Dankook University has designated foreign language studies—centered on regional research across twelve language departments—as a strategic academic focus.

From 2018 to 2024, the initiative was jointly operated with Chungwoon University as part of a consortium.

Since 2025, Dankook University has assumed full responsibility for its independent operation.

Currently, four departments—Mongolian Studies, Middle Eastern Studies, Portuguese-Brazilian Studies, and Vietnamese Studies—are participating in the Critical Foreign Language Education Promotion Project.

The project seeks to position Dankook University as a central hub for specialized foreign language education in the central region of Korea, contribute to the emergence of a new cultural renaissance through the advancement of less commonly taught languages, enhance global competitiveness, develop advanced smart learning infrastructure, and strengthen national capabilities by cultivating and expanding market demand in the field of critical foreign languages.

Busan University of Foreign Studies has established a specialized educational institution under the name of CFL (Critical Foreign Language). This project includes 8 foreign languages of ‘Thai’, ‘Indonesian and Bahasa Malay’, ‘Vietnamese’, ‘Myanmar’, ‘Khmer’, ‘Arabic’, ‘Hindi’, and ‘Turkish’.

The Institute of Critical Foreign Languages (ICFL) under the supervision of The Organization of Critical Foreign Languages focuses on general operation and management.

The main objective of ICFL lies not only on building educational platform for CFL base expansion and providing various professional education opportunities for critical foreign language learners, but also focuses on leading local globalization in Southeast Korea by fostering critical foreign language experts.

Hankuk University of Foreign Studies (HUFS) was founded in 1954 under the mission of excelling in foreign language education.Today, HUFS students and graduates are recognized not only for their outstanding language proficiency, but also for their advanced skills in localization and public diplomacy.With courses covering 45 languages, HUFS is addressing the growing demand for critical foreign language expertise across various sectors, both in Korea and abroad.The university is particularly committed to developing specialists in 21 critical foreign languages, preparing them to meet societal needs and contribute to national development.Building on this foundation, the HUFS Center for Critical Foreign Languages Education offers a wide range of services to the public.The center plays a key role in translation, interpretation, and educational support, especially to national institutions and young people from migrant backgrounds.