오늘은 한글의 날
Hangeul day : Today is the Hangeul's 560th birthday

Hangeul was created under King Sejong during the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). In 1446, the first Korean alphabet was proclaimed under the name 훈민정음 Hunminjeongeum, which literally meant "the Correct Sounds for the Instruction of the People."

During his reign, King Sejong always deplored the fact that the common people, ignorant of the complicated Chinese characters that were being used by the educated, were not able to read and write. He understood their frustration in not being able to read or to communicate their thoughts and feelings in written words.

King Sejong felt great sympathy for the people. As a wise ruler strongly dedicated to national identity and cultural independence, he immediately searched for solutions. What he envisioned was an alphabet that was uniquely Korean and easily learnable, rendering it accessible and usable for the common people. Thus, the Hunminjeongeum was born. ....(more)

[Korea.net : What is Hangeul?]
http://www.korea.net/korea/kor_loca.asp?code=A020302