Seoul to mark Hangeul Day centennial at Gwanghwamun Square

Seoul will turn Gwanghwamun Square into a celebration of Korea’s written language Friday, marking 100 years since Hangeul Day was established with exhibitions, hands-on activities and performances. The Seoul Metropolitan Government will host Seoul Buzzes With Hangeul from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Oct. 9 at the square’s Nori Madang, beside the statue of King Sejong. The event marks the centennial of Hangeul Day and 580 years since the publication of "Hunminjeongeum," while revisiting the square’s long association with King Sejong and Hangeul. The statue was unveiled on Oct. 9, 2009, and Seoul opened Sejong Story, an exhibition space beneath it detailing King Sejong’s life and the creation of Hangul. The exhibition hall was later expanded to include Admiral Yi Sun-sin and is now operated as Sejong and Chungmugong Story. Following Gwanghwamun Square’s reopening in 2022, Seoul added Hangeul Fountain, which uses water streams to depict consonants and vowels based on Hangeul’s “cheonjiin” principle. Friday’s program will include displays on commonly misunderstood Korean expressions