The advocacy of the Korean Alphabet as a world writing system has largely been focused on the suitability of Hangul 1 for representing the sound systems of other languages. But it is not the mechanics of the writing system that gives it universal significance. Rather, it is the story of Hangul’s creation. The invention represents human values that belong not just to Korea, but to all of humankind in our modern world. One of those universal values is the application of rational thought and the scientific method, documented in detail almost never seen in pre- modern times. The other universal value is concern for the disadvantaged. In an elitist, aristocratic world, Sejong was a passionate advocate of universal literacy. His advocacy is seen not only in the Hunmin chŏngŭm of 1446, but even more strongly in his earlier writings in the Samgang haengsil to of 1434. Moreover, in that earlier text he advocated extending literacy not only to the common man, but to women and girls as well.
1. Introduction
2. Hangul beyond Korea
3. Recognizing Korean Alphabet Day
4. Hangul’s Graphic Structure
5. World View and Compassion
6. Hangul and Korean Alphabet Day Celebrate Universal Human Qualities
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