The year 2026 is a landmark year for Hangeul, Korea’s writing system. It marks 100 years since the first Hangeul Day celebration and 580 years since Hunminjeongeum was proclaimed in 1446. To commemorate these anniversaries, exhibitions, festivals, and cultural programs are being prepared across Korea.

Hunminjeongeum was created under King Sejong at a time when many Koreans struggled to read and write. People had to rely on Chinese characters, which were difficult for ordinary people to master. King Sejong wanted a writing system that could represent Korean sounds more clearly and be learned more easily. The name Hunminjeongeum means “the correct sounds for instructing the people,” reflecting the purpose behind the new writing system.

Over time, Hangeul became an important symbol of Korean language and culture, leading people to honor and preserve it. In 1926, during the Japanese colonial period, Korean language scholars held the first official celebration of Hangeul. They called it Gagyanal, a name based on “ga” and “gya,” the first syllables used when learning Hangeul. During the colonial period, celebrating Hangeul also became a way to preserve Korean language and culture.

The celebration continued to evolve. In 1928, Gagyanal was renamed Hangeul Day as the word “Hangeul” became more widely recognized. Later, the discovery of the Hunminjeongeum Haeryebon in 1940 helped establish October 9th as the date of Hangeul Day.

Today, Hangeul Day celebrates the importance of literacy, identity, and communication. The National Hangeul Museum is holding exhibitions and cultural programs, while the city of Sejong will hold the Sejong Hangeul Festival from October 9th to 11th. These events show that Hangeul remains both a historical achievement and a living part of Korean culture.