Sejong 世宗
king · Joseon Korea · 1397–1450
Fourth king of Joseon. Against the objections of his ministers he made twenty-eight new letters and issued them in 1446.
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1446
The sounds of our country's language differ from those of China and do not match the Chinese characters. So among the simple people there are many who have something they wish to say and yet in the end cannot make their meaning known. I am moved to pity by this and have newly made twenty-eight letters. I wish only that everyone may learn them easily and use them with comfort every day.
國之語音。異乎中國。與文字不相流通。故愚民。有所欲言而終不得伸其情者。多矣。予。為此憫然。新制二十八字。欲使人人易習。便於日用耳Hunminjeongeum (the Haerye edition), the king's preface
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