The government designated May 15 as the national commemorative day 'Birthday of King Sejong' last year, but it has been confirmed that public awareness of this remains low.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, together with the Federation of Korean Language Culture Centers, conducted an online survey from April 29 to May 5 to celebrate the first 'Birthday of King Sejong' since it was designated as a national commemorative day last year. The survey gathered public opinions on King Sejong's birthday and achievements, and the results were announced on May 13.

May 26, 1964 was commemorated as 'Teacher's Day of the Mentor', but from 1965, teacher organizations took the lead to adopt May 15, the Birthday of King Sejong, as Teacher's Day to honor the true teachers of the nation.

Last year, the government designated May 15, previously only recognized as Teacher's Day, as the national commemorative day 'Birthday of King Sejong' to add significance by honoring King Sejong's achievements.

According to the survey, 76.3% responded that they do not know when the Birthday of King Sejong is, nor do they know the relationship between the Birthday of King Sejong and Teacher's Day. The percentage of those who said they know about the Birthday of King Sejong was highest among people in their 60s at 31.5%, and lowest among teenagers at 16.7%. The majority answered that they only recognize May 15 as Teacher's Day.

According to the National Archives and other sources, Teacher's Day began in 1958 at a girls' high school in Chungnam, where students volunteered to care for ill teachers. May 26, 1964 was commemorated as 'Teacher's Day of the Mentor', but from 1965, teacher organizations took the lead to adopt May 15, the Birthday of King Sejong, as Teacher's Day to honor the true teachers of the nation. Last year, the government designated May 15, previously only recognized as Teacher's Day, as the national commemorative day 'Birthday of King Sejong' to add significance by honoring King Sejong's achievements.

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This survey also examined public perceptions regarding King Sejong's achievements, including agricultural promotion, maternity leave, nurturing of talent, the first public opinion survey, and advancements in science.

In 1426, King Sejong extended maternity leave for female slaves working in government offices from 7 days to 100 days. In 1430, he added 30 more days in the month of childbirth, providing a total of 130 days of maternity leave. In 1434, he even granted 30 days of leave to the husbands of women who gave birth, focusing on welfare policies for the people. When asked about awareness of King Sejong's maternity leave policy, 60.7% of respondents correctly identified it as his achievement, while 39.3% mistakenly attributed it to other kings such as King Jeongjo or King Yeongjo.

Additionally, from March 5 to August 10, 1430, King Sejong conducted the first public opinion survey, asking over 170,000 people nationwide for their views on the taxation system for rice paddies and fields. The results were 98,657 in favor and 74,148 opposed. Regarding awareness of this, 58% said they knew about it, while 42% said they did not. By age group, 66.2% of those in their 50s and 60s were aware, but only 36.3% of teenagers recognized it as one of King Sejong's achievements.

Furthermore, 63.8% of respondents were aware of King Sejong's agricultural promotion policy, such as compiling 'Nongsajikseol' and systematically sharing regional farming methods and seasonal crop cultivation techniques. 82.2% were aware of his talent-nurturing policy, such as establishing Jiphyeonjeon and granting talented scholars a special reading leave called 'Saga Dokseo', allowing them to focus solely on reading. 84.0% knew about his science advancement policies, such as establishing the astronomical observatory Ganui-dae, the comprehensive science research institute Heumgyeonggak, and creating the calendar system Chiljeongsan to calculate celestial movements.

The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism stated that the survey was conducted by proportionally distributing respondents by gender, age, and region according to demographic statistics, with a total of 1,077 participants.

Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Yoo In-chon said, "It is truly admirable that King Sejong's policies, such as granting 130 days of maternity leave to female slaves and conducting a large-scale public opinion survey on the land tax system, all stemmed from his love for the people," and added, "I hope that this survey will help further promote King Sejong's achievements, and that from now on, May 15, the 'Birthday of King Sejong,' will become a day for all citizens to celebrate and commemorate together."