Hangeul Today

The name Hangeul was suggested by the Korean linguist Ju Si-gyeong in the 1910s. Scholars of the Korean Language Society wrote grammars defining the standard spoken language and set forth a major revision of Hangeul orthography. These became the basis of language education after Korea's Liberation from Japanese colonial rule in 1945. In 1988 the National Academy of the Korean Language recognized some changes in the standard grammar and lexicon and in September 1990 updated the spelling of some 1,400 words. The academy has promoted the computerization of Hangeul, improving the Hangeul code and keyboard and developing new software and fonts. As the nation's standing in the international community advances, interest in the Korean language and culture is growing. Korean language textbooks and educational computer programs are being developed along with efforts to promote access to the Korean language in other countries. Hangeul originally had 28 letters, but four letters have dropped out of use. Today, 24 letters are in use, 14 consonants and 10 vowels.

The rigorous logic and scientific principles of Hangeul have impressed the linguists and intellectuals of the world. Hangeul is now widely acknowledged as the most scientific writing system in the world, not only compared with ideographic systems like Chinese but also compared with other alphabetic systems.

The high literacy rate that Korea enjoys today is mainly due to its easily learned alphabet. Appropriately enough, the prize awarded by UNESCO in recognition of contributions to the eradication of illiteracy is called the Sejong Prize. In the long run Hangeul itself will contribute to UNESCO's movement to eradicate illiteracy.