The Korean alphabet used for writing the Korean language.

Origin: The word '한글' (hangeul) is derived from the Korean words '한' (han) meaning 'Korean' and '글' (geul) meaning 'script'. The script was created in the 15th century by King Sejong the Great and his scholars to promote literacy. The original name for the script was '훈민정음' (Hunminjeongeum), meaning 'the correct sounds for the instruction of the people'.Historical and Cultural Context: First introduced in 1443 and promulgated in 1446, hangeul was created during the Joseon Dynasty as a simple and logical writing system to increase literacy among common people who found classical Chinese characters too complex.Evolution: Initially, hangeul faced resistance from the literati who favored Chinese characters, but it gradually gained acceptance. Over time, the script evolved in its orthography and design, leading to modern hangeul which is now the standard script for writing Korean.Modern Relevance: Today, hangeul is celebrated for its scientific design and simplicity, often cited as one of the most efficient writing systems in the world. It is used in everyday life in Korea and is celebrated annually on Hangeul Day.

Hangeul is often praised for its logical structure, which allows for easy learning and use. It was designed to fit the shapes of the mouth and tongue when pronouncing each sound.