University of Iowa King Sejong Institute February, 2016

Our mission The King Sejong Institute is an educational institution which offers various Korean language and culture classes. Sponsored by the South Korean government, its purpose is to spread Korean language and culture throughout the world. There are about 140 King Sejong Institutes serving Korean learners and educators in 50 countries.

The University of Iowa King Sejong Institute, which is collaboratively operated by the University of Iowa’s Division of World Languages, Literatures and Cultures (DWLLC), UI International Programs, and the Ewha Womans University, is one of six King Sejong Institutes in the United States, and the only one in the Midwest. Anyone who is interested in Korean language and culture can participate in classes offered by the King Sejong Institute

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Upcoming Events

The Sejong Talks—lectures series on issues of Korea

“Contemporary Youth and Digital Culture in South Korea” by Jiyeon Kang Ph.D., Department of Communication Studies 6:00-7:00, Feb 24th (Wed), 1117 University Capitol Center

This event is free and open to the public. Light refreshments will be served.

Cooking Classes

1117 University Capitol Center Participation fee: $10, Please RSVP by emailing sejong@uiowa.edu.

March 11 (Friday, 5:30-7:30 pm), Korean Noodle Dishes—Kalguksu and Bibimguksu

April 8 (Friday, 5:30-7:30 pm), Jeon—Korean style pancakes (meet and vegetable jeons)

Contact Information

E-mail: sejong@uiowa.edu

King Sejong Institute Korean | Language | Culture

University of Iowa King Sejong Institute February, 2016

Spring-2 semester, 3/23-5/11, Meet once a week, 8 sessions, $80 For True Beginners: Korean Alphabet Class

• Wednesdays 3:30-5:10, 470 Van Allen Hall

• Thursdays 5:30~7:10, 217 Phillips Hall

For those who already know how to read Hangeul:

• Beginner A-1, Tuesdays, 6:00 ~ 7:40 p.m., 219 Phillips Hall

• Beginner A-2, Wednesdays, 5:30-7:10 p.m., 217 Phillips Hall

• Beginner B, Mondays, 5:30-7:10 p.m., 219 Phillips Hall

Information session will be on March 18, 5:30-6:30 at 114 Phillips Hall. You can drop by during this time to check available classes. Upper level classes may be available. For more information, please contact Director Sang-Seok Yoon via our email (sejong@uiowa.edu).

Korean Language and Hangeul Korean language is spoken by about 80 million people around the world. In terms of number of speakers, Korean is rated eleventh among over 3,000 languages in the world. The Korean alphabet, Hangeul is a very scientific writing system and it is very easy to learn. You can master Hangeul in a few days. Let’s learn Hangeul with us at the University of Iowa King Sejong Institute. Try to watch the following video for learning Hangeul:

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Who is “King Sejong"?

King Sejong was the fourth king of Joseon Dynasty, a Korean kingdom during 1392-1897. He invented a writing system which can represent the correct sounds of Korean language in 1443. The Korean alphabet is called “Hangeul”. Before Hangeul was invented, Koreans used Chinese characters to communicate while they spoke in Korean. Thanks to King Sejong, Korean people could have their own characters and common people could be educated and easily communicate. The King Sejong Institute was named after him to commemorate his invention of Hangeul.