People can be seen working on their Korean calligraphy creations in this photo provided by the Korea Heritage Service (KHS). The state-run KHS said Thursday that it designated the act of writing the Korean alphabet known as Hangeul with ink and brushes, and the traditional knowledge behind it as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, in recognition of its value as a written art that has been passed down and utilized beyond just recording. Courtesy of KHS

Korean calligraphy, which has evolved from a means of recording to a form of artistic expression using the Korean alphabet known as Hangeul, has been designated a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, the Korea Heritage Service (KHS) said Thursday.

The KHS, a state-run agency responsible for managing national heritage — including preservation, restoration and promotion — announced that it has designated Korean calligraphy as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage.

The agency announced that with this designation, it will provide support for scholarly studies and initiatives aimed at promoting the transmission of cultural heritage. This support is intended to enable the public to appreciate the significance of the designated item and actively engage in its preservation and dissemination.

"This designated Korean calligraphy encompasses the act of writing with ink and brush using Hangeul, our unique alphabet, and the traditional knowledge contained within it," the KHS said.

The KHS deemed Korean calligraphy worthy of designation as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage, as it has a long history dating back to the creation of Hangeul and has been used in various records, including literary works, practical everyday books and letters.

Since Hangeul was created in 1443 under the guidance of King Sejong of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910), Korean calligraphy has been passed down to modern times as an important means of recording the lives of Koreans on various materials, not limited to paper, but also including metal, stone and textiles.

Furthermore, it was naturally used from the royal court to the common people, in handwritten copies of literary works and everyday letters, and continues to this day with various scripts and writing styles.

"Korean calligraphy has unique writing styles and a refined beauty that distinguishes it from neighboring countries," the agency said.

"It is currently being transmitted through various educational institutions and is expanding its scope to various art fields such as calligraphy, media art and performances, contributing to cultural diversity and creativity, and therefore, is fully worthy of designation as a National Intangible Cultural Heritage."

However, the KHS did not recognize any specific individuals or groups holding particular skills in Korean calligraphy as intangible cultural heritage holders.

"Considering that Korean calligraphy is still actively being transmitted through various educational institutions and related organizations and is enjoyed by the entire nation, it is designated as a community item without recognizing specific holders or holding groups," it said.