SK Prime Minister Meets Thai Students Studying Korean Language

South Korean Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn has visited a school in Bangkok to meet the students studying Korean language.

According to the office of Prime Minister, the increasing popularity of K-pop and Korean entertainment industry content among Southeast Asian countries is good for developing the nation's economy and society.

On October 10th, Prime Minister Hwang made the visit in Thailand for his participation in the Asia Cooperation Dialogue (ACD).

25,000 students are said to be studying the Korean language at 100 secondary schools in Thailand. It marked a great rise from 3,000 students recorded in 2010. 

The office of the Prime Minister said that Thai students make up 25 percent of 100,000 students around the globe studying Korean language. 

Due to the rising popularity of Korean language, Thai's education authority agreed to adopt the language as an official subject for college exams starting in the year 2018.

During the Prime Minister's visit at the school, Thai students showed a dance performance to the tune of K-pop songs.

"I was able to see the friendship and harmony of South Korea and Thailand through the performances. I hope this will be an opportunity to not only learn languages but to learn traditional Korean culture," Hwang said during the visit.

The Korean language instructors in Thailand asked help from the Prime Minister to give them study materials for their schools. Moreover, the Ministry of Education in South Korea said that it will expand ties with Thailand by increasing the number of exchange students and promoting language education. Vocational schools in both countries will also cooperate in the areas of technology and beauty industries.

Furthermore, comments from the Prime Minister's office noted that they hope that the event will lend support to "hallyu" or Korean wave, alog with the expansion of cultural exchanges between Bangkok and Seoul.