3.1.1 The Need for a New Writing System
The Use of Classical Chinese
Before the creation of Hangul, Koreans primarily used Classical Chinese characters, known as Hanja, for writing. Hanja, originating from China, consists of thousands of complex characters. These characters were not phonetic, meaning they did not directly represent the sounds of the Korean language. This made learning and using Hanja particularly challenging for Korean speakers. While Hanja had significant scholarly and cultural value, it formed a linguistic barrier that was difficult for the common people to overcome.
Literacy Challenges Among Common People
The ability to read and write Hanja was largely confined to the upper class and scholars. Common people faced substantial difficulties in learning Hanja, as it required a significant amount of time and effort. This led to a large literacy gap, creating disparities in access to knowledge and information. As a result, many people were restricted from reading and writing, which limited their ability to communicate and record their thoughts.
To address these issues, King Sejong the Great introduced Hangul, a new writing system that everyone could learn easily. Hangul’s simple and logical structure accurately reflects the sounds of the Korean language, making it accessible and easy to learn. The introduction of Hangul greatly improved literacy rates in Korea and allowed for more equitable access to knowledge and information.
For more detailed information on the background and necessity of the creation of Hangul, you can refer to the historical document Hunminjeongeum.