The number of non-Koreans learning the Korean language has seen a significant increase, due to the popularity of Korean pop culture.
In Cambodia, there is a Korean language learning fever amongst young people.
Todd Thacker reports.

[slug] Phnom Penh, Cambodia

This is Cambodia. For centuries the Mekong River has flowed through the central eastern portion of the region and the Khmer Empire.
At the Royal University of Phnom Penh, the nation’s oldest university, a classroom is packed with eager, inquisitive minds.

[slug] Established in 2007, the Department of Korean is popular

The university boasts 20,000 students in 26 departments. Lectures in the Department of Korean, which was created in 2007, are some of the most popular.

INTERVIEW
Chrung Srabe / Student, Royal University of Phnom Penh
I’m learning Korean because I want to work for a Korean company in Cambodia.
[인터뷰 쯔렁 쓰라베 / 프놈펜왕립대 재학생]
"캄보디아에 있는 한국회사에서 1년이나 2년 정도 일하고 싶어서 (공부합니다.)"

[slug] Trade between Korea and Cambodia is growing

As the volume of trade between the two countries grows and Korean pop culture makes its mark here, Korean is now the No. 1 foreign language at the university.

INTERVIEW
Sling / Student, Royal University of Phnom Penh
I’ve become interested in the Korean language. I take Korean classes on a scholarship.
[인터뷰 슬링 / 프놈펜왕립대 재학생 ]
"한국어에 관심이 생겼습니다. 그래서 장학금을 받아서 한국어를 공부하고 있습니다."

[slug] Tens of thousands of Cambodians take the Korean language proficiency test every year

And with more and more young Cambodians seeking jobs in Korea, tens of thousands of people take the Korean language proficiency test every year.

INTERVIEW
Park Jae-hui / Professor, Department of Korean, Royal University of Phnom Penh
The biggest demand for Korean language learning is from young people who want to work in Korea. Between 30,000 and 40,000 take the proficiency test here. Even in rural areas, we can meet people learning Korean.
[인터뷰 박재희 / 프놈펜왕립대 한국어학과 교수 ]
"아무래도 가장 많은 수요는 한국에 근로자로 가기 위한 수요거든요. 매년 근로자 취업 시험에 3만 명에서 4만 명이 응시해서 전국적으로 지방이나 시골에 가더라도 (한국어를) 공부하고 있고...  "

[slug] KOICA operates Kor-Cam Cooperation Center

The Korea International Cooperation Agency (KOICA), which is in charge of all official governmental development assistance projects, has run the Korea-Cambodia Cooperation Center on campus since 2013. It provides cultural experience programs and education opportunities to students.

[slug] Korea is first among young Cambodian job seekers
Korea ranks as the most sought after place of employment among young Cambodians. Japan and Thailand follow.

INTERVIEW
Yeo Dong-su / Human Resources and Development Service of Korea
I believe that Cambodians prefer Korea to their neighboring country of Thailand, or Japan, as public awareness regarding labor rights and human rights has improved significantly in Korea.
[인터뷰 여동수 / 한국산업인력공단 캄보디아 EPS센터 지사장 ]
"(한국이) 근로자 보호, 인권 존중에 대한 (인식) 부분이 널리 확산됐기 때문에 인근 국가인 태국이나 우리와 산업 발전 정도가 유사한 일본보다 캄보디아 사람들은 한국을 선호하고 있다고 생각합니다."

[Reporter] Todd Thacker
[Camera] Kim Yong-min

Along with strengthening economic and cultural ties, there are a growing number of international marriages being recorded between the two countries. At this rate, enthusiasm for Korean language learning is not expected to cool down anytime soon.

Todd Thacker, KCTV