On January 9th, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs received a briefing from the Korea Foundation on its 2026 business direction and key tasks. Minister Cho Hyun praised the Korea Foundation for its contribution to enhancing awareness of Korea and building global human networks through various international exchange projects. He urged the foundation to continue its efforts responsibly in line with the national tasks of the Lee Jae-myung administration, ensuring that the foundation’s activities contribute to the welfare of the people and the success of national tasks.
Minister Cho emphasized that the Korea Foundation is one of the key institutions in spreading the K-Initiative and strengthening public diplomacy, which are major national tasks of the Lee Jae-myung administration. He requested the foundation to actively work towards the diversification of regions and fields, and the efforts of innovation and creation to spread K-Culture and the Korean language.
Song Ki-do, Chairman of the Korea Foundation, stated that the foundation’s key tasks for 2026 include spreading Korean studies based on foreign policy, strengthening the cultivation of next-generation Korean experts, supporting policy communication and solidarity that backs practical diplomacy centered on national interests, connecting various entities such as youth and regions, and expanding customized public diplomacy for major diplomatic occasions.
The Ministry of Foreign Affairs and the Korea Foundation had in-depth discussions on the foundation’s role in spreading the Korean language and Korean studies, strengthening and expanding international cooperation networks, and securing a sustainable public diplomacy foundation through the stabilization of international exchange contributions. Additionally, the Korea Foundation reported on its management performance and measures taken regarding major external criticisms, and it will continue to seek development directions for strengthening organizational operation and management systems, expanding contributions to national and regional coexistence, and enhancing efforts for public communication.