The Korea Foundation launched the 2006 Korean Language Training Program for Foreign Affairs Officials at the Language Education Institute in Seoul National University for 12 months from March 13, 2006. In 2005, this program was established in order to provide the diplomats and officials of overseas trade ministries all over the world with the special training on Korea, as well as the Korean language so that they play an active part in the international diplomatic world. This year, 20 diplomats from African, Middle Eastern, South-Eastern Asian, and CIS countries have participated in this program. They will have Korean language training, the lectures on Korean studies, and various kinds of field studies relating to Korean society and culture.