Gyeongbuk Office of Education Donates 3,500 Korean Language Education Books to Five Locations in Laos, Including Local Schools and Libraries

The Gyeongbuk Office of Education announced on June 22 that it will launch the "2026 Overseas Book Donation Project," which involves donating 3,500 Korean language education books to schools and libraries in Laos, where demand for Korean language education continues to grow each year.

This initiative aims to address the shortage of Korean language books faced by overseas educational institutions that have adopted Korean as a second foreign language. It also seeks to enhance the social value of books and promote international educational sharing by repurposing unused books in good condition from public libraries affiliated with the Gyeongbuk Office of Education.

Last year, the online book donation ceremony at Tokyo School in Japan

The donation will be made to five locations in Laos, including Korean language education institutions and public cultural facilities. The selected recipients are Lao-Korea University Elementary and Middle School, Vientiane Middle School, National University of Laos, National Library of Laos, and Logos Language Institute. A variety of books suitable for Korean language learning and reading activities will be provided to three schools, one library, and one language institute.

All 27 public libraries under the Gyeongbuk Office of Education are participating in the book donation. Books of high donation value are selected, followed by disinfection and maintenance, the application of donation stickers, sorting, and packaging. The prepared books will then be delivered to Laos via sea and land transport, where they will be used to support Korean language learning and promote a culture of reading among students and local residents.

Since 2021, the Gyeongbuk Office of Education has continued its overseas book donation project. So far, it has donated approximately 18,000 books to 23 schools in Laos, Japan, China, Uzbekistan, and other countries, supporting Korean language education abroad and expanding educational and cultural exchanges.

The Gyeongbuk Office of Education believes that this project goes beyond simply supplying books, as it helps to deepen understanding of the Korean language and culture, fosters international friendship through education, and expands cultural exchange. The project is also significant in that it gives new educational value to books with low utilization, realizing the values of sustainable resource circulation and sharing.

Gyeongbuk Education Superintendent Lim Jong-sik stated, "It is very fortunate that we are able to continue the overseas book donation project, despite difficulties arising from uncertain international affairs and worsening logistics conditions. I hope this project will become a valuable learning asset for students in Laos to learn Korean and understand Korean culture. I also hope that the culture of warm sharing practiced by Gyeongbuk education will spread to every corner of the world."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.