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Hunminjeongeum (The Proper Sounds for the Instruction of the People)

훈민정음 ( 訓民正音 )

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Classification National Treasure
Name of Cultural Properties Hunminjeongeum (The Proper Sounds for the Instruction of the People)
Quantity 1 book
Designated Date 1962.12.20
Age The 28th year of the reign of King Sejong of Joseon (1446)
Address Kansong Art Museum, 102-11, Seongbuk-ro, Seongbuk-gu, Seoul

Hunminjeongeum is a commentary written in Chinese characters and published in 1446 by a group of renowned Jiphyeonjeon (Academy of Scholarly Worthies) scholars according to a royal edict issued by King Sejong (r. 1418-1450). The commentary has the same title as the original, Hunminjeongeum, given to the newly invented Korean writing system but different names, including The Explanatory Edition of the Correct Sounds for the Instruction of the People (Hunminjeongeum Haeryebon) and The Original Edition of the Correct Sounds for the Instruction of the People (Hunminjeongeum Wonbon). It is a single-volume xylographic book consisting of 33 chapters. In the book, the chapters are grouped into 3 parts wherein the first part contains the main text of Hunminjeongeum in 4 chapters printed on 7 pages, each containing 7 lines of text with 11 characters per line; the second part contains a commentary in 26 chapters on 51 pages, each containing 8 lines of text with 13 characters per line. The third part contains a 3-chapter introduction of the writing system written by Jeong In-ji (1396-1478) and which ends with a date, suggesting that the Korean writing system was promulgated in 1446. According to The Veritable Records of King Sejong (Sejong Sillok), the Korean alphabet called Hunminjeongeum was invented in 1443 by King Sejong himself and proclaimed in 1446. The commentary and Jeong In-ji’s introduction as contained in this book provide information on the scholar-statesman’s active participation in the creation of the alphabet and the basic principles used for it.