By Maibam Verona
Imphal, Aug 5:
King Sejong Institute (KSI), a center for learning Korean language and culture which is directly managed by the Korean Cultural Centre India has been inaugurated through video conferencing at Dhanamanjuri University , Imphal on Tuesday
The inaugural function was attended by Choi Jongho, Minister, Embassy of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of India, M. Harekrishna, IAS, Vice Chancellor of Dhanamanjuri University (DMU) and Kim Kumpyoung, Director of Korean Cultural Centre India (KCCI).
Speaking on the occasion Kim Kumpyoung, Director, KCCI, encouraged students to study earnestly to be able to catch the study and job opportunities KSI provides.
“Only students who are willing to bend down, get through thousands of negative reasons will jump up,” Director Kim said.
Teacher Park Minjae, the Operating Personnel of King Sejong Institute, Imphal addressed the audience on the establishment of King Sejong Institute in Imphal.
He said, “Northeast India has seven states, with a population of about 39 million. In these regions, Arirang TV and KBS World channels are aired. Regardless of their age everyone likes K-pop and Korean dramas. As a result, their interest in Korea is high and like Korea very much. In spite of their interest and demands of learning Korean Language, there was only one course for Korean Language at Manipur University since 2012. Then, in 2018, a Korean visiting professor was sent from the Korea Foundation; Korean language education in Manipur began to develop little by little. So the Post Graduate Course which is a full time Korean Language course started from January, 2019. In November 2019, the Korean Culture and Arts Centre, Manipur started providing the Korean Language Course for Beginner and Intermediate levels. And, in January 2020, a 10 week Korean Language course started at DM University. And this time, King Sejong Institute opened in Imphal through the collaboration between Dhanamanjuri University and Korean Cultural Centre India. It is located in Dhanamanjuri University, is run directly by the Korean Cultural Centre India.”
He further stated that the institute will provide high quality Korean language education by Korean native speakers and introduce various cultural programs for the lovers of K-culture. “This starting semester, we have 43 students, 23 in Beginner level, 14 in Intermediate-1, 6 in Intermediate-2. We will continue to provide Korean language education, and various cultural programs. And through Korean language education, we are trying to help as many students get a chance to work in a Korean company and for their further studies in Korea. We will be the link to connect Korea and Manipur in various ways,” Mr. Park said.
Choi Jongho, Minister, Embassy of the Republic of Korea congratulated the institute and expressed his hope that Korean language and culture education would become more widespread through the institute.
M. Harekrishna, Vice Chancellor of Dhanamanjuri University mentioned that DMU is really proud to join hands with KCCI and KSI, Republic of Korea to have a branch of KSI at DMU. “We look forward to both the parties fully and faithfully cooperating with each other in matters relating to the bright future of the students. We also look forward to the Korean government that they provide avenues for cultural exchange programs which the students would love; scholarships and jobs for the students who are studying Korean language and culture,” VC Harekrishna said. On behalf of the DMU team, he thanked the Minister of the Korean Embassy, Director of KCCI and everyone involved for the successful launching of the Korean language program in DMU during this difficult and uncertain time.
Prof. Lee Hyunkyung, Visiting Professor, Department of Foreign Language, Manipur University also congratulated the opening of KSI, Imphal. “When I came to Manipur University in 2018, I was surprised that north east Indians are more interested in Korea and Korean language than I thought,” Prof. Lee said. She further added that Korean language is taught Manipur only among the seven states in India and believes that KSI Imphal will become the outpost of Korean language in north east India.
