Original Calligraphic Art Using Our Script... 'Hangeul Calligraphy' Designated as National Intangible Cultural Heritage

The Act of Writing Hangeul with Ink and Brush
"Demonstrates Representativeness as a Traditional Korean Culture"

The Cultural Heritage Administration announced on the 23rd that it will designate 'Hangeul Calligraphy,' which has developed beyond a means of recording into a form of textual art, as a national intangible heritage category. It plans to support academic research and programs to revitalize transmission so that the public can share its value and participate in its preservation.

Hangeul Calligraphy encompasses the act of writing the Korean native script, Hangeul, using ink and brush, as well as the traditional knowledge embedded in it.

On the occasion of the 578th Hangeul Day, the 30th Foreigners' Hangeul Writing Contest was held on the 8th at the Korean Language Institute of the Language Research and Education Institute at Yonsei University. Calligrapher Han Chang-hwan is writing and presenting the writing topic in brush calligraphy. Photo by Heo Young-han younghan@

The culture of writing in Hangeul has been passed down for a long time. From the 15th century, when Hunminjeongeum was created and promulgated, to the present day, it has been transmitted as an important means of recording Korean life through various media such as paper, metal and stone (金石), and textiles.

In particular, letters, literary works, and practical books written by various social classes from the Joseon royal court to the common people are highly regarded for their significant role in research in cultural history, folklore, and the history of the Korean language.

Even today, various calligraphic styles and brush techniques are preserved. Traditional styles such as Panbonche and Gungche are representative examples. The former is a typeface used in woodblock prints intended for printing until the mid to late Joseon period, and the latter is a style used by court ladies to write with brushes in the royal palace.

Hangeul Calligraphy also holds great value as an original form of visual art using characters. Various calligraphy works reflect changing aesthetic sensibilities and social conditions over time. Recently, it has expanded into diverse artistic fields such as stylish lettering art (calligraphy) and media works.

National Treasure 'Hunminjeongeum'

The Cultural Heritage Administration judged that Hangeul Calligraphy, which has a long history since the creation of Hangeul and has been used in various records such as literary works, practical books for daily life, and letters, is fully worthy of designation as a national intangible heritage. It was also highly evaluated for having a unique brush technique and refined beauty that distinguish it from neighboring countries by using our native script, and for contributing to cultural diversity and creativity even today. An official explained, "It expresses our unique writing system, Hangeul, and through its distinctive calligraphic styles and brush techniques, it demonstrates representativeness as a traditional Korean culture."

No specific holders or holder groups were recognized. The official stated, "Considering that it is actively transmitted mainly through educational institutions and related organizations and enjoyed by the entire nation, it was designated as a community heritage category."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.