Agriculture Ministry eyes Korean culinary school for foreigners

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Published: 26 Jan. 2026, 17:39 Updated: 26 Jan. 2026, 18:01

First lady Kim Hea Kyung, second from left, makes kimchi with spouses of foreign ambassadors to Korea at a food culture center in central Seoul in this Dec. 9, 2025, file photo. [PRESIDENTIAL OFFICE]

Korea is pushing to open a culinary school specializing in Korean cuisine in the latter half of this year, the Ministry of Agriculture, Food and Rural Affairs said Monday, noting that the institute will mainly target foreigners.

The "Sura School" is expected to open after a trial run to foster K-food experts amid the soaring global popularity of the nation's food, according to the ministry.

The plan will be confirmed at a national policy coordination meeting headed by Prime Minister Kim Min-seok later this week.

"Now is the best time to expand Korean cuisine education, as the global status of Korean food has risen," Agriculture Minister Song Mi-ryung said in a press release. "Through the Sura School, we expect that Korean cuisine will establish itself as a distinct global culinary genre, moving beyond a temporary craze."

Yonhap