Paraguay’s Korean Education Center Expands

Why this is here: The expanded center now includes six classrooms, allowing for increased course offerings in response to growing Korean language interest in Paraguay.

The South Korean Ministry of Education opened an expanded Korean Education Center in Asunción, Paraguay on May 20. The new facility features six classrooms, three beyond the legal minimum, to meet growing demand. Paraguay officially adopted Korean as a second foreign language in May 2024, coinciding with increased interest in Korean culture.

During the opening ceremony, the Ministry presented a plaque of appreciation to Maria Gloria Pereira, former Vice Minister of Education and Science of Paraguay, for her contributions to Korean language education. The center also signed a cooperative agreement with four local Korean residents to renovate libraries in schools that have adopted Korean language programs.

South Korea has operated the education center in Paraguay since 1980, following formal diplomatic ties established in 1962. Currently, 47 Korean Education Centers exist in 22 countries, supporting overseas Korean communities with language and cultural education. The center’s ability to address rising demand beyond Paraguay remains to be seen.