The Korean Foundation said Tuesday it will host a special lecture series on Korean studies in Kazakhstan to promote understanding and fuel local interest in South Korea.

The four-day lectures will run from Tuesday through Friday as part of Seoul's diplomatic efforts to promote one of its main strategy goals, which is the realization of its "Eurasia Initiative," according to the foundation affiliated with South Korea's Foreign Ministry.

The Eurasia Initiative is a key part of South Korea's foreign policy agenda under which countries in Asia and Europe can draw closer together through increased economic cooperation. This close knit bond could help promote peace in this part of the world.

Government officials also said the initiative is also aimed at establishing a basis for Korean unification by encouraging North Korea to open itself to reforms. 

The first lecture will be held in Astana, the administrative capital of Kazakhstan, at the Administrative Academy and Nazarbayev University. 

It will then be held in Almaty on Thursday at the Kazakhstan University of International Relations and World Languages. On Friday, the lecture will be held at Kazakh National University.

Almaty is Kazakhstan's largest metropolis and its scientific, educational, cultural, economic and financial hub.

A foundation official said the lecture will provide opportunities for Kazakhs to get a sense of South Korea that can lead to more interest down the line.

Starting in Mexico from 2004, the foundation has held Korean study lectures every year in Central and South America, Africa and the Middle East.

Last year, the lecture expanded to the other countries in the group called "MIKTA" -- Mexico, Australia, Indonesia and Turkey.

South Korea is also part of MIKTA.

The Korean Foundation, a leading organization of South Korea's international exchange and public diplomacy initiatives, has endeavored to set up 119 professorships at major overseas higher educational institutions and given support to thousands of people involved in the area of Korean studies. (Yonhap)