Source: Government of the Republic of Korea
(unofficial translation)
Today marks the 579th anniversary of the creation of our proud alphabet, Hangeul.
Hangeul is the only alphabet in the world with a clear record of when and how it was created, and it’s still celebrated today.
Foreign scholars praise Hangeul as “the best alphabet that every language dreams of” and “the most scientific writing system in the world.” Hangeul is not only outstanding and creative but also a cultural heritage that holds the wisdom and history of our people.
In particular, democracy, equality, and the spirit of popular sovereignty are deeply embedded in Hangeul, which was created for “the people to easily learn and use in their daily lives,” despite opposition from the ruling class at the time.
A country where ordinary people can freely communicate and express themselves through Hangeul. The world Hangeul portrays is another version of a country that belongs to the people.
Hangeul is now spreading beyond Korea and reaching the world. Across 87 countries, 252 King Sejong Institutes are promoting our alphabet and culture, with 12,000 people currently on the waiting list to enroll in classes.
The Korean Wave, or Hallyu, which is capturing the hearts around the world, also stems from the power of Hangeul, a script that fully expresses our thoughts and feelings. The Republic of Korea’s dream of becoming a cultural powerhouse, where people across the globe read our novels, sing our songs, and laugh and cry watching our movies and dramas, is turning into reality through Hangeul.
Korean linguist Ju Si-gyeong once said “The key to a country’s success or failure depends on how much its people love their language.” I believe that how firmly will Hallyu takes root in the world will also depend on our love for Hangeul, the source of our culture.
Just in time, the ‘Hangeul Hanmadang’ Festival will be held from today until next Saturday, October 18th, to reflect on the value and importance of Hangeul. I hope many people participate, making it a meaningful occasion to celebrate the importance of Hangeul together.
At the heart of the Republic of Korea, a cultural powerhouse leading the world’s culture, will always be our great Hangeul, just as it is now and will be in the future.