Hangul (한글)

This uniquely Korean alphabet was invented by Sejong the Great of the Chosun (Yi) Dynasty in 1443. There were originally 17 consonant’s and 11 vowels, but only 14 consonants and 10 vowels are used now. Hangul was originally called “hunminjongum” meaning “the right sound for the instruction of the people,” because its purpose was to free the illiterate from the fetters of the difficult Chinese characters.