WRITER – PRANSHU PATEL
Editor- ARPITA JENA
A long time ago in Korea, around the 15th century, most people could not read or write. They spoke Korean language, but there was no simple way to write it down. At that time, Korean people used Chinese characters in their daily life. These characters were very hard to learn and remember, especially for people who were not educated. Only the upper-class people and scholars could understand them, those chinese characters. As a result, many common people were left out. They could not read important messages and write letters. They had to depend on scholars and upper class people for things like laws, records, or stories. King Sejong, the fourth king of the Joseon Dynasty, saw this problem and wanted to change it so, common people can read and write.
King Sejong believed that every Korean people should be able to read and write, no matter how rich or poor they were. According to him language should belong to everyone, not just to the educated or powerful but also to uneducated and weaker sections. So, he decided to create a new alphabet and language that was simple and easy to learn and write.
King Sejong worked with a group of scholars called the “Hall of Worthies” to make this writing system. He created a new script with the help of scholars that matched the way Korean is spoken. This script was finished in 1443 and made public in 1446. It was named Hunminjeongeum, which means “the correct sounds to teach the people.” Today, we call it Hangul. What made Hangul special was that it was based on the shape of the mouth, tongue, and teeth while speaking. For example, (가, 나, 다) each letter showed how a sound was made in the mouth. It was simple, logical, and easy to use. Even someone who had never learned before could learn it quickly.
But when Hangul was first introduced, not everyone liked it. Especially some rich scholars and officials wanted to keep using Chinese characters. They wanted to keep using a complex writing system in practice and didn’t want common people to understand this complex system. They even called Hangul a “vulgar script,” meaning it was too simple or low-class. But King Sejong did not give up on this idea. He believed that knowledge should be shared, and everyone deserved to learn and grow in his life.
As time passed, Hangul began to show its true value. People used it to write letters, poems, and books. This made education more available to every common people. During the 20th century, when Japan took control over Korea, the Japanese tried to ban the Korean language. But Korean people continued to use Hangul in secret. Writing in Hangul became a way to fight back and keep their culture alive. It gave Korean people a sense of pride and hope for their culture and language.
King Sejong is not only known for creating Hangul. He also worked to make Korea a better place in many other possible ways. He encouraged science and technology. He had tools like water clocks and sundials made to help people keep time and work efficiently. He also helped farmers by improving farming methods and making calendars more accurately. He made changes to the law so that punishments would become more fairer. He helped people during famines and supported local health care facilities for the commoners. Medical books were translated into Korean language. so, that doctors could understand them and save lives of more people.
King Sejong ruled with kindness and wisdom in his Era. He carres deeply about his people. He wanted everyone to have the chance to live a better life. King Sejong time as king is remembered as a golden age of progress, fairness, and learning. He always worked for the betterment of his people.
Today, Hangul is loved and respected not only in Korea but around the world. Experts says it is one of the most scientific and easy-to-learn writing systems. Every year on October 9, South Korea celebrates Hangul Day. This day honors King Sejong’s dream—to give the gift of language to all people, no matter who they are and from where the came from. Today korean language is the most popular among the people as learning language.
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