Hangeul Day 2025 Celebrated with Grandeur at JNU’s Centre for Korean Studies
New Delhi, India – The Centre for Korean Studies (CKS) at Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU), in joint collaboration with the Embassy of the Republic of Korea, successfully organized the Hangeul Day 2025 Celebrations from October 8 to 10. The three-day festival commemorated the creation of 한글 (Hangeul) and brought together students, educators, and Korean language enthusiasts from institutions across India, creating a vibrant platform for cultural exchange and academic dialogue.
A Prelude of Creativity: The celebrations began with preliminary competitions on October 5, featuring Korean Essay writing and Korean handwriting contests. Students from JNU, Jamia Millia Islamia, Delhi University, and Amity University showcased their linguistic skills and creativity, setting an engaging tone for the days ahead.
Grand Inauguration and Cultural Festivities: The grand inauguration, held on October 8 at JNU’s Convention Centre, was inaugurated by Lee Seong-ho, Ambassador of the Republic of Korea, in the presence of Prof. Dipendra Nath Das, Rector II, JNU, Amb. Skand Tayal, President of India-RoK Friendship Society, Kwang Il Lee, President of the Korean Association in India, Prof. Shoba Sivasankaran, Dean of SLL&CS and other dignitaries.
Dr. Kaushal Kumar, Chairperson, Centre for Korean Studies, extended a warm welcome to all present through his welcome Address.
In his inaugural address, Ambassador Lee emphasized the profound cultural significance of Hangeul, describing it as “a symbol of Korean identity, heritage, and pride.” Reflecting on King Sejong’s vision in creating the alphabet in 1443, he noted how it democratized literacy in Korea. He also highlighted the rapid growth of Korean language education in India, observing that “Korean is now one of the fastest-growing foreign languages in India after English, Hindi, and French,” and commended JNU as “the hub and epicenter of Korean Studies in India.” He further lauded the establishment of the Korean Education Center in New Delhi as a milestone in advancing educational cooperation between India and Korea.
A Celebration of Culture and Language: The cultural segment that followed presented a colorful blend of traditional and modern Korean art forms. Students from JNU, Jamia Millia Islamia, and Delhi University enthralled the audience with performances such as the graceful Fan Dance (부채춤), lively K-pop and trot renditions, comedy Gag concerts and short plays depicting the creation of Hangeul.
The Korean Exhibition and Experience Zone added to the festivities with interactive booths on calligraphy, Hanbok (한복) trials, traditional games, and K-beauty skincare experiences sponsored by Atomy. The Korean Food Festival drew enthusiastic participation, offering authentic delicacies including Dosirak (도시락)—traditional Korean lunchboxes—adding a delicious cultural dimension to the celebrations.
Academic Symposium on AI and Language Education: On October 9, the Hangeul Day Symposium served as the academic core of the celebration under the theme “Korean Language Education in the Age of AI.” The keynote address by Professor Lee Chan-Kyu, Professor & Vice President of Chung-ang University, explored the evolving intersection of language pedagogy and artificial intelligence.
Panel discussions featuring Ms. Ko Ho Jeong, Director of KEC, Mr. Phil Chung, CEO Yashobhoomi Kinexin and other leading educators from JNU, DU, Amity, Central University of Jharkhand and JMI delved into how technology is reshaping language learning while underscoring the importance of preserving cultural authenticity.
Parallel student contests such as the Digital Camera Poem, Poetry Recitation, Singing, Quiz on Korea, and Insta Reel challenges showcased the participants’ creativity and enthusiasm.
Sports, Spirit, and Solidarity: The three-day celebration concluded on October 10 with a spirited Hangeul Day Sports Festival, where students, faculty members, and guests engaged in friendly games and team activities that strengthened camaraderie and community spirit. This grand finale ended on a high with the gracious presence of Mr. Lim Sang Woo and his cheerful dance with the students. The cheerful energy reflected the unity and dynamism that have defined JNU’s Korean Studies community for over three decades.
A Message of Gratitude and Friendship: Delivering the Vote of Thanks, Dr. Satyanshu Srivastava, Coordinator of the Hangeul Day Celebration 2025, expressed heartfelt gratitude to the Embassy of Korea, partner universities, sponsors, and students for their collective contribution to the event’s success. He reflected that this year’s celebration was especially meaningful as it marked “thirty years of love, learning, and living the Korean language — thirty years of a remarkable journey connecting India and Korea through culture, language, and friendship.”
Dr. Srivastava praised the dedication of students and faculty, calling them “the true stars of the celebration,” and concluded with a resonant message: “Hangeul is not just a script — it is a symbol of friendship, creativity, and cultural harmony between India and Korea. Let us continue to celebrate its spirit for the next thirty years and beyond.”
An Enduring Cultural Bridge: As the curtains fell on Hangeul Day 2025, the celebration stood as a testament to the growing prominence of Korean Studies in India and the deepening cultural and educational partnership between the two nations. With every performance, panel, and shared meal, participants reaffirmed that Hangeul continues to serve not merely as a linguistic innovation, but as a living bridge connecting India and Korea in enduring friendship and mutual understanding.
