The King Sejong Institute is a leading brand of the institute for learning and teaching Korean abroad. It was established in 2007, and in June 2022, there were 244 branches in 84 countries around the world, with more than 81,000 participants. The Rijeka branch of the Institute will provide integrated and standardised information and services for learning the Korean language and will offer a true experience of the diversity of Korean culture. The lecturers, who are native speakers of the Korean language, will hold classes according to a standardised curriculum, which will greatly facilitate learning for all participants. The expected duration of the course is from 10 to 12 weeks, and the Institute in Rijeka will become operative in the first week of October with classes on the basics of the Korean language and culture and taekwondo, one of traditional Korean martial arts.

Inauguration of the King Sejong Institute in Rijeka

The ceremony was attended by guests from the Republic of Korea, representatives of the Korean Embassy, the University of Rijeka and partner institutions.

Welcome speeches were given by H.E. Sung-Wook Hong, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Croatia, Seong Keun Yi, rector of Sungshin Women’s University, Snježana Prijić Samaržija, Rector of the University of Rijeka and Marko Filipović, Mayor of Rijeka.

There is a long-standing and fruitful connection and partnership between the University of Rijeka and educational institutions in Korea. Back in 2008, cooperation was established between the University of Hankuk (South Slavic Studies) and the University of Rijeka under the leadership of academician Rector Daniel Rukavina. The Taekwondo Academy of the University of Rijeka was officially opened in June 2016 in the presence of President Chungwon Choue and in cooperation with the World Taekwondo Federation and Pohang University of Science and Technology.

Snježana Prijić Samaržija, Rector of the University of Rijeka

We are exceptionally honoured that the King Sejong Institute has been set up at our University and that more than 60 people have already registered for the initial course of the Korean language and culture, which indicates the interest of our fellow citizens in the Korean language and culture, pointed out Rector Prijić Samaržija in her address.

H.E. SUNG-WOOK HONG, AMBASSADOR OF THE REPUBLIC OF KOREA TO THE REPUBLIC OF CROATIA

The development of the city on the foundations of a knowledge society is not possible without a university rich in tradition and quality. All these years, the university has been a key player in the creation of quality and sought-after young professionals. Being a knowledge society is one of the most important directions in the development pathway of Rijeka, a direction that is encouraged by numerous civic initiatives and volunteer activities aimed precisely at the further development of Rijeka as a modern, open, multicultural community. Studying in Rijeka means having excellent professors and the best conditions for education, and that’s why I’m glad that our city has firmly committed itself to the development and support of education, knowledge, science and new technologies in the last twenty years. Also, this year we mark the 30th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relationships between Croatia and the Republic of Korea, so this is the perfect moment for the opening of the King Sejong Institute, stressed Mayor Filipović.

Ambassador Hong pointed out: “I am delighted with the Rijeka Carnival, which I visited for the first time this year and it was organised exceptionally in summer, instead of at the end of winter. These are significant diplomatic developments. We hope that the people of Rijeka will love the Korean language and culture”, he concluded.

Marko Filipović, Mayor of Rijeka

H.E. Damir Kušen, Ambassador of the Republic of Croatia in Seoul welcomed the attendees and extended his congratulations via a video call.

We are proud to open the Institute at this promising and growing University, said Rector Yi, and thanked Rector Prijić Samaržija, Prorector Žuvić and the ambassadors.

The director of the Business Department at the King Sejong Institute, Mr. Jongkwon Jeong, presented a plaque with the name of the Institute to the Prorector for Studies, Students and Quality Assurance, Marta Žuvić, who was appointed director of the Institute, and handed over to her a plaque with the Institute’s name.

Following the ceremony, the guests and the hosts visited the premises on the Campus, that have been made available to the Institute to use them.