Local Educators from 44 Countries Learn K-Education and Expand Korean-Language Education at Home

Ministry of Education and International Korean Education Foundation host the 24th International Conference of Korean Educators Abroad

Minister of Education commendations for 5 school leaders and teachers who helped expand Korean-language education abroad, including the adoption of Korean in Bulgaria's public education system and as a required subject at a New York public school

A total of 117 education administrators and other participants from 44 countries learn about major education policies of the People's Sovereignty Government and leading Korean examples of artificial intelligence education, and share their countries' efforts to promote Korean-language education

【Related national task】 99-4. Establish a system for developing global artificial intelligence (AI) talent

The Ministry of Education, led by Minister Choi Kyo-jin, and the International Korean Education Foundation, chaired by Lim Young-dam, will hold a celebratory event for the 24th International Conference of Korean Educators Abroad at Sarangjae in the National Assembly complex in Yeouido on Thursday, July 2, and present Minister of Education commendations to 5 people who have contributed to promoting the Korean language in their local communities abroad.

The five recipients of the Minister of Education commendation include ▴Asya Antova, senior teacher at Bulgaria's 18th Secondary School “William Gladstone”*, ▴Katelyn Derry, principal of Democracy Prep High School in the United States, and ▴Melba Beltran, dean at the National University of Colombia*. All 5 educators were selected for their contributions to advancing Korean-language education within their local public education systems.

* Played a leading role in opening Korean-language classes, developing Bulgaria's national Korean-language curriculum for elementary, middle and high schools, and having Korean reflected in local university admissions

** Adopted Korean as a required 3-year subject for all students and expanded international exchange programs with Korea

*** Founded the Colombian Association for Korean Studies, established a Korean-language department at the National University of Colombia, and contributed to the adoption of Korean as a regular subject in middle and high schools

The International Conference of Korean Educators Abroad, hosted by the Ministry of Education and organized by the International Korean Education Foundation, has been held every year since 2003 for local educators involved in Korean-language education and related policy in their respective countries. It is designed to deepen overseas Korean-language education professionals' understanding of Korean-language education policy, Korea and Korean culture, and to promote the expansion of Korean-language education abroad.

This year's conference, themed “Korean-Language Education in the Age of Artificial Intelligence,” runs for 4 nights and 5 days from Monday, June 29, through Friday, July 3, with 117 participants from 44 countries. They include 70 education administrators and school leaders from organizations such as Thailand's Office of the Basic Education Commission, Vietnam's Ministry of Education and Training, Uzbekistan's Ministry of Preschool and School Education and India's Delhi Directorate of Education, along with 47 local teachers.

Participants discussed their countries' conditions for artificial intelligence education and strategies for using AI in Korean-language classes. They also visited the Jemulpo Artificial Intelligence Convergence Education Center in Incheon to observe Korea's AI education in practice. In addition, they visited the Ministry of Education for a briefing on the People's Sovereignty Government's major education policies and took part in a question-and-answer and discussion session on Korean education policy.

Minister of Education Choi Kyo-jin said, “The interest and efforts of local education professionals overseas are extremely important to expanding Korean-language education.” He added, “We will further strengthen the foundation for expanding Korean-language education by raising awareness of Korea and the Korean language in each country and honoring local educators who have contributed to promoting Korean overseas.”