Hangeul Day Celebrated in India For The First Time
New Delhi, October 8, 2024
In a historic event, Apeejay School in Panchsheel Park, New Delhi, hosted India’s first-ever Hangeul Day celebration, commemorating the unique Korean script. The event was graced by Ambassador of the Republic of Korea to India, Chang Jae-bok, along with Hwang Il Yong, Director of Korean Cultural Centre India, and Dr. Neha Berlia, Executive Director, Stya and Svran Group, India.
Ambassador Chang Jae-bok highlighted the global significance of Hangeul, praising its scientific nature and systematic structure. “Hangeul is the only writing system in the world whose creator, time, purpose, and method of creation are precisely known,” he said.
Emphasizing the importance of learning Korean, Ambassador Chang Jae-bok stated, “Korean language skills have become an important competitive edge. On behalf of our government, Korean Cultural Centre India will continue to support your Korean language learning and understanding of our culture.”
The event coincides with the 578th Hangeul Day, marking the invention and proclamation of Hangeul by 15th-Century King Sejong the Great.
The Korean Cultural Centre India provides Korean language courses through local schools and King Sejong Institutes. This year, 2,572 middle school students are learning Korean, and 1,248 people took the 93rd Test of Proficiency in Korean (TOPIK) in April.
Taekwondo, Korea’s traditional martial art, has also seen a significant increase in popularity, with a 50% rise in schools teaching it.
Hwang Il Yong, Director of Korean Cultural Centre India, said, “Learning a language is the key that opens the door to that culture. I hope that in the future, more people in India will be able to deeply understand and embrace Korean culture by learning Korean.”
The 578th Hangeul Day celebration serves as a testament to the enduring legacy of King Sejong’s creation, bridging cultures and technologies across the globe.
Hangeul, designated as a UNESCO Memory of the World in 1997, is a superior writing system praised by linguists worldwide for its scientific nature and systematic structure.
Around 700 students and staff members attended the event, showcasing the growing interest in Korean language and culture in India.
