Sejong Plants Hangeul Identity Across the City as Korea’s First Hangeul Cultural City
Creatrip Team
3 months ago
Sejong City, designated Korea’s first Hangeul (Korean alphabet) Cultural City, spent its first year embedding Hangeul identity throughout the city. Backed by a 20 billion won grant from the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism for a three-year promotion program, Sejong created a dedicated Hangeul Culture Division and passed an ordinance to support long-term cultural development and a regional culture fund. The city is converting a former park office into the nation’s first Hangeul Art Museum (working name) and plans a special exhibition for next year’s 580th Hangeul Day and the 100th anniversary of Gagyanal (an early Korean literacy celebration). A Hangeul-themed international pre-biennale drew over 50,000 visitors, and Sejong is preparing a full-scale Hangeul International Biennale for 2027. Local businesses and creators have joined a “Hangeul cultural community” to develop branded goods and a historical novel about King Sejong and the creation of Hangeul, with possible TV adaptation. Officials expect the new museum, biennale, and cultural works to deepen Hangeul’s artistic and global appeal while strengthening Sejong’s civic identity.
