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Journals / Şarkiyat Mecmuası / 2026 / Sayı: 48

Beyond Pop Culture: Korean Language Education as a Soft Power Instrument in Türkiye

Popüler Kültürün Ötesinde: Bir Yumuşak Güç Aracı Olarak Türkiye’de Korece Eğitimi

Özlem Gökçe(Ankara Üniversitesi)0000-0002-5782-1657
Pages
368–391
Publication Date
2026-05-04
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AI Summary & Key Takeaways

AI Insight
⚡ TL;DR(Too Long; Didn't Read)

The findings indicate that while initial interest in the Korean language in Turkey was sparked by the hallyu effect, this interest has gained a more sustainable and long-term quality due to comprehensive policies integrated with institutional-level education and assessment systems.

📌 3 Key Takeaways

🎯
Objective & Hypothesis:This study investigates how the Korean language functions as a soft power tool within the unique cultural and geopolitical context of Turkey.
📊
Key Findings & Data:While prior scholarship generally addressed Korean language education in Turkey from historical and pedagogical perspectives, this investigation is the first to examine the topic through the lens of language policy and soft power strategy.
💡
Conclusion & Impact:The findings indicate that while initial interest in the Korean language in Turkey was sparked by the hallyu effect, this interest has gained a more sustainable and long-term quality due to comprehensive policies integrated with institutional-level education and assessment systems.
🔬Design:Araştırma Makalesi
📍Scope:Comprehensive Sample
⚙️Variables:Yumuşak Güç · Kore’nin Yumuşak Gücü · Türkiye’de Korece Eğitimi

Abstract

This study investigates how the Korean language functions as a soft power tool within the unique cultural and geopolitical context of Turkey. Grounded in Joseph Nye’s soft power theory, the research analyzes the Korean government’s policies for promoting its national language specifically in the Turkish context, leveraging the global rise of hallyu and the surge in interest in Korean culture. While prior scholarship generally addressed Korean language education in Turkey from historical and pedagogical perspectives, this investigation is the first to examine the topic through the lens of language policy and soft power strategy. Consequently, the study reveals that Korean language education in Türkiye transcends instructional activity and serves as a vital component of South Korea’s cultural diplomacy strategy. Using qualitative document analysis, the research evaluates the activities and objectives of various ministries and affiliated agencies of the Korean government. This involved official reports, strategic plans, and statistical data regarding their Korean language education efforts in Turkey. The findings indicate that while initial interest in the Korean language in Turkey was sparked by the hallyu effect, this interest has gained a more sustainable and long-term quality due to comprehensive policies integrated with institutional-level education and assessment systems. By incorporating the Turkish case into the literature on language policy and soft power, this study addresses a significant gap in the existing scholarship.

Özet

Bu çalışma, Kore dilinin Türkiye’nin özgün kültürel ve jeopolitik bağlamında bir yumuşak güç aracı olarak nasıl işlev gördüğünü incelemektedir. Joseph Nye’ın yumuşak güç kuramına dayanan araştırma, hallyu’nun küresel yükselişi ve Kore kültürüne artan ilgi bağlamında Kore’nin ulusal dilini Türkiye bağlamında tanıtma politikalarını analiz etmektedir. Önceki çalışmalar Türkiye’deki Korece eğitimini genellikle tarihsel ve pedagojik yönleriyle ele alırken, bu araştırma konuyu ilk kez dil politikaları ve yumuşak güç perspektifinden incelemektedir. Böylece çalışma, Korece eğitiminin Türkiye’de yalnızca bir öğretim faaliyeti olmanın ötesine geçerek, Kore’nin kültürel diplomasi stratejisinin bir parçası olarak nasıl işlev gördüğünü ortaya koymaktadır. Doküman analizi yöntemiyle Kore hükümetine bağlı çeşitli bakanlıkların ve kurumların yayımladığı resmî raporlar, stratejik planlar ve istatistiksel veriler incelenerek bu kurumların Türkiye’deki Korece eğitimiyle ilgili faaliyetleri ve hedefleri değerlendirilmiştir. Türkiye’de Koreceye olan ilginin başlangıçta hallyu etkisiyle ortaya çıktığı, ancak kurumsal düzeyde eğitim ve ölçme değerlendirme sistemleriyle entegre bütüncül politikalar sayesinde daha sürdürülebilir ve uzun vadeli bir nitelik kazandığı sonucuna ulaşılmıştır. Bu yönüyle çalışma, Türkiye örneğini dil politikası ve yumuşak güç literatürüne dâhil ederek önemli bir boşluğu doldurmaktadır.

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Cite This Article

Gökçe, Ö., *, Ö. G. (2026). Beyond Pop Culture: Korean Language Education as a Soft Power Instrument in Türkiye. Şarkiyat Mecmuası, Sayı: 48, 368–391. https://doi.org/10.26650/jos.1815637

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