Calligrapher Kang Byung-in and Sejong City officials paint on a banner during the official opening ceremony for its Hangeul celebration programs at the National Museum Complex of Korea in Sejong, Monday. Korea Times photo by Jhoo Dong-chan

SEJONG — Sejong, the city named after King Sejong the Great (1397-1450) who is the inventor of Hangeul, is holding various events this month to celebrate the birth of the Korean writing system.

The events were endorsed by the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism earlier this year after the city submitted its plan to refurbish itself as the country's "culture city" to promote Hangeul under its slogan of "Sejong, the Hangeul city connecting the world."

In celebration of Hangeul Day, a national holiday on Oct. 9, the city has organized a series of programs throughout the month to promote Hangeul and its cultural heritage at three different venues.

"Hangeul is the very core that embodies the spirit of Koreans," Sejong Mayor Choi Min-ho said in a press release upon the opening ceremony for the month-long events.

"Now, Hangeul isn't something only for Koreans. It is not new that many people around the world enjoy hallyu and learn the writing system. The number of people using Hangeul is growing and it is being highlighted as the alphabet for future generations. We need to recognize Hangeul not only as Koreans' language legacy but as the root of our culture and creativity," he said. "Sejong will be reborn as a culture city promoting it across the world, starting with a series of exhibitions this month."

A 3-meter-tall figure of King Sejong the Great, made in collaboration between Sejong City and Playmobil, is set up at an exhibition hall of the National Museum Complex of Korea in Sejong, in this undated photo. Courtesy of Sejong City

The National Museum Complex of Korea hosts a special exhibition at its operating center to introduce other local governments' various policies and events promoting Hangeul and its linguistic culture under the theme of "Hangeul, connecting cities." It also showcases Sejong's vision as a Hangeul-centered city.

Visitors can also experience each local government's Hangeul promotion programs there. The venue also features a large-sized figure of King Sejong the Great and a photo zone.

The BRT Small Museum exhibits various local artists' masterpieces portraying Hangeul under the theme of "Hangeul, covered in art." Various artworks of 17 renowned artists, including Kang Byung-in, Kim Bo-seong, Lie Sang-bong and Jang Sa-ik, are being displayed in calligraphy, painting, fashion and music there.

Park Yeon Cultural Center invites the "Playground Hangeul" exhibition from the National Hangeul Museum to provide a recreational experience for children.

The Sejong Culture and Tourism Foundation said it was one of the most popular exhibitions in the National Hangeul Museum in Seoul featuring various experience programs exclusively designated for children. This is the first time for the exhibition to be offered in the city.

"The City of Sejong is named after King Sejong the Great," said Park Yeong-guk, the head of the foundation. "There is no doubt that King Sejong's great legacy is Hangeul. This month-long event across the city will cement its historic identity."

A promotional poster for Sejong's month-long exhibition events commemorating Hangeul / Courtesy of Sejong City