, who studied at the local operating agency Kyrgyz National Arabaev University's Korean language department while learning Korean at KSI, obtained master's degrees in Korean language education through the GKS scholarship program in Korea, and returned to KSI as instructors to teach Korean. I think this can be a model case for all learners. Many graduates are working in local Korean institutions or companies or pursuing various careers in Korea. We believe that learners are the key players in operating the institute. The culture of learners operating KSI together with teachers and operating staff is what we think has led to our location being recognized as the best.

KSI Bishkek actively participates in almost all projects conducted by the King Sejong Institute Foundation, including the Sejong Culture Academy, Korean language teacher training, translation courses, KSI special projects, and culture internships. I'm curious about which projects you have participated in over the past three years, which project you felt the highest satisfaction in, and what the effects were.

KSI Bishkek has participated in almost all projects conducted by KSIF since its opening, especially in 2023. Among many projects, participation in the Sejong Culture Academy drew the highest satisfaction and response. Teachers trained through the Korean Language Teacher Training program are actively working as Korean language teachers in other educational institutions, Korean language departments of various universities, and academies. Additionally, 'Visiting KSI' is a specialized project that serves as a gateway for people in remote areas who find it difficult to experience Korean language and culture to learn Korean at KSI and we evaluate this project positively.

KSI Bishkek actively collaborates with various organizations such as the local Korean Embassy’s education center and the Taekwondo Promotion Foundation. Can you tell me which project among the recent ones has been most helpful for the operation of KSI?

KSI Bishkek has been conducting many projects in collaboration with various organizations. We believe that the promotional effects are higher when KSI collaborates with other organizations. The 'KSI Bishkek 10th Anniversary, Kyrgyz-Korean Cultural Festival' held at the Kyrgyz National Drama Theater was the most outstanding event among recent projects that demonstrated collaboration with relevant organizations. This event, — organized in collaboration with the Kyrgyz National Cultural Center, Kyrgyz National Conservatory, Korean Association, Mannam Performance Team, Kyrgyz National Ensemble, Korean Embassy in Kyrgyzstan, and Korea International Cooperation Agency — was not just a celebration of the 10th anniversary of KSI Bishkek, but also reflected the harmony between the Kyrgyz and Korean cultures. I believe that it is impossible to promote one’s own culture without respecting other cultures, and that culture is a harmonious combination. KSI Bishkek always respects local culture and operates on the basis of considering the harmony between Korean and Kyrgyz culture.

KSI Bishkek's Instagram and YouTube accounts are very active. Who is in charge of their operation? Since 2020, the event photos and videos posted on KSI Bishkek's social media have been of high quality, distinguishing it from other KSIs. Please tell us if there are any secrets to operating social media accounts.

It was challenging to promote KSI in the beginning when we opened. Although the Korean Wave was phenomenal, at that time, social media were not as active, making it difficult to attract people who wanted to experience Korean language and culture to KSI. However, now we effectively attracting learners by operating various social media, including Instagram and Youtube. Our social media accounts are managed by the operating staff, and photos or videos are shot by experts to upload posts on various events and regular news. Nowadays, we also use the talents of learners who are good at photography, video shooting, or video editing to contribute to our content.

To achieve such outstanding operational results, you must need to encourage operational staff and teachers. What efforts have you made to motivate and unite the members?

As mentioned earlier, we operate an open institute where not only operational staff but also all teachers and learners participate in operations. Nevertheless, operational staff plays the most crucial role in operating KSI. To alleviate the workload of operational staff, we adjusted and increased the salary system, so they can have a sense of passion for work. Additionally, by organizing the operation team with a leader and two operating staff members, operation became more stable. We conduct school workshops twice a year to strengthen the bonds among school members. In addition to regular monthly meetings, we gather feedback from teachers and operating staff, incorporating them into operations within the permissible scope.

Can you tell us about your plans for 2024, and your future vision for KSI Bishkek?

Since its establishment in 2013, a decade letter in 2023 we have experienced a year where our location has carried out the most projects and exposed the highest number of learners to Korean language and culture. In the year 2024, we promise to strive for an even better KSI. Looking beyond the ten years we have journeyed, we are now preparing for the next decade, aiming to establish KSI Bishkek as a leading institution in promoting Korean culture – transforming from 'a small Korea within Kyrgyzstan' to a 'KSI that is real Korean.’ If our focus in the past was on promoting Korea, our emphasis from now on will be on being Korean, promoting Hangeul, and promoting KSI in operating KSI Bishkek. We hope that, through KSI Bishkek, many learners will achieve their dreams with Korean language and culture. Thank you!

KSI Bishkek Instagram

KSI Bishkek Youtube