Jakarta:President Lee Jae Myung praised the Korean writing system, Hangeul, as the "face" of the nation during the 100th anniversary of Hangeul Day.
According to Yonhap News Agency, President Lee emphasized the significance of Hangeul, stating on Facebook that "writing is the face of the country and language is its heart." He underscored the importance of the Korean language and writing in enhancing the Republic of Korea's competitiveness.
Hangeul was created by King Sejong of the Joseon Dynasty in 1443 and was introduced three years later to complement the existing Chinese script-based writing system. The Korean Language Society established Hangeul Day in 1926 to preserve the language and writing system during the harsh Japanese colonial rule from 1910 to 1945.
President Lee highlighted the dedication of past generations to safeguard their language and writing system despite losing their country, viewing it as crucial to maintaining their spirit and identity. He also noted the global reach of the writing system, as the King Sejong Institute, which promotes Korean language learning, has expanded to 89 countries since its inception in 2007.
He concluded by expressing optimism for the future, stating that while the past century was focused on protecting and integrating Hangeul into daily life, the coming century will be about expanding its possibilities.