Jaqueline Perez Gamboa

GSIS Newsletter, Editor

From the moment we arrive in Korea, Hangul quietly shapes our days. Behind those letters lies a story of innovation, resilience, and cultural pride. October 9th is celebrated as Hangul day, honoring the birth of one of the most remarkable alphabets in the world. 

In 1443, King Sejong the Great and a group of scholars introduced Hangul, and their mission was revolutionary. At that time, literacy was reserved for elites who used classical Chinese characters, leaving common people excluded from reading and writing. Hangul, by contrast, was designed to be accessible, scientific, and logical, enabling everyone, regardless of social status, to learn to read and express themselves. Years later Hangul became a symbol of resistance. During the Japanese colonial rule in Korea (1910-1945), when the Korean language was suppressed, Hangul became a source of cultural identity and national pride. Its survival was an act of resilience to preserve Korean history, memory, and identity. 

Internationally, Hangul is celebrated as a script for its simplicity and brilliance. UNESCO has recognized its importance by establishing the King Sejong Literacy Prize, awarded annually since 1989 to outstanding contributions in the field of literacy worldwide. In 1997, UNESCO officially recognized the Hunminjeongeum manuscript included in the Memory World Register as humanity’s cultural heritage. 

Today, thanks to the global rise of the K-culture, millions around the world are now drawn to the Korean language. According to Forbes Magazine, in 2022 the Korean language became the seventh most-studied language, and approximately 82 million people speak Korean around the world whether as a native language or not.

As we walk through the streets of Seoul, order food or coffee, read signs, study school materials, or consume media, Hangul surrounds us as an everyday companion. Celebrating Hangul day is not only about honoring the past, but also about recognizing how language continues to unite people, foster identity, and create new connections across cultures. 

For those who would like to explore more about this moment in Korean history, the Newsletter team recommends the film The King’s Letters (2019). On a lighter note, webtoons, K-dramas, and K-pop can be wonderful ways to practice reading, speaking, and listening in Korean while enjoying stories and creativity. 

This October, take a moment to appreciate Hangul, the language that allows you to navigate, connect and dream in Korean. 

https://www.forbes.com/sites/joanmacdonald/2023/12/11/interest-in-learning-korean-grows-with-the-popularity-of-the-hallyu/