Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, or HUFS, was founded in 1954 and is widely regarded as the best institution for foreign language education and internationalization in Korea. The university has established cooperation with 543 universities in 93 countries. HUFS offers 68 doctoral, 85 master's and more than 100 bachelor's programs.

The university has two campuses: the main campus in Seoul and the global campus in Yongin, Gyeonggi-do Province (about 60 minutes from Seoul). The global campus serves as the campus where 43 foreign languages are currently taught.

The Department of Czech Language was established at HUFS on October 23, 1987. The Czech Studies were opened in 1988. Among the founders of the department were Professor Kwon Jae-il and former HUFS Vice President Emeritus Professor Kim Kyu-Jin (e-mail: kyuchink@hanmail.net), who has been supporting the Czech studies until now.

In 2005, Slovak language started to be also taught at the HUFS university and the Department was renamed as the Department of Czech and Slovak Studies (e-mail: hufsczsk@gmail.com) within College of Central and East European Studies.  Currently, the Head of Department is Professor Yu Sunbee (e-mail: yusb@hufs.ac.kr). The Department has several Korean teachers speaking Czech, two Czech teachers and one Slovak teacher. Since 2022, the Department organizes the oral competition in Czech.

Since August 2021, Dr. Darina Ivanovová (e-mail: darinaiv107@gmail.com) has been placed at the Department as full internal professor. Earlier she worked at the Institute of Language and Professional Studies of the Charles University and at the Institute of Bohemian Studies of the Faculty of Arts of Charles University in Prague (now the Institute of Bohemian Studies for Foreigners and Communication), where she was one of the founders of the Czech Studies Online program. She was also working as Secretary for Methodology and Lecturers at the Summer School of Slavic Studies. She was also posted at the Beijing University of International Studies in China and at the Tampere University in Finland. 

Since March 2023, another Czech lecturer Mrs. Lucie Park (e-mail: park@czech.cz) works for the Department of the Czech and Slovak Studies externally.

In addition to the Czech language, translation and interpretation, both native Czech teachers also try to emphasize the inclusion of Czechia's realities in the teaching and general cultural and social competences, which are often more important for mutual understanding than the language itself.

The academic year in the Republic of Korea begins in March and ends in December. Approximately 34 new students enters every year to study our language, with some students transferring from other universities. Most students study Czech in combination with another subject, mostly economics or another language (English, Spanish). In the academic year 2023, a total of 138 students are studying at the Department, of which 36 students are in the 1st grader, 24 in the 2nd grade, 26 in the 3rd grade and 52 in the 4th grade and above.

A number of Korean students studying Czech Studies undertake study or work placements in the Czech Republic during their studies, mostly with branches of Korean companies.

In terms of funding, there are 3 types of students travelling to the Czech Republic for internships:
1. students with scholarship funded by the Government of the Czech Republic,
2. students with scholarship funded by the HUFS university and
3. self-funded students.

Students who complete internships in the Czech Republic usually achieve a higher language level and are motivated to use Czech in their future working career. During their stay in the Czech Republic, they take advantage of the opportunity to take the Czech Language Certificate Exam (CCE). This opportunity is also available directly at HUFS in cooperation with the Czech Center Seoul and the UK Department of Education, starting in autumn 2023, at A2 and B1 level.

Czech teachers and the HUFS Department of Czech and Slovak Studies also work closely with the Czech Embassy in Seoul. There are regular interactions during the so-called Česká & slovenská kavárna (Czech and Slovak Cafe). Students also attend events organized by the Czech and Slovak Embassies and by the Czech Center Seoul, some of which are organized directly for them (lectures, discussions with interesting personalities etc.).

The Department of Czech and Slovak Studies has its own dance ensemble Polka, which participates in various competitions, singing and dancing festivals, thus presenting Czech culture at various Korean cultural events with international participation.

HUFS and, especially, its Department of Czech and Slovak Studies contributes to spreading the good name of the Czech Republic in the Republic of Korea through its activities. Every year, many graduates of Czech Studies are accepted for an employment by Korean companies that cooperate with Czech companies and thus help to overcome the mutual natural language and cultural barrier between the Czech Republic and the Republic of Korea.

(Updated on 19 September 2023)