훈민정음: 세종의 선물 편집하기 (부분)

===Eng===
'''Hunminjeongeum: King Sejong’s Gift to the People'''

Hunminjeongeum, meaning “The Proper Sounds for the Instruction of the People,” is Korea’s indigenous writing system created in 1443 by King Sejong (r. 1418-1450), the fourth monarch of the Joseon dynasty (1392-1910). Hunminjeongeum represents a unique phenomenon in world linguistic history: it is the only writing system whose creator, purpose, and underlying principles are explicitly documented. King Sejong designed this script for common people who, unable to read or write Chinese characters, faced barriers in communication and access to knowledge.

King Sejong accomplished an unprecedented feat—a monarch creating an entirely new writing system for his people. During this period, Korea used Chinese characters (<i>hanja</i>) as the sole official script, and the vast majority of the population remained illiterate, excluded from legal, administrative, and educational spheres. Deeply troubled by this reality, Sejong resolved to create a script that anyone could easily learn and use. This endeavor transcended mere orthographic innovation; it embodied a revolutionary humanistic philosophy asserting that all people possess the right to education and communication.

In developing Hunminjeongeum, King Sejong collaborated closely with scholars from the Hall of Worthies (Jiphyeonjeon), an academic research institution he had established. The Hall of Worthies gathered the era’s finest scholars, including Jeong In-ji, Choe Hang, Bak Paeng-nyeon, and Sin Suk-ju. In 1446, the <i>Hunminjeongeum Haeryebon</i> (Explanatory Edition of The Proper Sounds for the Instruction of the People) was promulgated, providing detailed explanations of the script’s creation principles and usage. This book, currently designated as a National Treasure and housed in the Kansong Art Museum, was inscribed on UNESCO’s Memory of the World Register in 1997, recognizing its universal value.

Following its creation, Hunminjeongeum became known as Hangeul and revolutionized Korean literacy. Today, Hangeul receives worldwide acclaim as a scientific and easily learned writing system, standing as a cultural heritage symbolizing King Sejong’s love for his people and creative leadership.