WRITTEN BY Emily Kim

Every year on October 9, South Korea celebrates Hangul Day, marking the moment when King Sejong the Great, the fourth monarch of the Joseon Dynasty, proclaimed 훈민정음(Hunminjeongeum) which was the original name for Hangul in 1446. 

The term Hunminjeongeum means “the correct sounds for teaching the people.” Although the system was first created in 1443, it was refined through three years of testing before its official announcement.

What makes Hangul remarkable is its scientific foundation. King Sejong and his scholars designed each letter by analyzing the human speech vocal chords then imitating their shapes. Because of this systematic approach, almost every Korean sound can be represented precisely. Records of its creation remain preserved in books, which outline the principles behind the writing system. In recognition of its cultural and linguistic value, UNESCO registered Hunminjeongeum as part of the Memory of the World Heritage in 1997.

Modern Hangul consists of 14 consonants and 10 vowels, combined to form syllables and words. Originally, however, Hunminjeongeum had 28 letters. Over time, four became obsolete, leaving the 24 letters Koreans use today. Before its invention, Koreans relied on Hanja, which had developed from oracle bone inscriptions about 3,000 years ago. These characters, carved onto turtle shells and animal bones, gradually evolved into modern Chinese script.

To understand how Korean students today view the relationship between Hangul and Hanja characters, Jimin Lee, a student at Las Lomas High School, talked about her experience while growing up in Korea.

“I didn’t really learn them at school, but I studied at an academy,” Jimin said. “My mom enrolled me in classes when I was in elementary school. She thought it was like learning Spanish here, it’s another language. Since Hanja is the foundation from which Hangul was created, she wanted me to learn them. It also helps with understanding idioms and the Korean language.”

Historically, literacy was a privilege reserved only for the elite. While noble classes studied Hanja, most commoners were unable to read or write. King Sejong’s motivation for creating Hunminjeongeum was to empower ordinary people with a writing system that was simple, accessible, and practical, ultimately improving their quality of life.

When asked whether Hanja is easier for Koreans to learn, Jimin said, “Not really. Hanja is written in so many different ways it’s hard to master. But they do make four character idioms easier to understand. For example, one of my favorite ones is Jihyejiji (to know wisdom and knowledge). Once you know the meaning of the characters, the idioms make sense immediately.”

Jimin also reflected on life as a bilingual student. “I don’t think mixing languages is a big problem,” Jimin said. “Sometimes, if I get stuck speaking English, I’ll add Korean words. But I don’t mind because it still gets my thoughts across.”

Today, Hangul’s reach extends far beyond Korea. It has become amongst the globally recognized writing systems. Many learners can grasp the basics of reading and writing within just a few hours.

Hangul Day is more than a commemoration of a historical proclamation. It is a celebration of an alphabet that has empowered a nation and bridged cultures with its beauty and simplicity.