KF expands Korean Studies education in Latin America

The Korea Foundation (KF) is launching a new initiative to expand online Korean Studies education across five Latin American countries.

Through a Korean Studies consortium comprising six universities in five countries — the Central University of Chile, Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, National University of La Plata in Argentina, Simón Bolívar Andean University in Ecuador, and National University of Colombia and Metropolitan Technological Institute in Colombia — the initiative will offer live online Korean Studies courses that count toward students' regular academic credits.

The program will officially launch with an inaugural ceremony at the Central University of Chile on Aug. 12.

A total of six Korean Studies courses will be offered, covering topics such as the development of Korean democracy, economic policies and industrial innovation, Korean history and contemporary society, Korean literature and translation, global cultural exchange and sociocultural perspectives on Korea.

KF said the consortium will serve as a platform for expanding cooperation with universities across the Global South, including in Latin America. Through the initiative, the foundation aims to strengthen academically based public diplomacy, deepen understanding of Korea and foster a more balanced global ecosystem for Korean Studies education.

“Recent large-scale gatherings in Mexico City's Zócalo Square surrounding BTS-related events demonstrate the strong interest that younger generations in Latin America have in Korea,” said Song Gui-do, president of KF.

“KF will continue to serve as an academic bridge so that interest in Korea generated through K-pop and Korean cultural content can develop into systematic Korean Studies education and research at local universities.”

BY YOON SEUNG-JIN [[email protected]]