I. Features of the Sejong Studies Institute

“Sejong Studies” focuses on the life work of Korea 's 15 th century scholar King Sejong (1397-1450), whose major achievement was the invention of the Korean alphabet. The original name of the Korean alphabet is Hwunmin Cengum The design principles of this alphabet are considered by contemporary linguists and speech scientists as the most rational and scientific among the writing systems in use today around the world.

However, Sejong's life work spanned far beyond even this monumental achievement. During his reign Sejong was instrumental in bringing about an age of enlightenment as he introduced countless reforms and innovations in major fields of philosophy, music, medicine, language, law, astronomy and agriculture. Koreans, long considered to have been under the tutelage of the Chinese, were able to demonstrate their creativity and consolidate their cultural identity.

As the action of UNESCO declaring Hangeul a “Memory of the World” on September 29, 1997 shows, the scientific and cultural implications of Hangeul have begun to receive international spotlight only recently. So many other cultural accomplishments of Sejong still await systematic research and re-evaluation.