IRVINE, Calif., Nov. 5, 2026 — Korean American Center (KAC) has earned Accreditation with Merit from Cognia, one of the world’s leading educational accreditation organizations, amid a more than 400% surge in Korean language enrollment. Awarded by the Cognia Global Commission on October 30, the recognition makes KAC the only Korean language institute in the United States to hold accreditation from both Cognia and the Accrediting Commission for Schools, Western Association of Schools and Colleges (WASC).
Enrollment has surged more than 400% over the past year, with more than 1,200 students from all 50 states and Puerto Rico enrolled this semester alone. As the Korean Wave sparks growing interest in learning Korean, the Irvine-based nonprofit now reaches students across all 50 states and sets a new standard for Korean language education in the United States.
“The growing interest in Korean language and culture presents an extraordinary opportunity,” said Tammy Kim, Executive Director of the Korean American Center. “Earning Accreditation with Merit from Cognia validates the work our teachers do every day and ensures our students — from heritage learners reconnecting with their roots to adult learners inspired by K-culture — receive an education that meets the highest national standards.”
“It’s exciting to see so many people discovering the Korean language through K-pop and the Korean Wave, but it’s great teachers who turn that initial curiosity into meaningful language skills,” said Sunny Paek, Principal and Lead Instructor at KAC.
About Cognia: Cognia is a global nonprofit that accredits approximately 40,000 institutions across more than 100 countries. Its Accredited with Merit status recognizes institutions that meet or exceed quality standards and demonstrate strong student performance outcomes.
KAC is listed among the institutions honored on Cognia’s official Accreditation with Honors page.
About King Sejong Institute: Korean American Center operates the Irvine King Sejong Institute, designated by the South Korean government as part of its global network for Korean language and culture education.
About Korean American Center: Korean American Center is a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization based in Irvine, California, dedicated to Korean language and cultural education. KAC is the only Korean language institute in the United States accredited by both Cognia and WASC, and is a designated King Sejong Institute. More at koreanamericancenter.org.
Media contact: Gina Lim, Korean American Center, 949-337-0700, [email protected]
Official wire version: PRWeb press release (Nov. 5, 2026).
