Sejong the Great

Sejong the Great was the fourth king of Korea’s Joseon dynasty, reigning from 1418 to 1450. He sponsored Hangul’s creation and advanced scholarship, administration, and technology.

Hangul: The Korean writing system, whose alphabetic letters represent speech sounds and are arranged into syllable blocks. Sejong sponsored its creation to make writing accessible beyond the literate elite.
Hall of Worthies: A Joseon royal research institute established in 1420 to support scholarship and advise the throne. Sejong used its scholars to compile works and support state projects.
Jang Yeong-sil: A Joseon inventor and engineer who served at Sejong’s court. He led or contributed to instruments and devices commissioned during Sejong’s reign.
Queen Soheon: The queen consort of Sejong and mother of his successor, Munjong. She was a central member of the royal household during Sejong’s reign.
Hunminjeongeum: The 1446 document introducing Hangul and explaining its letters and principles. It records the alphabet’s official promulgation under Sejong.
Jiphyeonjeon: The Korean name for the Hall of Worthies, a scholarly institute founded under King Sejong. The institute’s scholars helped develop and explain Hangul.
Korean astronomical instruments: Instruments developed in Korea to observe celestial movements and measure time. Sejong’s court sponsored devices such as water clocks and astronomical instruments.
Choe Man-ri: A Joseon scholar-official who opposed the creation and promulgation of Hangul. His memorial articulates elite objections to replacing established Chinese literacy practices.
Korean literacy: The ability to read and write Korean using its writing systems. Hangul provided a writing system more accessible than classical Chinese for many Koreans.
Joseon civil service examination: A state examination system selecting officials through tests grounded largely in Confucian learning. Sejong’s government relied on trained scholar-officials to administer reforms.

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