KOREAN STUDIES IN KYRGYZSTAN: INSTITUTIONAL DEVELOPMENT, ACADEMIC MOBILITY, AND INTERNATIONAL COOPERATION

Abstract

The expansion of Korean Studies beyond the Korean Peninsula has contributed to the growing development of Korean language education and Korean Studies programs in many regions of the world, including Central Asia. While previous studies have examined Korean Studies in Central Asia more broadly, the institutional development of Korean Studies in Kyrgyzstan has received limited scholarly attention. This article examines the current state of Korean Studies in Kyrgyzstan and identifies the key factors supporting its development within the country’s higher education system.

The study is based on the analysis of university documents, educational programs, institutional reports, academic mobility materials, and information available on official university websites. The research focuses on the major universities involved in Korean Studies education and examines educational programs, human resources, international cooperation, and academic mobility.

The findings demonstrate that Korean Studies in Kyrgyzstan has evolved into a relatively stable academic field supported by a network of university-based centers. Its development is sustained through the interaction of educational programs, faculty development, international partnerships, and academic mobility initiatives. The study identifies the principal institutions involved in Korean Studies and highlights the role of cooperation with Korean universities and organizations in strengthening the field.

The scientific significance of the article lies in providing a systematized analysis of the institutional development of Korean Studies in Kyrgyzstan and in identifying the main factors contributing to its sustainability. The practical significance of the study is related to the possibility of using its findings for the further development of educational programs, academic partnerships, and international cooperation between Kyrgyzstan and the Republic of Korea.

Funding.This work was supported by the Academy of Korean Studies (AKS) under the project “Establishment of DB and Utilization Platform for the Humanities Topography of the Korean Studies Belt in Central Asia” [Project No. AKS-2025-INC-2250002].