The establishment of the Department of Korean Studies within the Institute of Oriental Languages and Cultures was a previous objective of the Károli Gáspár University of the Reformed Church in Hungary, and the ceremony took place on 15 May 2023 at the Károlyi-Csekonics Palace in Budapest. The event was timed to coincide with the birthday of King Sejong of Korea, who himself did much to promote education and talent management in his homeland and is credited with the creation of the Korean script.
The University's relations with Korea have been developing since 2010, and the university now has 6 Korean partner institutions and offers exchange programmes for students. Students of the Bachelor's degree in Oriental Languages and Cultures at the University are required to study Japanese and Chinese as well as another Oriental language, of which Korean was already an optional language. From the 2022/2023 academic year, students of the Oriental Languages and Cultures - Japanese major will be able to choose a specialisation in Korean language and culture, and the new department will further expand the range of courses related to Korea.
Prof. Dr. László Trócsányi, Rector gave a welcoming speech at the ceremony, in which he expressed his pleasure that the establishment of the Korean Department has a worthy place in the University's 30th anniversary programme. The creation of the new Department contributes to the success of the University: it is a sign that the institution is flourishing and we can be optimistic about the future. The Rector added that the studies not only provide students with scientific knowledge, but also transmit values: the harmony of new and old, tradition and innovation. He believes it is important to know your roots and look to the future. If we are aware of how our past feeds our present and our future, we will remain true to our traditions and ideals.
The ceremony was attended by His Excellency Kyu Dok Hong, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Hungary, Dr. habil. Géza Horváth, Dean of the Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, Sukjin In, Director of the Korean Cultural Center in Hungary, Dr. habil. Mózes Csoma, Associate Professor of the Institute of Oriental Studies, former Ambassador to Korea, Head of the Department of Korean Studies, also shared his festive thoughts on the establishment of the Department. A video message was sent to the event by Mrs. Kyung-wha Kang, former Foreign Minister of the Republic of Korea, Mr. Chul-min Park, former Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to Budapest, Mr. Gábor Csaba, Deputy State Secretary of the Ministry of Culture and Innovation, Mr. Jae Hun Ro, President of the Korean-Hungarian Friendship Society in Seoul, and Mr. Nam Gil Kim, Korean actor.
Speakers at the event included Korean language teacher Seon Koo Kim and alumni student Gergő Nánai, who was one of the first to travel to South Korea thanks to the University's exchange programme and, as a former student of the institution, shared his memories of his trip to Korea with the participants.
