Commemorative Ceremony on October 9
Various Cultural Events Through October 18
In celebration of the 579th Hangul Day, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism will hold the "2025 Hangul Hanmadang" festival from October 9 to 18, 2025. Under the theme "The More You Know, the More Fascinating Hangul Becomes," a variety of performances and exhibitions will take place at Gwanghwamun Square and other locations.
Ceremony and Awards for Contributors on October 9
The event will begin at 9 a.m. on October 9, with Minister Choi Hwi-young and representatives from Hangul and Korean language organizations laying flowers at the statue of King Sejong at Gwanghwamun Square. At 10 a.m., the "579th Hangul Day Commemorative Ceremony" will be held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts, where awards and commendations will be presented to individuals who have contributed to the advancement of Hangul.
On the evening of October 11 at 7 p.m., a commemorative performance will take place at the Nori Madang in Gwanghwamun Square. Traditional singer Yoo Taepyeongyang will host an interactive Madang play, engaging with the audience. In addition, a variety of Hangul-themed performances will be presented, including Taekwondo Hallyu, MB Crew, the Cho Seongmin Dance Company, and rapper P-Type. Designer Lee Sangbong will showcase the charm of Hangul through "Fashion Madang," featuring clothing inspired by Hangul. There will also be an awards ceremony recognizing outstanding public institutions for their use of clear and proper Korean in official documents, as well as the "Our Language Light Boram" awards, which honor well-named policies and spaces using the Korean language.
Over 70 Hangul Cultural Products on Display
From October 11 to 14, the "2025 Hangul Cultural Industry Exhibition: The More You Know, the More ___ Hangul" will take place at the Nori Madang in Gwanghwamun Square, exploring the potential and expansion of Hangul cultural products. The exhibition will be divided into three themed zones: Brighter Hangul, More Beautiful Hangul, and Newer Hangul. Over 70 representative Hangul cultural products developed with government support since 2015 will be showcased. The event will also highlight various ways Hangul is integrated into daily life, including an installation by artist Kang Ikjoong and an exhibition of Hangul-inspired fashion accessories and cultural products by designer Lee Sangbong.
Various Cultural Events: Original Songs, B-boying, and More
A wide range of Hangul-themed cultural events will also be held. These include performances by the Hangul Band, which features songs with pure Korean lyrics, a creative Korean song contest, a Hangul B-boying competition where participants express Hangul through dance, and musicals such as "Yi Do" and "The Flower of a Twenty-Year-Old Mother." There will also be hands-on activities such as making accessories and decorations using Hangul consonants and vowels, designing with Hangul using one's own name, face painting, envisioning the future of Hangul, a Hangul quiz challenge, making Hangul lamps and keychains, and taking photos with the character from EBS's "Hangul Warrior Aiya." In the "Rest Area," visitors can view five artworks, including "King Sejong" by Hangul painter Jin Kwanwoo, who creates paintings using Hangul.
Academic Conferences on the Development of Korean in the Digital Age
Academic conferences exploring the value and future of Hangul will also be held. On October 13, the Oesol Society will host a conference at the National Museum of Korean Contemporary History on "The Possibilities and Challenges of Hangul and Korean Language Development in the Digital Revolution Era." On October 14, the Hangul Museum will hold the "3rd International Museum Forum" at the Korea Press Center under the theme "Aging Society: Connecting Scripts and Generations." On October 17, the Hangul Society will host a conference at the Hangul Hall on "The Academic Achievements of 'Hangul' Magazine Before Liberation and the Exploration of Hangul's Value Today." The Hangul Culture Solidarity will hold a conference at the Hankyoreh Newspaper Cheongam Hall on "Managing Foreign Words and Scripts in Public Language."
On October 18, a dictation contest will be held at Jibokjae in Gyeongbokgung Palace to foster interest in Hangul and encourage the correct use of the Korean language. This event, now in its second year, will feature 150 participants, including 120 Korean nationals selected through preliminary rounds and 30 outstanding foreign learners from King Sejong Institutes. The contest will be divided into individual (Korean and foreign participants) and team (mixed Korean and foreign participants) categories, with awards given based on the results.
National language culture centers and local governments across the country will also participate in the "Hangul Hanmadang" festival, hosting various cultural events to commemorate Hangul Day. Twenty-two language culture centers nationwide, including those at Kangwon National University, Yeungnam University, and Chonnam National University, will organize a range of online and offline events involving local residents. Local governments in Seoul, Daegu, Sejong, and other cities will also share the growing charm and value of Hangul through exhibitions and hands-on activities.
For more detailed information about the "2025 Hangul Hanmadang," please visit the official website and social media channels.
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