Kim Meets with Korean Language Students at Mejiro University
Celebrating 20 Years Since the Establishment of the Korean Major in 2005
"Let Us Open Our Hearts and Expand Exchange and Cooperation Through a Shared Language"
First Lady Kim Hye-kyung, wife of President Lee Jae-myung, met with students from the Department of Korean Language at Mejiro University in Tokyo, Japan, and said, "You are the protagonists creating a miracle in which young people from Korea and Japan are becoming one through the power of culture and language," adding, "I support your hopeful future."
Accompanying President Lee during his visit to Japan for the Korea-Japan summit, Mrs. Kim stated in her greeting, "As Korea and Japan are neighbors who share a front yard and important partners cooperating to solve common challenges, I believe it is extremely important for the youth of both countries to open their hearts to each other and expand exchanges and cooperation through a shared language, as this is also a crucial part of developing Korea-Japan relations."
The Department of Korean Language at Mejiro University, which established its Korean major in 2005, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. Among universities in Japan that use the name "Department of Korean Language," Mejiro University's department is currently the largest. When it was first established in 2005, the admission quota was 20 students, but this year, 76 students were admitted, nearly quadrupling in size over 20 years. The university is reportedly planning to establish Japan's first School of Korean Studies in 2027.
Mrs. Kim said, "Among Japanese youth, the popularity of K-pop and K-dramas has led to increased interest in K-lifestyle, including food, fashion, and beauty," adding, "I have heard that this interest is now turning toward the Korean language, which is the root and spirit of Korean culture. Learning Korean goes beyond simply acquiring a language; it is a process of understanding Korean culture and the identity of the Korean people. I believe this is a shortcut to deepening mutual understanding and friendship between the youth of Korea and Japan."
She went on to emphasize, "As Korea and Japan are neighbors who share a front yard and important partners cooperating to solve common challenges, it is extremely important for the youth of both countries to open their hearts to each other and expand exchanges and cooperation through a shared language, as this is a crucial part of developing Korea-Japan relations."
Earlier, Yamamoto Rio, a third-year student in the Department of Korean Language at Mejiro University, delivered a welcoming address, saying, "On behalf of the students, I sincerely welcome and thank you for your visit. Because I like and love Korea, I have studied Korean diligently and have come to like Korea even more. I will cherish this special meeting with you as a beautiful memory and will work even harder to ensure that the Korea-Japan relations our students build are filled with such experiences."
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