The King Sejong Institute in Zagreb commenced its winter semester on 1 September 2025. This academic year, a total of 95 students have enrolled, representing an increase of approximately 55.7% compared to the spring semester, which had 61 participants. This clearly demonstrates the growing interest in the Korean language and culture in Croatia.

Classes are held from 1 September to 19 December, spanning a total of 16 weeks, with three hours of instruction per week. The closing ceremony is scheduled for 20 December 2025. The tuition fee for language courses is 70 euros per semester, while cultural courses and introductory programmes are offered free of charge. One of the major advantages of the King Sejong Institute is that, for a modest fee, participants receive expert instruction in the Korean language and have the opportunity to engage in a variety of cultural activities.

The King Sejong Institute in Zagreb was established in September 2020 and has, over the past five years, been systematically promoting the Korean language and culture in Croatia. A particularly significant moment came during the spring semester of 2025, when Assist. Prof. Vlatko Smiljanić, Vice-Dean of the Faculty of Croatian Studies, assumed the position of Director of the Institute. The Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to the Republic of Croatia, H.E. Seungbuhm Lee, attended the closing ceremony of the spring semester, where he encouraged students and discussed strengthening cooperation between the Embassy and the Institute. The Institute is currently staffed by lecturers Hyoji Lee and Geunjy Kim and Secretary Seonghyun Kwon.

In the winter semester, a total of nine groups have been organized. Language courses include two groups at Level 1A, courses 1B and 2A, and four conversation groups (Levels 1, 2, 3, and 4). In addition, there are cultural programmes (8 weeks) and an introductory course (4 weeks). A distinctive feature of the Institute is its annual student survey, which helps shape the design of cultural programmes based on participants’ interests. This semester’s activities include a variety of workshops: Korean cooking, trying on hanbok (traditional Korean dress), K-POP classes, Korean painting, and more. All students enrolled in language courses are invited to take part in these activities.

Among the main events of this semester are: a screening of the popular Netflix animated film “K-POP Demon Hunters” followed by a sing-along event, book club meetings, the Hangul Day celebration (wearing hanbok, learning traditional bowing, making Hangul-themed T-shirts, traditional games), TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean), a Korean cuisine workshop, K-POP dance sessions, and karaoke evenings.

For the past year and a half, the Institute has been running a Book Club, where members read works by Korean authors translated into Croatian or English and meet once a month. The Institute will also continue to organize K-POP fan meetups, during which participants learn and share popular songs and choreographies. Such joint activities provide students with a first-hand experience of Korean culture and foster friendship among people with shared interests.

Through its comprehensive cultural programme and professional Korean language instruction, the King Sejong Institute in Zagreb continues to promote cultural exchange and to strengthen ties between Croatia and Korea. The winter semester is expected to be filled with knowledge, creativity, and friendship.

Additionally, the free four-week introductory course in the Korean language will open for enrolment at the end of October, with all details to be announced on the Faculty of Croatian Studies’ website and the official Instagram page of the Institute (@sejongzagreb).