Latest Korean Language News Delivered by KSI Correspondents
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작성일 2026-04-16
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Latest Korean Language News Delivered
by KSI Correspondents
by KSI Correspondents
| Asia
Vietnam HUST Introduces New Korean Language in Science and Technology Major
On February 25, Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) announced its 2026 academic year admissions plan, which includes five new majors: Korean Language in Science and Technology, Cosmetic Chemistry, Accounting, Computer Science for Intelligent Systems, and Industrial and Organizational Psychology. These are part of a total of 68 academic programs for which the university plans to accept 9,880 students. The Korean Language in Science and Technology major is the first Korean language-related program at Vietnam’s premier technical university. Combining Korean language education with science and technology, it is being hailed as a milestone in the development of Korean language education in Vietnam.
On February 25, Hanoi University of Science and Technology (HUST) announced its 2026 academic year admissions plan, which includes five new majors: Korean Language in Science and Technology, Cosmetic Chemistry, Accounting, Computer Science for Intelligent Systems, and Industrial and Organizational Psychology. These are part of a total of 68 academic programs for which the university plans to accept 9,880 students. The Korean Language in Science and Technology major is the first Korean language-related program at Vietnam’s premier technical university. Combining Korean language education with science and technology, it is being hailed as a milestone in the development of Korean language education in Vietnam.
India 2026 India Literary Tour Featuring Korean Authors
From February 14, 2026, the literary community Ink and Quill Collective, in collaboration with the Literature Translation Institute of Korea, conducted a 10-day India Literary Tour to promote literary exchange between India and Korea. The tour covered major cities including Mumbai, Dibrugarh, Imphal, Guwahati, and Delhi, bringing together Korean and Indian writers for intellectual and cultural exchanges. Participating Korean authors included Shin Kyung-sook, Jeong You-jeong, and Kim Sung-il, while the Indian contingent featured Banu Mushtaq, winner of the 2025 International Booker Prize for the short story collection Heart Lamp, as well as Shanta Gokhale and Jeet Thayil. The tour featured discussions and dialogues centered on translated Korean literature and literature in regional Indian languages, and booths were set up for book sales, artwork, and culinary showcases from both countries, allowing attendees to experience each other’s culture firsthand.
From February 14, 2026, the literary community Ink and Quill Collective, in collaboration with the Literature Translation Institute of Korea, conducted a 10-day India Literary Tour to promote literary exchange between India and Korea. The tour covered major cities including Mumbai, Dibrugarh, Imphal, Guwahati, and Delhi, bringing together Korean and Indian writers for intellectual and cultural exchanges. Participating Korean authors included Shin Kyung-sook, Jeong You-jeong, and Kim Sung-il, while the Indian contingent featured Banu Mushtaq, winner of the 2025 International Booker Prize for the short story collection Heart Lamp, as well as Shanta Gokhale and Jeet Thayil. The tour featured discussions and dialogues centered on translated Korean literature and literature in regional Indian languages, and booths were set up for book sales, artwork, and culinary showcases from both countries, allowing attendees to experience each other’s culture firsthand.
Philippines Federation of Korean Associations in the Philippines Runs Korean Language Program for Local Police
On February 19, the Federation of Korean Associations in the Philippines conducted a Korean language education program for 120 local police officers, including staff from the Korean Help Desk. The primary objective of this initiative was to bolster the communication capabilities of front-line officers and personnel in order to improve both the accuracy and speed of their responses to incidents involving Korean nationals. It is particularly significant as a follow-up measure to institutionally reinforce the effectiveness of the Korean Help Desk, which was launched in August of last year.
* The Korean Help Desk serves as a dedicated response channel for Korean nationals affected by serious crimes, fraud, kidnapping, and other incidents, and handles everything from initial reporting through investigation coordination and embassy liaison.
On February 19, the Federation of Korean Associations in the Philippines conducted a Korean language education program for 120 local police officers, including staff from the Korean Help Desk. The primary objective of this initiative was to bolster the communication capabilities of front-line officers and personnel in order to improve both the accuracy and speed of their responses to incidents involving Korean nationals. It is particularly significant as a follow-up measure to institutionally reinforce the effectiveness of the Korean Help Desk, which was launched in August of last year.
* The Korean Help Desk serves as a dedicated response channel for Korean nationals affected by serious crimes, fraud, kidnapping, and other incidents, and handles everything from initial reporting through investigation coordination and embassy liaison.
MOU to Strengthen Korean Language Education
On March 3, the Korean Ministry of Education and the Philippine Department of Education signed an MOU to strengthen support for Korean language education in the Philippines, agreeing to expand Korean language programs with a focus on enhancing the capabilities of local Korean language teachers. The MOU was concluded on the occasion of the Korea-Philippines summit marking the 77th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. It also updates the Student Professional Foreign Languages* program, which was introduced through an MOU signed in 2017, with the aim of broadening career opportunities for Filipino students.
* A program designed to help Filipino students develop cultural awareness and language skills to prepare them for successful international careers.
On March 3, the Korean Ministry of Education and the Philippine Department of Education signed an MOU to strengthen support for Korean language education in the Philippines, agreeing to expand Korean language programs with a focus on enhancing the capabilities of local Korean language teachers. The MOU was concluded on the occasion of the Korea-Philippines summit marking the 77th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between the two countries. It also updates the Student Professional Foreign Languages* program, which was introduced through an MOU signed in 2017, with the aim of broadening career opportunities for Filipino students.
* A program designed to help Filipino students develop cultural awareness and language skills to prepare them for successful international careers.
| Europe
United Kingdom University of Sheffield Centre for Korean Studies Hosts International Conference
On March 26, the University of Sheffield’s Centre for Korean Studies (CKS) held a two-day international conference on the theme of “Korea’s Future: Society, Sustainability, and Transformation.” The event explored future policies and social change across the full spectrum of Korean studies, extending well beyond Korean language education. Day one (March 26) covered topics including aging society; family, home and daily life; and geopolitics and foreign policy. Day two (March 27) focused on Hallyu (Korean Wave) and popular culture; AI and digital technology; and martial law, democracy, and governance. Established in 1979, the CKS is a leading hub for Korean studies research and education in the UK. It fosters exchange among experts in the UK and abroad through events such as this conference and provides students with high-quality educational opportunities.
On March 26, the University of Sheffield’s Centre for Korean Studies (CKS) held a two-day international conference on the theme of “Korea’s Future: Society, Sustainability, and Transformation.” The event explored future policies and social change across the full spectrum of Korean studies, extending well beyond Korean language education. Day one (March 26) covered topics including aging society; family, home and daily life; and geopolitics and foreign policy. Day two (March 27) focused on Hallyu (Korean Wave) and popular culture; AI and digital technology; and martial law, democracy, and governance. Established in 1979, the CKS is a leading hub for Korean studies research and education in the UK. It fosters exchange among experts in the UK and abroad through events such as this conference and provides students with high-quality educational opportunities.
France Curtain Rises on Cultural Festivities Marking 140 Years of Korea-France Relations
On March 5, the Embassy of France in Korea held a conference previewing a special cultural season to celebrate the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and France. The event opened with remarks from French Ambassador to Korea Philippe Bertoux, and was hosted by Cultural Counselor Pierre Morcos. Major events scheduled in both Korea and France throughout the year were announced. Highlights include a special exhibition at the Musée national des Arts asiatiques – Guimet showcasing Korean culture, and performances on May 23 as part of the European Night of Museums, which features modern dance, traditional music, and fusion performances at major museums and galleries across Paris. With over 100 Korea-related events planned across France this year and K-content drawing renewed attention, K-webtoons are gaining significant traction in the French publishing market. Naver Webtoon, which is participating in the French popular culture festival Amazing Festival for the third consecutive year, is supporting the local creator ecosystem through its Canvas program and competitions for French artists. Meanwhile, Kakao Page’s webtoon Solo Leveling, which has accumulated over 14.3 billion views worldwide, was published in book form by French publisher Delcourt and has sold over 2.5 million copies. K-webtoons are gaining a dedicated fanbase in France as an independent genre, rather than a sub-genre of BD (bande dessinée), the traditional French comics format.
On March 5, the Embassy of France in Korea held a conference previewing a special cultural season to celebrate the 140th anniversary of diplomatic ties between Korea and France. The event opened with remarks from French Ambassador to Korea Philippe Bertoux, and was hosted by Cultural Counselor Pierre Morcos. Major events scheduled in both Korea and France throughout the year were announced. Highlights include a special exhibition at the Musée national des Arts asiatiques – Guimet showcasing Korean culture, and performances on May 23 as part of the European Night of Museums, which features modern dance, traditional music, and fusion performances at major museums and galleries across Paris. With over 100 Korea-related events planned across France this year and K-content drawing renewed attention, K-webtoons are gaining significant traction in the French publishing market. Naver Webtoon, which is participating in the French popular culture festival Amazing Festival for the third consecutive year, is supporting the local creator ecosystem through its Canvas program and competitions for French artists. Meanwhile, Kakao Page’s webtoon Solo Leveling, which has accumulated over 14.3 billion views worldwide, was published in book form by French publisher Delcourt and has sold over 2.5 million copies. K-webtoons are gaining a dedicated fanbase in France as an independent genre, rather than a sub-genre of BD (bande dessinée), the traditional French comics format.
| Americas
United States Taylor ISD Considers Introducing Korean as a Second Foreign Language
On March 8, news reports highlighted an exchange program with Daeyeong High School in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Korea, held as the Taylor Independent School District (ISD) considers offering Korean as a second foreign language. In the program, ten Korean and ten local students were paired to attend classes together and share cultural experiences. The initiative was motivated by Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor plant in the area, which has attracted a significant influx of Korean companies and workers, making Korean language proficiency an increasingly valuable skill for the students’ future. Based on insights gained from this exchange, Taylor ISD plans to develop a roadmap for establishing Korean as a formal curricular subject.
On March 8, news reports highlighted an exchange program with Daeyeong High School in Yeongju, North Gyeongsang Province, Korea, held as the Taylor Independent School District (ISD) considers offering Korean as a second foreign language. In the program, ten Korean and ten local students were paired to attend classes together and share cultural experiences. The initiative was motivated by Samsung Electronics’ semiconductor plant in the area, which has attracted a significant influx of Korean companies and workers, making Korean language proficiency an increasingly valuable skill for the students’ future. Based on insights gained from this exchange, Taylor ISD plans to develop a roadmap for establishing Korean as a formal curricular subject.
| Sources
(Vietnam) https://laodong.vn/
(India) https://www.sentinelassam.com/
(Philippines) Overseas Koreans Newspaper
(Philippines) https://www.philstar.com/
(UK) https://sheffield.ac.uk/
(France) Embassy of France in Korea and Money Today
(USA) YTN Global Korean
(India) https://www.sentinelassam.com/
(Philippines) Overseas Koreans Newspaper
(Philippines) https://www.philstar.com/
(UK) https://sheffield.ac.uk/
(France) Embassy of France in Korea and Money Today
(USA) YTN Global Korean
