Attendees deeply moved by the lecture—Awe at the philosophy behind the creation of Hangul: “A truly great figure.”

Group picture of students and external guests who watched the lecture.

On Thursday, May 15, the Korean Cultural Center in Brazil (Director: Kim Cheul Hong) hosted a special lecture titled “The Day King Sejong Was Born,” with support from the King Sejong Institute Foundation. The event, held in the Center’s multipurpose room, drew 150 attendees, including 110 students from the King Sejong Institute and around 40 external guests.

In celebration of May 15, which marks both King Sejong's birthday and Korea’s Teachers’ Day, the Korean Cultural Center organized a commemorative lecture to honor King Sejong's legacy. The session was led by Ms. Jung Misun, a Korean language instructor from the King Sejong Institute. Rather than simply outlining the life of King Sejong, the lecture delved into the historical context behind the creation of Hangul and the profound philosophical principles that underpin it.

Sejong Institute teachers and coordinator presenting on stage.

“Hangul is more than just a writing system—it embodies King Sejong’s philosophy of love and responsibility toward his people,” said Ms. Jung. “I hope all of you who are learning Korean today will come to understand and embrace that spirit.”

The students from the King Sejong Institute at the Cultural Center actively engaged with the lecture. One attendee shared, “Learning about the principles behind Hangul’s creation was fascinating. It’s incredible that such a recently developed writing system is so scientifically structured. It made me realize just how remarkable King Sejong truly was.”

Public watching the lecture on a projector.

In an interview with Brazilian media, Director Kim Cheul Hong remarked, “There isn’t a single Korean who would dispute that King Sejong is the most respected figure in our history.” He added, “This meaningful lecture not only helped promote Hangul and the Korean language, but also introduced King Sejong—who left a lasting legacy in our history—to a wider audience.”