Leiden University receives Prime Minister's Award from Korea for Korea Studies program
Ambassador Hyoung Chan Choe of South Korea paid his first visit to Leiden University Nov. 22, where he was received by President Annetje Ottow and Professor of Korea Studies Remco Breuker.
The ambassador presented the Prime Minister's Award on behalf of the Korean government to Professor Breuker in recognition of his achievements in developing Korean language studies. At the award presentation, a certificate in Korean was presented to president Ottow and Professor Breuker as well as a small flag. This small flag was hung next to the flag of Leiden University. The ambassador pledged all support to Leiden University to further support the study of Korean.
There was also talk of a Korean language competition in 2024 and further support of Korean students for example through contacts with Korean business in the Netherlands or internships in Korea.
Pleased
Breuker is pleased with the award. 'Although I get to receive this award, it is for the entire Korea Studies program. The efforts behind it are all ours', he said. 'We are very pleased with this recognition from the South Korean government that the Korea Studies program at Leiden has worked long and hard (and continues to do so) to provide a robust scholarly education in which mastery of Korean is a crucial tool.'
