About Hangul Day (Korean Alphabet Day)
Hangul Day (Hangeul Day) celebrates the creation and proclamation of Hangul, the native alphabet of the Korean language, every year on October 9 in South Korea. It is one of the few national holidays in the world dedicated to a writing system, reflecting deep pride in a script praised for its scientific elegance. The countdown above tracks the days down to the next October 9 in your timezone.
Hangul was devised under King Sejong the Great and his scholars and proclaimed in 1446 in a document called the Hunminjeongeum, "the proper sounds for the instruction of the people". Sejong's goal was an alphabet simple enough for ordinary Koreans to read and write, in place of the complex Chinese characters then used only by the elite. Today the alphabet has 24 letters whose consonant shapes mirror the mouth and tongue. The day is marked with ceremonies, exhibitions and events at the King Sejong statue in Seoul.
October 9 is fixed, so the date never moves, though its status has shifted over time — it was restored as a full public holiday in South Korea in 2013. North Korea observes a related Korean alphabet day on January 15. Add this Hangul Day countdown to your own page to celebrate one of the world's most admired alphabets.
Upcoming dates
| 2026 | Friday, October 9, 2026next |
| 2027 | Saturday, October 9, 2027 |
| 2028 | Monday, October 9, 2028 |
| 2029 | Tuesday, October 9, 2029 |
| 2030 | Wednesday, October 9, 2030 |
FAQ
When is Hangul Day?
Hangul Day is held every year on October 9 in South Korea, a fixed national holiday celebrating the Korean alphabet.
Why is Hangul Day important?
It honours the creation of Hangul, the writing system that made literacy accessible to ordinary Koreans, and is a major source of national pride.
How is Hangul Day celebrated?
With official ceremonies, calligraphy and language exhibitions, contests and cultural events, often centred on the King Sejong statue in central Seoul.
Who created Hangul?
Hangul was created under King Sejong the Great and proclaimed in 1446 in the Hunminjeongeum, designed so any Korean could easily learn to read and write.