1. Prof. Gari K. Ledyard's Comment

 “One of the most unique and interesting features of the Korean alphabet is the strict correspondence it shows between graphic shape and graphic function. Not only are the shapes of the consonants of a pattern different from those of the vowels, but even within these two main groups the shapes decided upon by Sejong clarify other important relationships. In the consonants there is a correlation between letter shape and consonant classes, and in the vowels the back and mid groups are strictly and systematically separated. No other alphabet in the world is so beautiful, sensible and rational.” (Ledyard , 1966, pp. 199-200)

“It is really impossible to withhold admiration for this conception of a shape-function relationship and the way it was carried out. There is nothing like it in all the long and varied history of writing. It would be quite enough merely to have the systematic shapes within classes. But for those shapes themselves to be rationalized on the basis of the speech organs associated with their sounds ... that is unparalleled grammatological luxury! The Korean phonologists were skillful indeed, but they were not lacking in creative imagination, either.” (Ledyard, 1966, p. 203)

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Dr. Gari K. Ledyard, King Sejong Professor of East-Asian History Emeritus; Director of the Center for Korean Research at Columbia University . Author of “ The Korean Language Reform of 1446” Seoul , 1997