International students attend an opening ceremony for the 2026 Korean language program at Keimyung University's Korean Language Institute in Daegu on April 1. The institute welcomed 1,414 students from 33 countries.NEWS1
The number of schools overseas teaching Korean increased by 54 percent over the last four years, partly reflecting the growing popularity of Korean culture, a lawmaker said Sunday, citing Ministry of Education data.
As of the end of last year, there were 2,777 elementary, middle and high schools overseas offering Korean language classes, up 9.9 percent from 2024, according to Rep. Kim Moon-soo of the ruling Democratic Party.
The number grew every year from 1,806 in 2021 to 1,928 in 2022, 2,154 in 2023 and 2,526 in 2024, he said. During the four-year period, the number of students taking Korean classes at these schools rose 38 percent to 236,089.
The education ministry attributed the increase to the influence of Korean culture, growing demand to study in Korea, and the government's financial support for Korean classes, textbooks and teaching staff.
Schools in 47 countries offered Korean language classes last year, up from 42 in 2021. From 2024 to 2025, 68 schools were added in Uzbekistan alone, followed by 43 in Sri Lanka, 37 in Vietnam and 26 in the Philippines.
![International students attend an opening ceremony for the 2026 Korean language program at Keimyung University's Korean Language Institute in Daegu on April 1. The institute welcomed 1,414 students from 33 countries. [NEWS1]](https://image.koreajoongangdaily.com/12616850.webp?imageId=12616850&width=960&height=642&format=jpg)
