Hangul (Korean alphabet) Day is on October, 9. Koreans ought to celebrate Hangul Day and participate in various events on the day. It was possible to make unique Korean culture thanks to Hangul. In the past, Hangul Day was regarded as a national holiday where all citizens could rest. However, after Hangul Day was excluded from national holiday, Hangul Day was nothing but an empty name for about 20years.

When was Hangul Day excluded from legal holidays?

 

When Noh Tae-woo seized power in 1991, the government insisted that South Korea have many legal holidays. So the economic growth may be hindered. For this reason, the government excluded 'Hangul Day' from legal holidays. However, the situation has changed. These days, most people usually don’t rest on holidays. because they are busy trying to get themselves promoted by working hard. For this reason, there is a higher possibility that the economic growth can’t be hindered. Also, a variety of age groups from elementary school students to undergraduates have difficulty in writing Hangul correctly. So the government has to consider including Hangul Day as a national holiday again in order to emphasize the importance of Hangul. However, if the government makes Hangul Day a holiday again, the attitude of the society has to be changed.

 

First, think about individual attitude. In fact, most people just think of a legal holiday (also Hangul Day) as a holiday, literally. However we have to know the meaning of holiday and have a thankful mind towards it in order to realize the true meaning of a national holiday. Moreover, we should show practical attitude such as participating in events.

Second, think about the government agency attitude. Currently, Educational authorities carry out educational policy to emphasize English. Of course, English is important in a globalized age. However, Hangul education has been losing emphasis for a long time. Educational authorities have been focusing on reading and and the interpretation of Korean. However, considering people who have difficulty in writing correctly, educational authorities need to focus on the practical use of Hangul. Also, in the case of undergraduates, university should set up liberal arts classes about the practical use of Hangul. Other than this, the government needs to publicize the events and the importance of Hangul.

Lastly, think about corporations. Corporations need to host events actively. These days there are many foreigners who love Hangul. So corporations can use this as a marketing strategy. Naming products after the words of pure Hangul can show the love and uniqueness of Hangul. For example, there was a car name “NUBIRA”, meaning “Enjoy”.

 

Making Hangul Day a legal holiday is important. However the more important aspect than this is to love Hangul and demonstrate a practical application for it.