A great man with stunning and gentle smile
Among beautiful Seoul, the capital of South Korea, where modern skyscrapers, big shopping complex, and global companies’ headquarters meet up with Hanok( traditional Korean house), traditional street markets, and ancient palaces and temples statue of King Sejong the Great is located at the center of Gwanghwamun.
King Sejong, whose epithet is “the Great” is considered to have been one of the most outstanding Korean kings of the Joseon Dynasty. He was born in 1397. His monarchy commenced at the age of 22 when his father, King Taejong, voluntarily abdicated the throne and his oldest brother, the crown prince, was recognized incompetent. The reign of King Sejong, the fourth monarch of the Joseon Dynasty, is considered to be the Golden Age of Korea.
Why does he deserve to be paid homage?
King Sejong the Great, who governed based on Confucianism, is paid homage as a compassionate, elite, generous, and honorable by Koreans and non-Koreans who love Hangeul (Korean alphabet) and Korean language as a second or third language besides their mother tongue.
There is an abridged list of his attempts led to attain the epithet “King Sejong the Great” one of the most respectful Kings in history of Korea:
1)Altering some principle of sovereignty according to Confucianism belief
2)Striving to improve the life of non-aristocrats
3)Contriving great various plans to help people who suffered during drought and flood disaster
4)Reinstating a loan system in friendly manner for farmers who have experienced doomed harvest
5)Amending harvest strategies by educating farmers with farmer’s handbook
6)Appreciating scholarship in education, economy , culture , music, philosophy, linguistics related to Korea
7)Encouraging scholars to devote their time to study by giving grants and aids
8)Creating the Korean alphabet “Hangeul” and guiding the common Korean to be educated and get rid of cumbersome Chinese terms that particularly were for a specific community in Korea.
9)King Sejong faced Hangeul condemning by some scholars and he persisted to make it progress
10)Decreasing the monks’ influence and power by reforming of land policy that resulted in temple lands being seized and redistributing foe development
11)Strengthening the infrastructure of his reign by amplifying military
12)Altering the barter system in Korean community to trade by coins
13)Preserving Korea’s territorial integrity
14)Reforming the Korean calendar system and made it based on the capital of Joseon instead of the Chinese one.
15)Improving public welfare and medicine field
16)Supervising the intention of rain gauges and water marks and invention of measuring wind speed device
17)Overseeing a portable sundial with building in compass and a precise water clock.
Would you like to learn Korean at the King Sejong institute?
Since 2007 the government of the Republic of Korea has established King Sejong institute to promote Korean language and culture abroad.
The King Sejong institute is a brilliant opportunity to get in touch with the culture of Korea. The brand’s name of this cultural organization has been inspired by King Sejong the Great because of his merit for being regarded as a legendary king for his nation.
Today, the non-profit King Sejong institutes under the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism of South Korea provide for Korea lovers in most countries all over the world the chance of following their dreams in learning Korean and attending to cultural programs related to the Republic of Korea. Furthermore October 9th is commemorated as Hangeul Day every year in South Korea to remind the importance of the Korean alphabet and paying homage to King Sejong as a national pride.
My journey through learning Korean as a third language
My passion for learning Korean began when I was at high school; At that time, unfortunately I did not know the King Sejong institute and I did not access to non of Korean learning books. After passing years, I became more keen to learn Korean alphabet and speaking Korean as a third language and I am almost ready to start my intermediate course. King Sejong institutes, around the world, give you an opportunity to attend their classes in both ways physically and via the internet. Perseverance in learning Korean is the key factor to improve your self-confidence for speaking Korean with fluency.
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