Sunchon National University (President Lee Byung-Woon) has been finally selected for the '2025 King Sejong Institute New Establishment Open Call,' organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the King Sejong Institute Foundation. This opens a new chapter for the dissemination of Korean language and culture in the Philippines. Sunchon National University plans to establish and co-operate a King Sejong Institute in Muñoz City, in collaboration with its local operating partner, Central Luzon State University (CLSU) in the Philippines. This year's open call saw a record-high competition ratio of approximately 8.5:1, with 94 institutions from 43 countries applying. Among them, 11 locations in 9 countries, including Sunchon National University, were ultimately selected.
The King Sejong Institute is a public institution under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism that oversees Korean language education and cultural dissemination projects abroad. It plays a pivotal role in meeting the global demand for Korean language learning and enhancing understanding of Korean culture. Several King Sejong Institutes, including the Korean Cultural Center King Sejong Institute, are already operating in the Philippines. The establishment of this new King Sejong Institute by Sunchon National University is expected to further accelerate the spread of Korean language education and culture in the Philippines.
To secure this King Sejong Institute, Sunchon National University underwent thorough preparations, including signing a Memorandum of Understanding with Central Luzon State University earlier this year and preemptively completing on-site surveys and educational environment inspections. These efforts are seen as the culmination of Sunchon National University's accumulated Korean language education capabilities, international exchange infrastructure, and particularly its cooperation network in Southeast Asia.
The Muñoz King Sejong Institute will go beyond simply offering regular Korean language courses. It will provide various customized programs tailored to local needs, such as Korean cultural experiences, exchange student programs, and joint research. Through this, Muñoz City in the Philippines is expected to become a core hub for the spread of Korean language and culture in Southeast Asia. Furthermore, Sunchon National University has systematically strengthened its internationalization foundation through the 'Glocal University 30' project and the operation of its Korean Language Institute. It has also maintained cooperation with Central Luzon State University based on its strengths in agriculture and life sciences. In particular, its long-standing exchange experience with agricultural research institutions under the Philippine Department of Agriculture served as an important basis for this joint operation.
Sunchon National University announced that it will commence pilot operation of the King Sejong Institute starting with an opening ceremony next month, in August 2025, and plans to officially begin regular operations in 2026. Seo Kang-Seok, Director of the Office of International Affairs and Education, stated, "The selection of this King Sejong Institute is a result of Sunchon National University's internationalization foundation and Korean language education expertise being recognized externally. We will faithfully operate educational programs to meet the demand for Korean language learning in the Philippines and become a central hub for the spread of Korean culture in Southeast Asia."
The establishment of this King Sejong Institute is expected to serve as an important bridge for Sunchon National University to present an innovative educational model connecting the region with the world as a Glocal University, while also disseminating K-culture and excellent Korean agricultural technology to the Philippines.
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