Prime Minister Kim Min-seok said on the 9th, "We will further expand the King Sejong Institute so that more people around the world can learn the Korean language and Korean culture, and we will support the development, exhibition, and promotion of products that use Hangeul."
At the Hangeul Day celebration marking the 579th anniversary held at the Sejong Center in Jongno District, Seoul, that day, Kim said, "Today, the Korean language and Hangeul are the source of 'K-culture.'" He added, "The government will work with the people so that the Korean language and Hangeul become the words and script that share culture and lead the future."
He said, "The delicate and rich expressiveness of our language and script has played a major role in connecting with fans around the world through the lyrics of K-pop and in conveying emotion through K-dramas and films," adding, "Through YouTube and social media (SNS), it is no longer unfamiliar to see young people around the world mimic Korean, learn Korean, and seek to enjoy our works."
He added, "At King Sejong Institutes in 87 countries around the world, more than 140,000 foreigners are learning Korean along with Korean culture."
Kim also emphasized the value of Hangeul. He said, "The more you learn, the more you newly realize its excellence and greatness," adding, "Hangeul is the world's only script whose principles of creation, period of creation, and creator are clearly known, and scholars around the world regard Hangeul as one of humanity's brilliant intellectual achievements."
He also said, "Hangeul is the result born from a spirit of love, inclusiveness, and innovation toward the people," adding, "In the preface of Hunminjeongeum, King Sejong's love for the people is well reflected."
Kim said, "We must also remember the footsteps of our ancestors who safeguarded Hangeul, which carries the soul of the nation," adding, "Despite Japanese oppression, teacher Ju Si-gyeong laid the foundation for Korean language research and Hangeul orthography, and members of the Korean Language Society risked their lives to protect our language and script. Thanks to precisely these efforts, Hangeul became a pillar supporting the spirit of the nation."