* Different definitions of "speaker": Do we count only native speakers? What about those who speak Korean as a second language?
* Varying data sources: Different organizations may use different methodologies for collecting and reporting data.
* Fluctuations: The number of speakers can change over time due to migration, education, and other factors.
However, based on various estimates, the number of Korean speakers worldwide is thought to be around 77 million.
This includes:
* Native speakers in South Korea: About 50 million.
* Native speakers in North Korea: About 25 million.
* Korean speakers in other countries: Around 2 million, including those in the United States, China, Japan, and other nations with significant Korean diaspora communities.
Keep in mind that this number is an approximation, and the actual number of Korean speakers could be higher or lower depending on the definition used and data availability.