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Busan Metropolitan City to Hold Ceremony Celebrating the 580th Anniversary of Hangeul Day Tomorrow (October 9)

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Busan Metropolitan City (Mayor Chun Jae-soo) announced that it will hold a ceremony celebrating the 580th anniversary of Hangeul Day tomorrow (October 9) at 10:00 a.m. in the Main Auditorium of Busan City Hall, commemorating the 580th anniversary of the promulgation of Hunminjeongeum.

Approximately 500 people, including Mayor Chun Jae-soo, heads of major institutions, representatives of Hangeul-related organizations such as the Busan Hangeul Society, educators, and citizens, will attend the ceremony to commemorate the creation of Hangeul.

The approximately 40-minute ceremony will include the national ceremony, a commemorative video screening, a reading of the preface to Hunminjeongeum by Lee Geun-yeol, President of the Busan Hangeul Society, and an outstanding international student affiliated with the Busan Global City Foundation, awards recognizing contributions to the development of Hangeul, a commemorative address by Mayor Chun Jae-soo, celebratory performances by the Busan Metropolitan City Performing Arts Company, a group singing of the Hangeul Day Song, and three cheers of "Manse."

During the reading of the preface to Hunminjeongeum, Lee Geun-yeol, President of the Busan Hangeul Society, and Le Thi Kieu Trinh, an international scholarship student participating in the Busan International Student Supporters program operated by the Busan Global City Foundation, will jointly recite the preface. The reading is intended to highlight the global stature of Hangeul, which has played a central role in the Korean Wave.

Le Thi Kieu Trinh is a female student from Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam.

In addition, commendations will be presented to nine individuals, including Professor Lee Soon-wook of Pusan National University, and the Humanities Research Institute of Pusan National University in recognition of their contributions to the development of Hangeul. Their achievements include documenting and examining the activities of Hangeul advocacy organizations in the Busan region, establishing a historical record of the local Hangeul movement, uncovering rare institutional publications and educational materials, and contributing to the preservation and documentation of the region's cultural history.

The Mayor's Commendations will be awarded to Lee Soon-wook, Professor at Pusan National University; Ahn Hee-eun, Assistant Professor at Kosin University; Kwak Byeong-gyu and Je Chang-seon, artists affiliated with the Hangeul Calligraphy Research Association; and the Humanities Research Institute of Pusan National University, headed by Director Seo Min-jeong.

The Superintendent of Education's Commendations will be awarded to Cheon Hyeon-jin, Principal of Seongji Elementary School; Jang Eun-gyeong, teacher at Yangdong Girls' Middle School; Kim Ji-young, teacher at Deokpo Girls' Middle School; Park Sang-young, teacher at Daecheong Middle School; and Ahn Eon-jeong, teacher at Munhyeon Girls' High School.

Meanwhile, a variety of events will take place around Busan City Hall to commemorate the 580th anniversary of the creation of Hangeul and provide opportunities for citizens to reflect on the beauty and value of the Korean language and writing system.

The Korean Language and Culture Center at Dong-A University will host the 10th Korean Language and Writing Festival tomorrow (October 9) at the Green Plaza of Busan City Hall. The festival will feature a Busan Dialect Contest, a Five-Senses Hangeul Experience Zone, and an awards ceremony for the Korean Language and Writing Essay Contest.

The Korean Calligraphy Research Association will hold several events from October 5 to 10 in the exhibition hall on the second floor of Busan City Hall, including the 24th Hangeul Calligraphy Festival, the Korea–China Calligraphy Exchange Exhibition, and the National Members' Exhibition of the Korean Calligraphy Research Association.

In his commemorative address, Mayor Chun Jae-soo is expected to state, "The role of Hangeul in our daily lives is just as important as its growing prominence around the world. Busan Metropolitan City will provide thoughtful support so that all citizens, including older adults who missed out on educational opportunities, can fully experience the joy of reading and writing."

He is also expected to add, "Even amid a rapidly changing digital environment, we will continue to pursue compassionate and inclusive language policies to ensure that not a single citizen is left behind or excluded from society because of language or literacy barriers."