In a move to support the growing global interest in Korean language and culture, the Seoul Metropolitan Office of Education announced Monday that it will provide access to Korean e-books to 26 Korean education centers abroad, including in Japan, the United States, and several across Europe.
This initiative marks the first time a regional education office in South Korea has launched an overseas e-book support program for Korean language learners. It comes in response to the surging demand for Korean language education fueled by the global popularity of Korean cultural content.
Previously, the Seoul Office of Education supported Korean education abroad by distributing physical Korean-language books to overseas institutions. However, logistical and budgetary constraints limited the scope of such support.
A Seoul education official said the initiative aims to “enhance the Korean learning environment for overseas Koreans and international students while strengthening the global presence of the Korean language and culture.”
Through this program, Korean education centers will be connected to the Seoul Digital Library’s subscription-based platform, giving overseas learners access to some 140,000 Korean e-books and audiobooks. This collection includes around 9,000 titles specifically tailored for children and adolescents.
jychoi@heraldcorp.com
