King Faisal Prize, Hankuk University holds joint symposium on Arabic language and culture in Seoul
Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) in South Korea hosted a joint academic symposium with the King Faisal Prize titled “Arabic Language and Culture: From Roots to the Future”.
The symposium opened with remarks by Professor Yun Eun Kyung, Head of the university’s Foreign Language Training and Testing Center, who welcomed the collaboration between Hankuk University and the King Faisal Prize and expressed hope for continued cooperation.
King Faisal Prize Secretary General Abdulaziz Alsebail praised the joint symposium, which featured contributions from two King Faisal Prize laureates. He also expressed his appreciation to Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, particularly its Department of Arabic, for hosting the academic event.
The university’s Dean of International Affairs addressed the symposium on behalf of the university rector, highlighting the King Faisal Prize’s role in advancing scholarship and honoring distinguished scholars. The address also reaffirmed the university’s commitment to expanding cooperation with the prize.
The symposium’s first session featured Professor Choi Young-kil, a recipient of the King Faisal Prize for Service to Islam, who reflected on his five-decade engagement with the Arabic language and Islamic culture, drawing on his extensive experience in authorship, translation and teaching.
Professor Saeed Al-Saeed, a recipient of the King Faisal Prize for Islamic Studies, delivered a presentation examining the historical evolution of the Arabic language in light of archaeological evidence and recent discoveries across the Arabian Peninsula.
During the second session, Alsebail explored similarities between modern Korean and Arabic poetry, drawing on selected literary works from both cultures.
Professor Kyung also presented an overview of the history of Arabic language education in South Korea, tracing the various stages of its development, growing Korean interest in Arab culture and the principal challenges facing Arabic language instruction in the country.
On the sidelines of the symposium, Hankuk University of Foreign Studies Rector Kee-Hoon Kang received Alsebail and Al-Saeed at his office.
During the meeting, the visiting scholars expressed their appreciation to the university rector for hosting the symposium. Kang welcomed the partnership between the university and the King Faisal Prize, while both sides discussed opportunities to strengthen future cooperation in cultural and academic fields.
UzA
