A remarkable Korean language surge has swept across overseas schools in recent years. The number of institutions offering Korean classes reached 2,777 by the end of 2025. This figure represents a 54 percent increase from 1,806 schools recorded in 2021. Consequently, this Korean language surge reflects growing global interest in Korean culture and studying in Korea. Education Ministry data submitted to Rep. Kim Moon-soo revealed these figures on Sunday.
The numbers have risen annually without exception throughout this period. Specifically, 1,928 schools operated Korean programs in 2022, followed by 2,154 in 2023. Furthermore, the total climbed to 2,526 schools in 2024. Therefore, this Korean language surge shows consistent momentum year after year. The data covers overseas primary and secondary schools offering Korean either as part of regular curricula or through after-school programs. Korean education centers and overseas diplomatic missions compile these statistics.
Student enrollment has also grown impressively during this Korean language surge. The number of elementary, middle, and high school students learning Korean jumped from 170,563 in 2021 to 236,089 in 2025. Additionally, the number of countries with schools offering Korean language education rose from 42 to 47 over four years. Uzbekistan saw the largest increase with 68 additional schools introducing Korean programs. Sri Lanka followed closely with 43 new schools during the same period. Vietnam added 37 schools, the Philippines added 26, and Brazil added 24. The United States also saw 21 new schools offering Korean classes.
However, some countries still have very limited Korean offerings. The Czech Republic, Italy, Norway, Georgia, Ethiopia, Moldova, and Turkmenistan each have only one school teaching Korean. Education Minister Choi Kyo-jin pledged expanded support for Korean-language education during his visits to Vietnam and the Philippines in March. Both countries have shown strong interest in Korean culture and high demand for language education. Consequently, the ministry cited the global spread of Korean culture and increasing interest in studying in Korea as key factors behind the rise. Government-backed support measures have also contributed significantly. These include financial assistance for program operations, textbook distribution, and teacher training initiatives for local educators.
Rep. Kim Moon-soo echoed that the global popularity of Korean culture and continued government support fueled the uptick in Korean-language programs abroad. The government already funds Korean-language education in overseas primary and secondary schools through a dedicated program. Although the budget saw a slight cut in 2025, it increased again this year. Rep. Kim emphasized that continued support will remain necessary for sustaining this Korean language surge. Looking ahead, the Ministry of Education plans to further expand its promotional initiatives and educational partnerships. Korean education centers overseas will spearhead these efforts to reach more countries. The upward trend shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
