President Lee Jae-myung emphasized on Hangeul Day that "writing is the face of a nation, and language is its heart," stating that "the power of our language and writing is South Korea's competitiveness."
In a Facebook post, President Lee reflected on the historical significance of the 580th anniversary of King Sejong's proclamation of Hangeul and the 100th anniversary of the first establishment of 'Gagya Day' in 1926, highlighting the historical value of Hangeul.
He noted, "A century ago, our ancestors devoted themselves to preserving our language and writing," recalling that many pioneers, including educator Ju Si-gyeong, researched, recorded, and taught the Korean language despite the oppression of Japanese colonial rule. This was a testament to their determination to retain their spirit and identity even after losing their country.
He added, "We now freely use the Hangeul that our ancestors preserved," stating that since the liberation, Hangeul has supported South Korea's growth and development.
President Lee also highlighted the global spread of Hangeul, saying, "Hangeul has become a script that people around the world learn and love," noting that the Sejong Institute, which started in 2007 in three countries at 13 locations, has expanded to 273 locations in 89 countries this year.
He concluded, "I sincerely celebrate the 100th anniversary of Hangeul Day. If the past 100 years were a time to preserve Hangeul and root it in our lives, the next 100 years will be a time to broaden the possibilities of Hangeul. I believe the people will continue to unite in their love for Hangeul to maintain South Korea as a cultural powerhouse."
* This article has been translated by AI.
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