Ulsan Office of Education Selected as Top Institution for Korean Language Officer Duties

Carrying on the Spirit of Oesol:
Student Participation in "Rewriting Our Language" Activities
Fostering a Love for the Korean Language:
An Educational Culture Created by Students, Teachers, and Staff Together

Ulsan Metropolitan Office of Education (Superintendent Cheon Changsu) has been selected as the top institution for the "2024 National Language Officer Duties," organized by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, and will receive a ministerial commendation along with a prize of 1 million KRW.

This evaluation was based on the performance of national language officer duties under the National Language Act, and institutions were selected through a review process targeting central administrative agencies, metropolitan and basic local governments, and education offices nationwide.

The Ulsan Office of Education was named the top institution for two consecutive years in 2021 and 2022, was selected as an excellent institution in 2023, and has once again been recognized as the top institution this year. This is significant as the entire region has established itself as the leading city for Korean language education in the country, thanks to its high interest and passion for the Korean language and script.

The Ulsan Office of Education stood out for its various activities led by students to improve language culture. In particular, the "Student Participation: Rewriting Our Language" contest was held twice, encouraging the replacement of foreign words and trendy slang with Korean expressions, thereby fostering a love for the Korean language and script.

This contest saw record participation, with 1,222 students in the first half and 1,876 in the second half, marking the largest scale to date.

Additionally, the Ulsan Office of Education supported 20 "Oesol Awareness Student Clubs" to honor the spirit of Oesol Choi Hyunbae. These clubs engaged in activities such as producing public service advertisements promoting Hangeul, creating wearable Hangeul items, exhibiting Hangeul Day letters, volunteering for fairy tale readings, and offering special Hangeul lectures for students from immigrant backgrounds, all in the spirit of loving the Korean language.

The "Malmoe Teachers Group," centered on field teachers, was also operated. This group focused on enhancing expertise in language education by running teacher training sessions, sharing exemplary lessons from each school, and judging student contests.

Efforts were also made to improve language culture in public service. The Ulsan Office of Education has established a culture of using plain Korean in official documents and press releases by providing regular training and special lectures for staff throughout the year. As a result of these efforts, it became the first education office in the country last year to receive the "Public Writing Excellence Award."

Going forward, the Ulsan Office of Education plans to further expand language education linked to schools, based on the duties of the national language officer, to cultivate linguistic sensitivity and identity by using the Korean language and script.

Superintendent Cheon Changsu stated, "Our language and script are not just tools for communication, but the roots of our lives and the foundation of our spirit," and added, "The Office of Education will continue to take the lead so that students can grow into citizens who love and practice our language and script."