Korean-language learners from 30 countries gather in Korea for cultural exchange

More than 90 Korean-language learners and teachers from 30 countries arrived in South Korea on Friday for a five-day program combining language study and cultural experiences, the Education Ministry said Tuesday.

The 92-person delegation, comprising middle and high school students studying Korean in their home countries and accompanying teachers, participated in the 2026 International Korean Education Youth Camp, hosted by the Education Ministry and organized by the International Korean Education Foundation.

During their stay, the students attended AI-assisted Korean-language classes tailored to their proficiency levels, visited landmarks including Gyeongbokgung, and sampled Korean cuisine.

They also explored Korean literature through a presentation contest, in which participants recited literary works and shared their interpretations.

Three students received Education Minister's Awards for outstanding performances: Vietnam's Phung Khanh Linh in the fiction and essay category, Sri Lanka's Siriwardena Chanthuki Thathyana in the intermediate poetry category, and Indonesia's Prasista Zharafah Mulia in the beginner poetry category.

Siriwardena, who recited poet Hwang Ji-u's "While Waiting for You," said the person she was waiting for in the poem represented Korea. She added that rather than simply waiting for her dreams to come true, she would actively seek out opportunities to achieve them.

The students also rehearsed excerpts from “Sejong 1446,” a musical depicting King Sejong’s creation of Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, and learned the program’s theme song.

The ministry is set to hold a ceremony at the National Assembly on Tuesday evening, where students will perform excerpts from the musical and take part in a K-pop competition.

Launched in 2019 to promote youth exchanges with ASEAN countries, the program expanded in 2022 to include Korean-language students from around the world.

Education Minister Choi Kyo-jin said the experience of meeting peers from different countries in Korea would motivate participants to continue learning the language.

“I hope this program will help Korean-language students around the world grow into globally minded individuals with lasting connections to Korea,” Choi said.