This academic journal was first published in 1974 by Yonsei University Korean Language Institute to commemorate its 15th anniversary, with the dual purpose of advancing both Korean language education and research. It is a specialized academic journal in the field of teaching Korean as a foreign language, boasting nearly half a century of history. Originally published under the name Eoneo Munhwa (Language and Culture) in 1974, the journal was renamed Mal (Speech) in 1977 and became specialized as an academic journal focused on Korean language and Korean language education, serving as a platform for scholarly discourse and public discussion for researchers in the field. At a time when Korean language education as an academic discipline was still in its infancy, this journal played a significant role in establishing the field as a recognized area of study.
In 2001, as academic discussions on Korean language education became more active, the journal was rebranded as Korean Language Education as a Foreign Language to reflect its focus as a specialized academic journal in this area. Since then, it has evolved into a publication where interdisciplinary research on teaching Korean as a foreign language and studies reflecting practical experiences from the field coexist.
