Happy Birthday King Sejong! May 15 is King Sejong the Great’s birthday. There will be a special ceremony at Gyeongbokgung Palace’s Heungnyemun Gate with music, exhibitions, and hands on experiences today. I stopped by yesterday and there are beautiful flowers set up at his statue in Gwanghwamun Square. Why is King Sejong so important in Korea? King Sejong, the fourth monarch of the Joseon Dynasty (1418-1450), is renowned for his profound contributions to Korean culture, language, and governance. He is best known for creating Hangul, the Korean alphabet, which is still in use today, and for fostering a climate of intellectual and scientific advancement. He is considered one of the greatest rulers in Korean history. Major Achievements: 💡Hangul: Developed Hangul, a phonetic writing system that was easier to learn and use than the existing Chinese-based system. 💡Science and Technology: Advanced science and technology with inventions like the bronze and copper metal types, sundials, astronomical observation instruments, and improved cannons. 💡Jiphyeonjeon: Established Jiphyeonjeon, a royal research institute, to encourage scholarly pursuits and intellectual discourse. 💡Nongsajikseol: Compiled “Nongsajikseol,” a farmer’s handbook, and published other important texts. 💡Territorial Expansion: Conquered Tsushima Island and expanded Korea’s territory. Follow @thesoulofseoulblog for more history and Korea and how to celebrate today! #세종대왕 #kingsejong #gwanghwamun #광화문