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Standing in the center of Gwanghwamun Square in front of Yeongbokgung Palace is a large statue which is a must-visit tourist destination for foreign visitors to Korea. Many people like to take a photo or a stroll past this statue, which represents King Sejong the Great, the fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty. King Sejong decided to create Korea’s unique 28-letter alphabet, Hangeul, as he was greatly saddened by the fact that many illiterate Koreans could not make themselves properly understood or state their concerns. As such, Hangeul was originally called Hunminjeongeum  , meaning “the proper sounds for the instruction of the people.”

Statue of King Sejong the Great at Gwanghwamun Square

Address

• 175, Sejong-daero, Jongno-gu, Seoul

Directions

• Subway Line 5, Gwanghwamun Station, Exit 2 (1 min on foot)

A great documented heritage

Hunminjeongeum

(Source: Cultural Heritage Administration)

Hunminjeongeum (Haeryebon) is not only a great documentary heritage of Korea but also a UNESCO Memory of the World. This explanatory edition (Haeryebon) describes how the Korean language was created according to which principles. Such an explanatory document can be found only in Korea, unlike most other countries which have their own alphabet. The document contains a foreword written by King Sejong, as well as explanations of the Korean language by his scholars.

This Haeryebon edition of Hunminjeongeum was discovered in 1940 as the Japanese colonial era finally neared its end in Korea. As part of their policy to eradicate Korean culture, imperialist Japan compelled the Korean people to change their names and practice Shinto worship, and also prohibited them from using Hangeul.

As Jeon Hyeong-pil (pen-name: Kansong) realized the value of this Haeryebon edition, he paid 10,000 Korean won, which was the value of ten tiled-roof houses at that time, to acquire it. Jeon Hyeong-pil is well known for preventing a number of invaluable Korean cultural heritages from being smuggled to Japan by giving up everything he owned. At present, this Haeryebon edition of the Hunminjeongeum, designated as National Treasure No. 70, is kept at the Kangsong Art Museum in Seongbuk-gu, Seoul.

Where Hangeul fanatics go

National Hangeul Museum

The National Hangeul Museum was established in 2014 to introduce and promote Hangeul, Korea’s unique alphabet and cultural heritage. The museum displays the process of Hangeul’s development from its creation and principles, through its widespread adoption by ordinary Koreans, to the proclamation of Hanegul as the official alphabet of Joseon in 1894, and also organizes various special exhibitions related to Hangeul. It also comprises the Hangeul Learning Center, which is recommended as an excellent experience and learning space for those who want to learn Hangeul directly.

National Hangeul Museum

Address

• 139, Seobinggo-ro, Yongsan-gu, Seoul

Hours

• Mon - Fri, Sun 10:00 - 18:00 / Sat 10:00 - 21:00

Tel

• +82-2-2124-6200

Directions 

• Subway Line 4 & Gyeongui Line, Ichon Station, Exit 2 (8 mins on foot)

A public holiday

Hangeul Day

Hangeul Day was established to commemorate the creation and the proclamation of Hangeul (originally called Hunminjeongeum), which celebrates its 573rd anniversary on October 9, 2019. Hangeul Day was first designated as a public holiday for September 29 (lunar calendar) in 1926, although it was later excluded as a public holiday in 1991 as it interfered with the country’s industrial development. However, since 2013, when it was re-designated as Korea’s legal holiday, Hangeul Day has been celebrated as a public holiday.