Meet Korean learners overseas and find out how to start with King Sejong Institute

If Hangeul Day on October 9 prompted an interest in learning Korean, you may wonder whether there is a classroom nearby or what you can study online first. Knowing where to find local classes and an English introductory course also gives you something specific to share with a friend who wants to learn.

How many people are learning Korean overseas?

The King Sejong Institute Foundation's 2025 achievements chart separates the number of countries and institutes from enrollment. It also distinguishes Nuri membership from site visits. Similar-looking measures count different things. The enrollment figure below is a specific category in that chart; it should not be treated as an overall total including every online course.

The table follows material from the two institutions checked on October 17, 2026. Enrolled students and Nuri members may overlap, so the two are not added up into a worldwide learner count. The 87 countries and 252 institutes describe operations in 2025.

Did everyone applying for TOPIK study at a King Sejong Institute?

TOPIK is a nationally recognized Korean proficiency test used for studying in Korea, obtaining residency status and employment in Korea and overseas. NIIED's published figures measure applications to the test. They do not measure the same group as King Sejong Institute enrollment.

The same announcement lists applications by year: 421,812 in 2023, 493,287 in 2024 and 566,665 in 2025. Through September 2026 there were 564,606, up 10% from the same period a year earlier. These are applications, so they differ from the number who actually sat the test or from a count of unique learners.

When a friend wants to learn Korean, ask about their goal before quoting test statistics. Whether they want lessons or need a score for study or work in Korea changes where you should point them.

How can you find out about classes at a nearby institute?

Start with the worldwide institute map on the King Sejong Institute Foundation website. After finding an institute in your area, check its enrollment notices or contact it about an introductory class. Choose a class and schedule using the local institute's information.

Writing down the following before you contact the institute can help you get the answers you need.

• Give your city and the days and times when you can attend.
• Say whether you are new to Hangeul or can already read it, and ask which class fits.
• Ask the institute about application dates, class format, tuition and textbook costs.
• If you need a certificate, ask whether one is issued and what completion requires before applying.

Schedules and fees differ by institute. If there is no suitable local class or the times do not work for you, you can start by looking at online materials.

Where should you start on Nuri and Online King Sejong Institute?

Nuri is a portal for finding textbooks and learning materials, while Online King Sejong Institute lets you enroll in courses. Start with the introductory level on the Nuri learning roadmap. If you have studied Korean before, you can also look at the Korean level test. The roadmap groups lessons, textbooks and pronunciation practice by level.

For instruction in English, check the Sejong Korean Introduction self-study course. Its 2026 page lists English as the course language, an introductory level and no tuition fee. Both application and study periods run from January 1 to December 31, 2026, and the page says applicants can study at any time. This course does not issue a certificate of completion or confirmation of attendance, so anyone needing documentation should check the conditions of another course.

If a friend wants to learn Korean, send them the introductory course link. After their first lesson, you could ask what they would like to say first. You can begin by slowly reading their chosen expression together.