"國之語音，異乎中國，與文字不相流通，故愚民，有所欲言，而終不得伸其情者多矣。予爲此憫然，新制二十八字，欲使人人易習便於日用耳"
— Hangul

January 1, 1970

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Because the speech of this country is different from that of China, it [the spoken language] does not match the [Chinese] letters. Therefore, even if the ignorant want to communicate, many of them in the end cannot state their concerns. Saddened by this, I have [had] 28 letters newly made. It is my wish that all the people may easily learn these letters and that [they] be convenient for daily use. — King Sejong, preface to Hunminjeongeum