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Manila Bulletin devider Philippines devider National devider DepEd renews partnership with South Korea to expand Korean language program in public high schools

DepEd renews partnership with South Korea to expand Korean language program in public high schools

Published Mar 4, 2026 01:32 pm
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara and ROK Education Minister Choi Kyo-Jin formalized the renewal of the Special Program in Foreign Languages (SPFL), expanding Korean language and cultural training in select Philippine public high schools, with the agreement presented to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and ROK President Lee Jae Myung at Malacañang Palace, marking a milestone in bilateral educational cooperation. (DepEd photo)
DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara and ROK Education Minister Choi Kyo-Jin formalized the renewal of the Special Program in Foreign Languages (SPFL), expanding Korean language and cultural training in select Philippine public high schools, with the agreement presented to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and ROK President Lee Jae Myung at Malacañang Palace, marking a milestone in bilateral educational cooperation. (DepEd photo)
The Department of Education (DepEd) announced on Wednesday, March 4, that it strengthened global education pathways for Filipino learners by renewing its partnership with the Republic of Korea’s Ministry of Education to continue teaching the Korean language in select public high schools nationwide.
The renewed cooperation was formalized through a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed by DepEd Secretary Sonny Angara and the Republic of Korea (ROK) Education Minister Choi Kyo-Jin.
The agreement was presented to President Ferdinand R. Marcos Jr. and ROK President Lee Jae Myung during a ceremony at Malacañang Palace as part of the South Korean leader’s state visit on March 3.
Strengthening the Special Program in Foreign Languages
The renewed agreement falls under DepEd’s Special Program in Foreign Languages (SPFL), an initiative aimed at preparing Filipino students for international careers through language proficiency and cross-cultural competence.
“By renewing this partnership, we are not just teaching a new language; we are opening doors to global opportunities for our teachers and learners,” Angara said.
Launched in 2009, the SPFL offers Spanish, French, Japanese, German, Chinese, and Korean in select public secondary schools in collaboration with foreign institutions.
The SPFL-Korean program was first introduced through a memorandum of agreement signed in June 2017 between DepEd and the Embassy of the Republic of Korea. The Korean Cultural Center of the Philippines (KCC) served as the official training provider, delivering immersive cultural programs, to deepen students’ understanding of Korean heritage and language.
4,810 learners benefit in SY 2024–2025
For School Year 2024–2025, DepEd said the SPFL-Korean program was implemented in 69 public secondary schools across 13 regions, benefiting 4,810 learners. The initiative also supported the professional upskilling and Korean language training of 168 teachers.
DepEd said the newly signed MOU ensures the sustainability of the program following the expiration of the previous agreement. Under the renewed partnership, both countries will focus on curriculum development and teacher capacity building. The agreement also covers the deployment of Korean language specialists, provision of updated teaching resources, and continued institutionalization of Korean as a foreign language offering in select public high schools.
Boosting Philippines–South Korea educational ties
For DepEd, the renewal marks another milestone in Philippines–ROK bilateral relations—highlighting both countries’ shared commitment to educational innovation, cultural exchange, and global competitiveness.
With the strengthened SPFL-Korean program, DepEd aims to further equip Filipino learners with internationally recognized skills, positioning them for broader academic and career opportunities in an increasingly interconnected world. 

Related Tags

DepEd DepEd SPFL Korean language program Philippines SPFL Korean public high schools Philippines South Korea education partnership Sonny Angara DepEd Korean Cultural Center Philippines
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