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14431443–1446 · Seoul

King Sejong creates Hangul

Open pages of the Hunminjeongeum, printed in 1446, explaining the new Korean letters
Archival image: Government of Joseon. Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons

Koreans had written only in Chinese characters, which few outside the elite could master. King Sejong of Joseon devised a phonetic alphabet whose letters mirror the shape of the mouth when speaking, and published it in 1446 as Hunminjeongeum, 'the correct sounds for instructing the people'. Long resisted by scholars, Hangul is now the basis of near-universal literacy in Korea.

Sites

  1. Site 1: Gyeongbokgung PalaceJoseon main palace where Sejong ruled and his scholars worked.Map ↗
  2. Site 2: King Sejong statue, Gwanghwamun SquareSeated bronze king, with an exhibition hall about his reign beneath.Map ↗
  3. Site 3: National Hangeul MuseumMuseum of the alphabet's creation and history, beside the National Museum.Map ↗

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