KBS World Radio, the overseas broadcasting arm of the Korean Broadcasting System (KBS), will be awarded a presidential citation in recognition of its efforts to propagate the Korean language abroad.

The broadcaster will be awarded the honor on “Hangeul Day” Friday at a ceremony marking the 563rd anniversary of the creation of the Korean Hangeul alphabet.

Over the past two years, KBS WORLD Radio has published 22-thousand books and 45-thousand CDs for its “Let’s Learn Korean” program in ten languages, including English, Chinese, Russian, Arabic and Vietnamese.

The “Let’s Learn Korean” books are the first Korean language learning materials in the nation to be printed in ten languages. The “Let’s Learn Korean” program is KBS WORLD Radio’s fifth project aimed at promoting the Korean language across the globe.

Since 1988, KBS World Radio has distributed 140-thousand Korean language textbooks and 62-thousand CDs and cassette tapes to overseas listeners.

KBS WORLD Radio has been airing Korean learning programs in ten languages since 1965. It also provides Korean language lessons on its Web site (http://world.kbs.co.kr).

An official at the broadcaster said avid fans of the program have sent letters they wrote themselves in Korean to KBS which, the official says, is an example of the tangible results KBS WORLD Radio has reaped in its efforts to globalize the Korean language.

The official added that the broadcaster’s projects to promote Korean are likely to boost national competitiveness by facilitating communication skills of foreigners visiting Korea and enhancing Korea’s image abroad.