Foreigners who study the Korean language in
their home countries are in Seoul to celebrate
Hangeul Day，... which is today.
The week－long program will take them to
cultural sites in around Korea... and give
them a chance to experience Korean food and
music.
Kim Min－ji reports.
To experience a bit of Korean culture，...
this group of foreigners is learning the basic
patterns of the martial art taekwondo.
Not only are they taking the class in Korea，...
the language they speak in class is Korean.
″I′ve watched Korean TV dramas since I
was in high school.
I have been interested in Korean culture and
music since then.″
The participants are the top students at the
King Sejong Institute， a Korean language
school with branches all over the world，
and they′re in the country for a week－long
cultural program after winning selection in
their home countries.
The program，... hosted by the culture ministry，
the King Sejong Institute Foundation and Arirang
TV，... is being held to coincide with Hangeul
Day， which falls on Friday and celebrates
the Korean alphabet.
″We have invited the top students studying
Korean at our institutes around the world
to give them the opportunity to experience
Korean culture and allow them to use the Korean
they′ve learned.″
One of the main events on the program was
a Korean speech contest that took place Wednesday.
After going through the preliminary rounds
in their home countries，... thirteen students
made it to the final round and were given
an opportunity to show off their Korean language
skills.
The competition was intense， and the contestants
spoke on a range of topics from their dreams...
to what they like about Korean culture.
″I want to make everyone happy and contribute
to the cultural exchange between China and
Korea.″
″During the week－long program，... the
group will also visit cultural sites in Korea，...
where they will have the chance to learn about
Korean history， sample the cuisine and try
their hand at traditional games.″
″I am learning Korean dance right now.
I would also like to try out Korean folk games.″
Program organizers hope that... not only will
the participants be able to brush up on their
Korean language skills during their stay，...
they will have the opportunity to discover
Korea for themselves，... with the hope that
the experience will strengthen their love
for， and interest in， Korea and its culture.
Kim Min－ji， Arirang News.
