A new Internet-based Korean language dictionary will open for a trial service this week, a state think tank that developed the dictionary said Monday, amid growing demand for Korean language study among foreigners at home and abroad.

The National Institute of the Korean Language said the dictionary will become available at http://krdic.korean.go.kr, from Tuesday, the national day for commemorating King Sejong’s creation of Korean alphabet known as Hangeul.

The digital dictionary has some 50,000 entries of basic Korean words explained in simple Korean language as well as other information essential to learning the language.

The official version will be unveiled early next year after modifications and additions, according to Kim Weon-hi, a research fellow at the state institute.

The dictionary will also be available in five foreign languages

-- Vietnamese, Thai, Mongol, Russian and Malay-Indonesian, by then, Kim said. 

(Yonhap News)