A minority tribe in Indonesia has chosen to use Korea’s “Hangeul” as its official writing system. It is the first case of the Korean alphabet being used by a foreign society.

The Hunminjeongeum Research Institute said Thursday that a tribe in the city of Bau-Bau, located in Buton, Southeast Sulawesi, has recently designated Hangeul as the official alphabet to transcribe its aboriginal language.

The city began teaching the Korean writing system to elementary students last month using a textbook written in Hangeul. The students are now learning Hangeul for about four hours per week.

The Indonesian ethnic minority, with a population of 60-thousand, was on the verge of losing its native language as it lacked a proper writing system.

Seoul National University professor Lee Ho-young, who helped create the Korean textbook for the Indonesian tribe, said he is pleased to see Hangeul help the tribe preserve its aboriginal language.