[2022 National Audit] "Sejonghakdang Subsidy Operation Method Must Change"

"Delays in Wage Payments Occur... Need to Revise Financial Basis of National Language Basic Act"

[Image source=Yonhap News]

There have been calls to improve the way Sejong Institutes conduct their operations.

According to the National Assembly’s Culture, Sports and Tourism Committee member Im Oh-kyung (Democratic Party), who released the audit report on the 23rd, the Sejong Institute Foundation carries out its overseas projects using subsidies, unlike the Overseas Koreans Foundation and the Korea International Cooperation Agency, which allocate budgets through government grants. According to guidelines, if subsidy settlements are delayed or the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism does not disburse subsidies on time, difficulties such as delays in paying personnel expenses arise.

The Sejong Institutes in the United States and France also face restrictions on smooth operations. Although they use cultural centers that are national property, they pay rent for the use of national property again with government funds. The Korean Language Basic Act, which stipulates the operational basis of the Sejong Institute Foundation, does not include provisions for the free lease of national property.

Rep. Im stated, "If the operational basis under the Korean Language Basic Act is reorganized to improve the way Sejong Institutes conduct their projects, it will have a positive impact not only on increasing demand for Korean tourism but also on enhancing the national image."

The Sejong Institute is a public institution under the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism that teaches the Korean language and culture overseas. It was first established in 2007 in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, and currently operates in 244 locations across eighty-four countries. The annual number of students reaches 81,476, reflecting strong interest from foreigners.

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