Dong-A University Korean Language Culture Center Leads Efforts to Promote Korean Language Culture in Busan

Over 800 Citizens Join 'Korean Language Celebration' for Hangul Day

'Korean Language Promotion Street Event' Scheduled at Gwangalli Beach on the 12th

Dong-A University (President Lee Haewoo) announced on the 11th that its Korean Language Culture Center, in collaboration with Busan Metropolitan City, is invigorating the development and promotion of Korean language culture.

The Dong-A University Korean Language Culture Center held a variety of programs for citizens at the “Our Language and Script Love Festival” on October 9th at the Nokum Square of Busan City Hall, celebrating the 578th anniversary of the proclamation of Hunminjeongeum and Hangul Day.

The “Our Language and Script Love Festival,” which the Dong-A University Korean Language Culture Center and Busan City host annually on Hangul Day, draws attention by being organized as a “Five Senses Experience Zone,” allowing participants to experience Hangul through all five senses rather than just as a script.

This year’s Hangul Day event featured stage programs under the theme “Listening to Our Language and Script,” including the “Busan Dialect Quiz Contest,” “Korean Language Quiz Contest,” and special guest lectures.

The contests were held in a festive atmosphere with participation from citizens of all ages, and winners ranged from children to those in their 60s, providing a platform for everyone to showcase their skills in standard Korean and the Busan dialect.

For the special lecture, Professor An Taehyung from Dong-A University’s College of Basic Liberal Arts spoke on the topic “Hangul is a Great Script,” emphasizing that Hangul is a featural script (a writing system where each character represents a phonetic feature) and embodies a spirit of caring for the people, which resonated with the audience.

In addition, the “Meeting Our Language and Script” event saw even more citizens participating than last year, with attendees donning traditional costumes for commemorative photos and experiencing what it’s like to be King Sejong. Other activities such as “Touching Our Language and Script,” “Breathing with Our Language and Script,” and “Tasting Our Language and Script” included making Hangul-themed bags, traditional patterned balloon games, and a “Guess the Korean Proverb and Eat Rice Cake” experience.

The Dong-A University Korean Language Culture Center also plans to hold a “Hangul Day Week Street Promotion Activity” at the Rainbow Square of Gwangalli Beach starting at 1 p.m. on the 12th.

Previously, in September, the Dong-A University Korean Language Culture Center conducted training for “Busan City Korean Language Officers.” Researcher Park Joohyung led the training under the theme “The Korean Language Officer System and Public Language,” contributing to the promotion of correct Korean usage in Busan City and fostering an environment for the development of the Korean language.

The “Korean Language Officer” system assigns public officials or employees within government agencies and local governments to oversee Korean language affairs, promoting proper language use and the advancement of Korean language culture. Based on the Framework Act on the Korean Language, this system is implemented nationwide, and Busan City is making various efforts to enhance its effectiveness.

The training was attended by Korean Language Officers and relevant staff, who also participated in a roundtable discussion and a public language survey to gather feedback from the field.

In the same month, the Dong-A University Korean Language Culture Center and Busan City also held a meeting of the “Busan City Korean Language Development Promotion Committee” (Chairman Lee Byungwon) to discuss strategies for promoting the proper use of public language.

Director Kim Youngsun said, “We hope that through the Hangul Day Week Street Promotion Activity, held together with the Dongari ‘Busan Our Language Guardians’ who cherish and love our language, citizens will once again reflect on the value of our language and script.”

The Korean Language and Culture Institute at Dong-A University is taking the lead in promoting Korean language culture together with Busan City.