Auburn to Open Korea Center with Taekwondo, Dance, Music Performances

AUBURN – Auburn University will celebrate the opening of its new center for Korean culture and language education with music, dance and Taekwondo performances on Thursday, Aug. 30, at 4 p.m. in the Foy Hall auditorium.

The new Auburn University-Keimyung University Korea Center will provide students, faculty, staff and the wider Auburn community with an avenue to better understand and connect with Auburn's growing Korean and Korean-American population through language and culture instruction. Non-credit classes in Korean language and culture will begin later this fall and will be taught by a visiting instructor from Keimyung University, which is located in Daegu, South Korea.

"Korean language has an important place in our community due to the growing presence of Korean-based industries in Alabama," said Andrew Gillespie, assistant vice president of Auburn's Office of International Programs. "Your neighbors, your children's school friends and you coworkers may be fluent in Korean, and learning those language skills can provide a definite edge in the job market in this state and globally."

The three Keimyung University groups scheduled to perform during the opening ceremony represent some of the best of South Korea's renowned artistic talent.

The Keimyung University Taekwondo Demonstration Team was founded in 1998 and has conducted demonstrations in Korea and across the globe ever since, including a display at the 2011 World Taekwondo Championship. In 2008, the team was awarded a special commendation by President George W. Bush.

Grandmaster Lee Kyu-hyung, who directed Taekwondo demonstrations at the opening ceremony of the 1988 Olympic Games in Seoul, leads the team.

Keimyung University's Korean Traditional Dance Team was established in 1984 and is comprised of both students and alumni. The team has performed across North America, Europe and Asia to further its goal of advancing recognition of Korean traditional dance worldwide

The Keimyung University String Quartet consists of outstanding senior students drawn from the Keimyung Chamber Ensemble.

A reception in the Foy Hall lobby will follow the opening ceremony. The ceremony and reception is free and open to the public. For more information, please contact Jennifer Mason in the Office of International Programs at jlm0061@auburn.edu or 334-844-5027. Information about this event and Auburn's other international programs can be found at www.auburn.edu/international.

Last Updated: August 23, 2012