“We Will Connect the World Through Language and Culture.” Appointment and Inauguration Ceremony of Jeon Woo-yong, New President of the KSIF
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작성일 2026-05-27
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“We Will Connect the World Through Language and Culture.”
Appointment and Inauguration Ceremony of
Jeon Woo-yong, New President of the KSIF
Jeon Woo-yong, New President of the KSIF
> Appointment certificate presented at National Museum of Modern and Contemporary Art in Seoul on April 9
> Official duties commenced with inauguration ceremony attended by all KSIF staff
> Expectations raised for wider promotion of historical and cultural significance of Korean, beyond its linguistic value
Historian Jeon Woo-yong has officially assumed office as the fourth president of the King Sejong Institute Foundation (KSIF), and has presented a new vision for the global dissemination of the Korean language and Korean culture. On April 9, the KSIF marked a new chapter in its operations with an appointment and inauguration ceremony. President Jeon received his appointment certificate from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, followed by an inauguration ceremony attended by all KSIF staff to officially mark the beginning of his term.
Choi Hwi-yeong, the minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, expressed high expectations for the new president, stating, “For global audiences enthusiastic about K-Culture, we expect President Jeon to significantly strengthen the role of KSIs by promoting not only the linguistic value of the Korean language, which is the root of our culture, but also its profound historical and cultural significance.”
Choi Hwi-yeong, the minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism, expressed high expectations for the new president, stating, “For global audiences enthusiastic about K-Culture, we expect President Jeon to significantly strengthen the role of KSIs by promoting not only the linguistic value of the Korean language, which is the root of our culture, but also its profound historical and cultural significance.”
The appointment ceremony for the new president of the KSIF, held at the National Museum of Modern and
Contemporary Art, Seoul. (From left) Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-yeong and newly
appointed President Jeon Woo-yong (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)
Contemporary Art, Seoul. (From left) Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Choi Hwi-yeong and newly
appointed President Jeon Woo-yong (Photo courtesy of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism)
President Jeon Woo-yong earned his Ph.D. in Korean History from Seoul National University. He has served as a research fellow at the Institute of Seoul Studies at the University of Seoul, a research professor at the East Asian Culture Research Institute at Hanyang University, and a visiting professor at the Academy of Korean Studies. Through his writings, lectures, and media appearances, he has actively communicated Korean history and culture to the public. His lifelong research into Korean life and culture makes him an ideal leader to expand the role of the KSIF by promoting not only the linguistic value of Korean, but also its historical and cultural significance around the world.
President Jeon Woo-yong receiving a congratulatory
bouquet from a staff representative at the inauguration
ceremony held at the KSIF
bouquet from a staff representative at the inauguration
ceremony held at the KSIF
President Jeon Woo-yong delivering
his inaugural address
his inaugural address
In his inaugural address, President Jeon called Hangeul “the source of the power that built modern Korea.” He recalled a deeply moving experience of encountering the Hunminjeongeum Haerye, describing how “his heart responded first, and his mind interpreted afterward.” He explained that Hangeul sustained the cultural pride of Koreans during the colonial era and, following liberation, became a driving force that helped rebuild national culture, foster social unity, and promote economic growth. He also noted that the collective intelligence fostered by Hangeul played a crucial role in overcoming the dictatorship and poverty.
President Jeon highlighted Korea’s unique experience of overcoming its colonial history to achieve both democracy and economic development. He stressed that, as a nation that endured colonial oppression but nevertheless succeeded in building both a democratic society and a strong economy, South Korea has a responsibility to share its experiences and values with the world.
He also stated, “We must share more than just our language with the global community. We must also convey the decolonial values of peace and human equality embedded within our language and culture.” Going forward, the KSIF plans to not only enhance the quality of Korean language education, but also to make further efforts to share the values and meaning embedded within Korean culture with the global community.
He also stated, “We must share more than just our language with the global community. We must also convey the decolonial values of peace and human equality embedded within our language and culture.” Going forward, the KSIF plans to not only enhance the quality of Korean language education, but also to make further efforts to share the values and meaning embedded within Korean culture with the global community.
