| America

• UCLA Center for Korean Studies and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles Host Presentation and Discussion on Korean Language Education in North America
On November 8, the UCLA Center for Korean Studies and the Consulate General of the Republic of Korea in Los Angeles hosted the Presentation and Discussion on Korean Language Education in North America at UCLA. The forum featured presentations by experts in Korean language education in North America, along with discussions on practical educational strategies such as standards-based learning and dual enrollment programs. Through this event, participants explored directions for Korean language education from kindergarten through high school in North America, as well as sustainable learning pathways.


• Plans Underway to Establish “Hangeul Museum” in New York as Multifunctional Cultural Space to Promote Value of Hangeul
On November 10, Kim Kyung-Hwa, Chair of the New York Hangeul Museum Promotion Committee, stated in an interview with Yonhap News that the initiative aims to share the scientific excellence of Hangeul and pride in Korean culture with the world. The New York Hangeul Museum Promotion Committee was launched on September 15 with 12 members. Led by Chair Kim Kyung-Hwa, it also includes Kim Seul-ong, the director of the Sejong Institute of Korean Language and Culture; Choi Hong-sik, the chair of the King Sejong Memorial Foundation; Hwang Jong-hwan, a former chair of the Korea Intellectual Property Foundation; and Son Hee-jung, a professor at Stony Brook University. The committee is working to establish the Hangeul Museum not merely as an exhibition space, but as a multifunctional cultural complex integrating performances, special exhibitions, and educational programs.


• U.S. Mobile Learning Platform Duolingo Announces Korean World’s Sixth Most Studied Language
On December 1, the U.S.-based mobile learning platform Duolingo released its “2025 Language Report,” announcing that Korean is the sixth most studied language worldwide. According to the report, Korean could previously only be learned by users whose primary language was English, Japanese, or Chinese. However, Korean’s global ranking rose as Duolingo expanded its language offerings to allow learners from a wider range of native languages to study it. The growth of Korean has been particularly notable in Argentina, Colombia, France, Germany, Mexico, Spain, and Poland, where it was recorded as the second fastest-growing language.

Assessing the Achievements and Challenges of Hangeul Schools in 12 South American Countries Through Voices from the Field
On November 26, the Global Hangeul Schools Future Forum, in collaboration with the Paper Culture Foundation and the World Association of Origami, held its 15th presentation conference at the Paper Art Museum in Jung-gu, Seoul. The conference was organized to comprehensively review identity education at Hangeul schools in 12 South American countries, including Brazil and Chile, as well as efforts to expand K-culture and enhance the image of Koreans, and to reflect voices from the field in policies and educational programs. A keynote lecture was delivered in Part 1 under the theme “The Role and Challenges of Hangeul Schools,” followed by thematic presentations in Part 2 addressing current issues facing Hangeul schools in South America. After the presentations, a Q&A session moderated by Choi In-sook, the chief editorial writer at the Gyeonggi Newspaper, provided an opportunity to discuss concerns from educational sites and related policy needs.

| Europe

Saint Petersburg State University Hosts International Korean Studies Conference
From December 11 to 12, Saint Petersburg State University held an international Korean studies conference under the theme “Changing Korean Culture, Identity, and Values.” The conference attracted researchers from various countries, including Russia, Korea, India, and Malaysia, and featured discussions on a wide range of topics, such as historical memory, contemporary literature and art, urbanization, digitalization, and the international experiences of overseas Koreans. It was conducted in a hybrid format, combining in-person and online sessions, so anyone interested in Korea could participate freely.

Composer Kim Hyeong-seok to Publish Children’s Songbook for Korean Language Education with University of Oxford
On December 8, renowned Korean composer Kim Hyeong-seok announced plans to publish a children’s songbook for Korean language education in collaboration with the research team led by Professor Jieun Kiaer of the Faculty of Asian and Middle Eastern Studies at the University of Oxford. Song selection and translation will be handled jointly by composer Kim and the research team. The songbook will feature 50 carefully selected traditional Korean children’s songs presented in both Hangeul and English. While preparing the songbook, Kim Hyeong-seok also plans to teach Korean children’s songs directly to British youth at the opening event of the Schwarzman Humanities and Arts Centre at Oxford in the first half of next year.

| Sources

(United States) https://www.international.ucla.edu/
(United States) Yonhap News
(United States) https://blog.duolingo.com/
(Latin America) Yonhap News
(Russia) https://spb.hse.ru/
(United Kingdom) Financial News