A short look at the Korean Writing System: Hangul
To mark the 577th Hangeul Day on Oct. 9, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will host a wide variety of events in and out of the country. South Korea is one of the few countries in the world to celebrate its writing system.
Hangeul, also spelled as Hangul, is the writing system used for the Korean language. It was created during the 15th century by King Sejong the Great and his scholars in Korea as a way to provide a more accessible and efficient means of writing for the Korean people. Hangeul is known for its unique and systematic design, which is based on the principles of phonetics, making it relatively easy to learn and use.
Hangeul is still the official writing system for Korean today and is used in both North and South Korea. It has been praised for its simplicity and efficiency, making it accessible to a wide range of people and contributing to high literacy rates in Korea.
In South Korea, the National Hangeul Museum will host activities like the Hangeul Font Fashion Show, "Hangeul Break Dance," where dancers use Korean letters in choreography, and interactive programs for making bookmarks and Hangeul neon signs. From October 7th to 9th, the National Museum of World Writing Systems in Incheon will hold events with the theme "Rendezvous with Hangeul," featuring programs like creating miniatures of King Sejong the Great and eco-friendly bags featuring Hunminjeongeum, a 15th-century Hangeul textbook.
The King Sejong Institute Foundation will invite outstanding students from global branches for a travel program focusing on Korean history and culture, along with a K-pop concert. The King Sejong Institute Korean Writing & Speech Contest 2023 winner will also be awarded by the culture minister on October 10th.
Korean Cultural Centers (KCC) worldwide will participate in the celebration, with the KCC in Los Angeles hosting an Online Korean Poetry Recitation Contest and the KCC in Osaka, Japan, organizing an exhibition of Hangeul-based products and cultural goods until October 21st. Additionally, King Sejong Institute branches in 74 countries will offer various programs, including Hangeul writing by hand and quizzes on Korean culture. These events collectively aim to honor Hangeul, the Korean writing system, and promote its significance in both Korea and around the world.
By: Ayça Şahin
Source: korea.net . economist.com
