South Korea, officially known as the Republic of Korea, is a country in East Asia located on the southern part of the Korean Peninsula. With a population of approximately 52 million people, it is one of the most densely populated countries in the world, with half of its population living in its capital, Seoul.
South Korea is globally recognized for its rapid economic development, technological innovation, and rich culture that blends traditional elements with modern influences. The country is also known for its natural beauty, featuring national parks, mountains, and coastal areas deeply connected to local legends and religious traditions.
Additionally, South Korea has become a global hub for music and entertainment, largely due to the K-pop phenomenon and its popular television productions, known as K-dramas.
The Korean Language and Hangul
Although references to an older form of the Korean language date back to around 57 BCE, Korea did not have its own writing system for most of its history. The modern Korean language now uses the Hangul alphabet, which was created in the 15th century CE by King Sejong the Great.
Hangul consists of 24 basic letters—14 consonants and 10 vowels—and is based in a phonetic writing system, where each letter represents a distinct sound, very similar to the Greek alphabet.
However, despite being phonetic, Hangul functions differently from the Greek alphabet. Letters are not written in a simple linear sequence; instead, they form syllabic blocks. Each block consists of two to four letters (consonants and vowels) arranged together like a puzzle, creating a square-shaped visual unit for each syllable.
Learning the Korean language is valuable for anyone interested in Korean culture and history.
The official examination body for Korean language proficiency is called TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean).
The exams are conducted under the general supervision of the Ministry of Education of Korea in Athens.
The certifications are divided into levels:
TOPIK I covers the beginner levels (Levels 1 and 2).
TOPIK II covers the advanced levels (Levels 3, 4, 5, and 6).
Exams are held every October and April.
TOPIK I includes only listening and reading comprehension sections, while in TOPIK II, candidates are additionally required to produce written essays.
Levels 1 and 2: 2 academic hours per week – 10 months
Levels 3 and 4: 3 academic hours per week – 10 months
Levels 5 and 6: 3 academic hours per week – 10 months
“Private lessons also available upon arrangement with the students.”
