South Korea celebrates its 579th Hangul Day.

Hangul is the national Korean language, created and established by 15th century King Sejong the Great. The South Korean government created the commemorative day in 1970.

 

Hangul Alphabet
Issued by South Korea in 2021
Designed by Ryu Ji-Hyeong

Hangul Day is more than a celebration; it is an homage to the ingenuity and perseverance embedded in the history of Korea’s unique writing system. Hangul, created by King Sejong and his scholars in the 15th century, represents a major cultural milestone. This day not only commemorates the language’s origins and development but also highlights its ongoing cultural significance and relevance. As we delve into the traditions and customs that mark this important occasion, we acknowledge the role Hangul plays in preserving Korean identity and enhancing communication in the modern era.
The History and Significance of Hangul Day​ – Everything Korea

A number of events are set for this week, including a conference titled The Possibilities and Challenges of Hangul and Korean Language Development in the Digital Revolution Era
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Hangul was developed during the Joseon Dynasty, under the enlightened reign of King Sejong the Great in the 15th century. Prior to its invention, the Korean people relied heavily on Classical Chinese (Hanja) for written communication. This reliance was problematic, as only the elite and scholarly classes were proficient in Hanja, making literacy inaccessible to the common people. Thus, King Sejong sought to create an accessible and easy-to-learn script, and so, in 1443, the project to develop Hangul was initiated by the Hall of Worthies, a royal research institute. What culminated in 1446 with the promulgation of “Hunmin Jeongeum” (The Correct Sounds for the Instruction of the People) was nothing short of revolutionary.(ibid)

 

2024 was a great SOD day – we celebrated the UPU’s birthday!