Yangju City Council Donates Book Fund to Support Korean Language Education in India

New Delhi, India – In a significant gesture to enhance the educational environment for Korean students in India, the Yangju City Council of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, Republic of Korea, has donated 5 million won in book funds to three Korean Language Schools operating across Delhi-NCR.

The donation ceremony, led by Chairperson Lee Kwang-il, was hosted by the National Unification Advisory Council’s Southwest Asia Council and organized by the Korean Association in India. It took place at the IBS Center in Gurugram on April 25, 2025.

The three Korean Language Schools, located in New Delhi, Gurugram, and Noida, are dedicated to teaching the Korean language and culture to children from multi-cultural Korean families, including Indo-Korean and Indo-American households. The Gurugram branch, operating within the Excelsior American School campus, has the largest enrollment with approximately 120 students. Classes are conducted on weekends, from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. every Saturday.

The Yangju City Council delegation, led by Chairperson Sangwon Lee, included Executive Secretary Taehyun Lee, Director of Planning and Coordination Taeok Choi, Chair of the Women’s Committee Miyeong Kim, and Advisors Seokhee Lee, Seongmok Yoo, Hyojeong Kim, Chaemin Nam, along with Administrative Director Heejeong Choi.

Prominent figures from the Korean community in India also attended, including Park Euy Don, President of the Federation of Korean Associations in India; Senior Vice President Kim Hyun-ju of the Korean Association in India; Yonghyeok Seo,  Hyejung Cho as Head of the Planning and Promotion Committee of the Peaceful Unification Advisory Council, and MIRYUNG MAENG as Head of Education Subcommittee 1, and Jeongwook Hyun.

In his remarks, Chairperson Lee Kwang-il emphasized the enduring bond between the South Asia Council and the Yangju Council, describing the relationship as a sisterhood built on mutual respect and collaboration.

“Today’s ceremony is a symbol of our precious friendship, and I firmly believe it will serve as a stepping stone for advancing together in solidarity,” he said.

“This donation, presented by the Yangju Council to the South Asia Council, is far more than material support. It represents a meaningful sharing of knowledge, education, and culture—an inspiring gift that will bring hope and pride to our youth and local communities.”

He further pledged that the South Asia Council would continue working closely with the Yangju Council to strengthen ties among Korean communities worldwide and contribute to the foundation of peace and unification.

Chairperson Lee also expressed heartfelt gratitude to India, acknowledging the country’s historical contributions during the Korean War.

“I would like to express my deepest respect and appreciation to India for its noble contribution during the Korean War. In 1950, India dispatched 627 medical personnel from the 60th Parachute Field Ambulance unit, treating over 222,000 wounded soldiers and civilians. In 1953, India once again demonstrated its commitment to peace and humanity by sending more than 5,200 troops as part of the Custodian Force of India to assist with prisoner repatriation,” he noted.

“As a Korean, I am sincerely grateful for this sacrifice and solidarity,” he added.

The ceremony served not only as a celebration of friendship but also as a reaffirmation of the two communities’ commitment to educational excellence, cultural preservation, and global peace.