King Sejong’s legacy meets inventor of Korean braille

A new exhibition opening Thursday in Yeoju draws a striking parallel across five centuries of Korean history: the creation of Hangeul by King Sejong and the invention of Korean braille by educator Bak Du-seong during Japan’s 1910-45 colonial rule over Korea. The special exhibition, titled “Hangeul and Korean Braille,” will run from Thursday through July 19 at the History and Culture Museum of King Sejong in Yeoju, Gyeonggi Province, marking the 100th anniversary of Hunmaengjeongeum, the Korean Braille system, named as a clever play on Hunminjeongeum (the original name for Hangeul, the Korean alphabet). Organized by the Historic Site of King Sejong Management Office under the Korea Heritage Service in collaboration with the disability advocacy group Your Way, the exhibition explores how Bak’s work echoed King Sejong’s vision of expanding literacy and access to knowledge. Bak, who taught visually impaired students at Jesaengwon under Japan’s colonial rule over Korea, secretly developed a six-dot Korean braille system with his students and unveiled Hunmaengjeongeum on Nov. 4, 1926.

Latest News from Korea

Latest Entertainment from Korea

Learn People & History of Korea