Professor Song Hyang-keun of Busan University of Foreign Studies on Thursday was appointed the chief of the Sejong Hakdang Foundation, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism announced on the day.
The newly established foundation will inherit the works and personnel of the International Korean Language Foundation that overlooked the general management of Sejong Hakdang, or institute in Korean, including the development of textbooks, curriculum and teacher training on Korean language education.
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In this file photo Song Hyang-keun, chief of Sejong Hakdang Foundation, stands beside the wall engraved with texts from “Huminjeongeum,” King Sejong’s book introducing Hangeul, at the National Institute of the Korean Language in Banghwa-dong, Seoul. The institute was transformed into a foundation following a legal revision. (Lee Sang-sub/The Korea Herald) |
Sejong Hakdang was founded in 2009 and currently has more than 9,000 students enrolled in 76 branches around the world. It was initially aimed at teaching the Korean language to Koreans living overseas but has quickly attracted foreigners wanting to learn about Korea and its culture. The number of non-Korean students has soared rapidly thanks to hallyu, the Korean pop culture wave, the ministry said.
Song graduated from Korea University and has devoted most of his career to Korean language education. The ministry said he had systemized Korean language teacher training and contributed to relevant policies. Song has previously served as the president of the IKLF.
By Bae Ji-sook (
baejisook@heraldcorp.com)
