By Yash Yadav
A large gathering of people took place this week in London as a new institute to promote the Korean language and culture was opened at Richmond’s liberal arts university.
The London Sejong Institute, which is a joint initiative between Richmond’s The American International University, and the King Sejong Institute Foundation, was opened through an occasion held at Richmond’s Southwest London campus.
The organization will run Korean language courses for the university’s students, staff and workforce – and will likewise be open for classes for the nearby local area, just as frequent Korean cultural events. The opening of the institute follows a successful trial, which occurred in the course of the last year.
At the occasion marking the opening, talks were given by President and VC of the college Phil Deans, as well as the Korean Embassy’s Consul General Seung-shin Lee and Director of the Korean Cultural Center UK Jungwoo Lee.
Dean said, “Korea has many remarkable stories to tell the world, about change and continuity, and struggle and success, about its past and its future”.
“I am delighted and honoured that, with the excellent work of the Sejong Institute, Richmond the American International University can play a part in telling this story.”
Regardless of opening the centre in its current site in late 2021, the university is actually planning a campus move to Chiswick Park in the west of the city –the institute itself will make the move there.
This has not deterred the perspective of students, however – Michael Flynn, who is studying Korean at Richmond said that the institute’s course has been a “great experience”.
“I have been really impressed by the dedication and professionalism of the teaching staff and find myself each week very much looking forward to the next lesson,” Flynn said.
“I believe that the London Sejong Institute will be a great example of Korean learning in the UK. I also find myself increasingly appreciating the logic and beauty of the Korean language – I am looking forward to continuing to the next course in 2022″.
It was a great asset to demand Korean culture in the UK said the consul general.
“Since I came to the UK two years ago, I have been able to witness the rapid increase in popularity of the Korean culture in the UK,” said Seung-shin Lee.
“I believe that the London Sejong Institute will be a great example of Korean learning in the UK and also deepen understanding between the UK and the Republic of Korea,” he added.
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