Sejong the Great

Korean history · alphabet · innovation · monarchy

Fourth Korean king. Sejong ruled the kingdom of Joseon for 32 years, from 1418 until he died in 1450. He became one of the most respected rulers in all of Korean history.

Created Hangul alphabet. Before Sejong, Korean people wrote using Chinese characters. He invented Hangul, a completely new alphabet designed specifically for the Korean language, making it easier for everyone to learn to read and write.

Loved learning and science. Sejong was brilliant and curious about everything, from astronomy to farming to medicine. He gathered smart people around him to make Korea more advanced and help regular citizens live better lives.

Improved farming. Sejong created new farming techniques and tools to help Korean farmers grow more food and be more successful. He even wrote books to teach people better ways to farm and take care of animals.

Encouraged the arts. Sejong supported musicians, painters, and writers throughout his kingdom. He believed that music and art were just as important as science and farming for making people happy.