Efforts to Keep Hangeul

The creation of an alphabet to express Korean not only made using language more convenient for people, but also contributed to the accumulation and development of culture. After the creation of Hunminjeongeum, remember that the elite class continued to oppose it, look down on it, and refuse to accept it. However because Hunminjeoneum was so easy to learn, uneducated women and commoners started using it and helped spread it. Later, even the King and elites also began to write letters and other documents with it. In other words, Hangeul was a way to record the tradition and culture of the common Korean people.

That is why when Korea was under Japanese colonial rule, Japan prohibited the use of Hangeul and Korean. Forbidding an alphabet is not just eliminating a writing system, it is also a way to destroy a country’s culture and heritage. Knowing this, many Korean scholars worked hard to protect and preserve Korean.

The Korean scholar Ju Si-gyeong who named gave “Hangeul” the name “Hangeul” was one of these independence movement leaders. Another rich Korean invested his own money to save and preserve the Hunminjeongeum Haerye from being sold to Japan. Thanks to those who worked to protect Hangeul, we are able to use such a scientific and easy writing system today.