Hangeul Day Special: Affection for Hangeul in India is exceptional, says Moon Jae-in, South Korean President
NEW DELHI: Moon Jae-in, President of the Republic of Korea has said that the affection for Hangeul – the Korean language in India is exceptional.
The South Korean President said this in his tweet made from the official Twitter account (@TheBlueHouseENG ) last week when the world witnessed various countries including India celebrating October 9 as the Hangeul Day.
While praising India’s decision to include Korean as a second foreign language at the secondary school level, Moon Jae-in said on his tweet, “Notably, affection for Hangeul in India is exceptional. In later July, the country included Korea as a second foreign language elective. On the upcoming 574th Hangeul Day, a variety of commemorative events, co-hosted by Korean Cultural Centre and Jawaharlal Nehru University, will be held in India,”
The information about the Korean president tweeting about India’s love for Hangeul was disclosed by SHIN Bong-kil, Ambassador, South Korea to India during the online Hangeul Day event organized by KCCI and Centre for Korean Studies (CKS), School of Language, Cultural and Literature Studies, Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU) last week.
The online event was attended by Euy Don Park, President, Korean Association in India, Kim Kum Pyoung, Director, KCCI, Prof. Kim Do Young, Director, Korean Studies, Jamia Millia Islamia, Prof. Ravikesh, Chairperson, CKS, SLL&CS, JNU, Prof. Chintamani Mahapatra, Rector, JNU, Prof. Syed Ainul Hasan, Dean, SL.&CS, INU, and students across India.
In his address, Ambassador, SHIN Bong-kil, said, “A few days ago, President Moon Jai-in twitted personally about the Korean language becoming a second language at the high school and he also introduced today’s event between KCC and CSK, JNU. I am sure that this growing interest in each other’s language and culture will drive our bilateral relations to the levels that two countries aspire to be.”
“For Koreans, Hangeul is much more than just a Korean alphabet. It represents the very basis of the identity of the Korean people and the Korean nation. With the invention and proclamation of Hangeul, Korean culture has been explored with a distinct identity. It’s certainly a matter of joy for all the Koreans to celebrate the Hangeul Day with pride and honour,” said the Ambassador.
Ambassador Shin Bong-kil further said that as ROK ambassador to India, he was proud to witness increasing enthusiasm for the Korean language among Indian people. This is evident with the fact that the leading Indian universities are offering Koran language courses.
Euy Don Park, President, Korean Association in India, that represents over 15000 Korean nationals living in India was grateful for the annual special celebration of this joyous and special event of Hangeul day.
Euy Don Park hoped that the number of academic institutions offering Korean linguistic courses would increase phenomenally in the near future.
“This year our celebration of Hangeul day is much more meaningful and carries much more pride. The reason being, the Ministry of education has officially selected the Korean Language as the 2nd Language curriculum this year, “ he added.
Park said that in north India JNU and Jamia Millia Islamia and Delhi University, are offering Korean language courses, in the northeast, it is Mahipalpur’s Imphal University, and in south India, Hydrabad’s English & Foreign Language University, all they are now teaching 한글 as opening the Korean linguistic course and Korea Study Center. It is really great.
“And I believe this number of 4 universities will be turning to 10 and again 20 in near future. Really great phenomenal progress for both of us. The excellent talents studied here will greatly contribute to the increase in bilateral exchanges between India Korea in the future,” said Park.
