* Native speakers: Around 77 million people speak Korean as their native language. This number primarily reflects the population of South Korea and North Korea.
* Total speakers: This number is much higher, encompassing native speakers and those who speak Korean as a second language. Estimates range from 78 million to 80 million, including speakers in countries like China, Japan, the United States, and Canada.
It's important to note that:
* North Korean language data is unreliable: Accessing accurate information about North Korea is challenging, so the number of speakers there is an estimate.
* Korean diaspora: The number of Korean speakers in other countries is growing as the Korean diaspora expands.
* Language learning: Korean is becoming increasingly popular as a second language, particularly in countries with strong cultural ties to Korea.
While a precise number is difficult to pinpoint, it's safe to say that well over 77 million people speak Korean worldwide.