The Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism (Minister Yu In Chon, MCST) hosted the 628th Anniversary of the Birth of King Sejong Event on May 14 (Wednesday) and 15 (Thursday) at Gwanghwamun Square and Gyeongbokgung Palace. This year’s event is particularly significant as it marks the first celebration of the official Birth Commemoration Day of King Sejong the Great (May 15), which was designated on November 19, 2024. Minister Yu In Chon and First Vice Minister Yong Hoseong attended the commemorative events to celebrate the day with the public.

Commemorative Ceremony on May 15—Honoring King Sejong’s Legacy and Spirit with Performances, Exhibitions, and Immersive Experiences

King Sejong, who ascended the throne upon the completion of Gyeongbokgung Palace,  spent most of his 32-year reign in the palace and left behind major political and cultural accomplishments across  economics, society, culture, national defense, and language, including the publication of Hunminjeongeum (the manuscript that introduced the Korean alphabet Hangeul). In memory of his achievements, a commemorative ceremony was held on May 15, King Sejong the Great’s Birth Commemoration Day, at the square in front of Heungnyemun Gate at Gyeongbokgung Palace to honor his remarkable legacy and spirit of compassion, independence, pragmatism, and action via performances, exhibitions, and immersive events.

The ceremony greeted visitors with performances by children’s choir and traditional military band, known as daechwita. A number of programs continued under the theme “Innovation for the People, King Sejong.” These include an extended reality (XR) performance by artist Yeon Dong Gyun that blends King Sejong’s achievements with future technologies, as well as celebratory performances that fuse tradition with hopes for the future. Some 54 members of the court music orchestra, dance theater, and youth trainee troupe of the National Gugak Center showcased a musical and court dance performance (Bongnaeui), composed to the lyrics of “Yongbieocheonga” (literally translated “Songs of the Dragons Flying to Heaven”). Traditional vocalist Jang Sa-ik and the children’s choir took the stage for a celebratory song that symbolizes the union of present and future generations. A special video featured birthday wishes from ordinary citizens. Following the main ceremony, a performance by “Child Sejong (a young historical and cultural guide)” was held at Sujeongjeon, the former site of Jiphyeonjeon, (Hall of Worthies), featuring narration and stories sung from the life of King Sejong.

From 1:00 PM to 7:00 PM on May 15 (Thursday), an exhibition under the theme “Human Sejong: The Loves of Yi Do – Reading, Music, People, and Hunminjeongeum” and hands-on activities[1] under the theme “King Sejong: A Legacy of Love for the People” took place at Heungnyemun Square.

44^th Sejong Culture Awards: Recognizing Three Individuals and One Organization for Their Contributions to Korea’s Creativity and Cultural Excellence

Starting this year, the annual Sejong Culture Awards—previously held during Hangeul Week in October—will now be presented on King Sejong the Great’s Birth Commemoration Day. Established in 1982, the awards honor the legacy of King Sejong while aiming to carry forward his values of compassion, independence, pragmatism, and action, which will ultimately contribute to the creative development of Korean culture. The awards span four categories, namely, Korean language and Hangeul, cultural arts and humanities, cultural welfare and diversity, and cultural exchanges and globalization. The winner of each category will receive a presidential citation along with a cash prize of KRW 25 million.

At this year’s 44th Sejong Culture Awards ceremony, the following honorees was recognized: in the Korean language and Hangeul category, Director Lee Dae Ro of the Hanmalgeul Culture Association for his lifelong commitment to promoting Korean language and script through civic activism; in the Cultural Arts and  Humanities category, artist Yee Soo Kyung for promoting Korean art and traditional music in the Middle East as the only Korean participant in the inaugural Public Art Abu Dhabi Biennial; in the Cultural Welfare and Diversity category, the GwanHyun MaenginJeontongYesooldan (Korean Traditional Music Orchestra of the Blind), a musical ensemble rooted in the musical institute GwanHyunMaengin, established in 1431 by King Sejong, for globally showcasing Korean traditional music and the capacity of artists with disabilities, advancing cultural rights of the socially marginalized, and promoting to cultural diversity; and in the Cultural Exchanges and Globalization category, Chairman Park Eun Kwan (Kenny) of Simone Accessories Collection for contributing to the global spread of Korean language and culture by supporting the construction of a dedicated Korean village education facility in Minnesota, USA.

Celebration Events to Take Place on May 14 at the Statue of King Sejong in Gwanghwamun Square, including a Flower Offering

Prior to the main ceremony event, a birthday celebration event was held at Gwanghwamun Square on May 14 at 2:00 PM. Vice Minister Yong joined members of the public in offering flowers before the statue of King Sejong, while congratulatory musical performances was presented by the children’s choir and the GwanHyunMaenginJeontongYesooldan.

Nationwide and Global Celebrations of King Sejong the Great’s Birth Commemoration Day

This year, institutions from home and abroad, including the National Institute of Korean Language, the National Hangeul Museum, 22 Korean Language and Culture Centers nationwide, local governments, King Sejong institutes worldwide, and relevant stakeholders, joined in the celebration of King Sejong the Great’s Birth Commemoration Day. The National Institute of Korean Language hosted a mobile Korean language and culture school for middle school students from May 7 to 16 under the theme “The Excellence of Hangeul in the Digital Age and Literary Enhancement.” The King Sejong Institute Foundation held a special Jiphyeonjeon Korean class for foreigners at Gyeongbokgung Palace on May 10. On May 15, the National Hangeul Museum hosted an academic conference at Art Korea Lab under the theme “King Sejong’s Hangeul and Artificial Intelligence, Driving Innovations of the Era.” The 22 Korean Language and Culture Centers, including the center in Kangwon National University, collaborated with Urimal Gakkumi to host exhibitions on King Sejong’s 15 major achievements[2] and quotes, a 515-character declaration event, commemoration day-themed quiz events, and street campaigns throughout April and May. The Korean Language and Culture Centers Association held an online event, “Making a Hangeul Flower to Celebrate King Sejong’s Birth”  (http://sejong.plainkorean.kr), where participants completed the phrase “Thank you”  by placing symbolic flowers to be offered to King Sejong. The Association also jointly hosted an academic forum under the title “King Sejong, Hangeul, and Public Language” at Sangmyung University in partnership with the Korean Association for Public Language. The Self-Governing City of Sejong hosted a commemorative event on Hangeul Sarang Street on May 15. On the same day, the Korea Heritage Service hosted the Seungmojaejeon ceremony at the Jeongjagak pavilion in the Royal Tomb of King Sejong in Yeoju. Globally, King Sejong Institutes held preliminary rounds for a Korean language speaking and writing contest throughout May and June to select top learners for the 2025 invitational study program in Korea.

The Korean Language’s Rise as a Global Language, Accelerated through King Sejong Institutes

MCST plans to strengthen the role of King Sejong Institutes as hubs for learning Korean language and culture worldwide, intensifying efforts to further support the rise of the Korean language on the global stage. Since their launch in 2007 with 13 centers across 3 countries, the program has grown to 256 locations across 88 countries as of 2025. With more than 1.27 million cumulative enrollments as of 2024, the demand for Korean language classes continue to increase. Every year, around 100 organizations apply to open new locations, while more than 15,000 prospective learners remain on the waiting list as of 2024. The global demand and passion to learn Korean language continues to date.

To meet this growing global demand, MCST will continue to expand the supply of Korean language programs based on the King Sejong Institute Innovation Plan announced in 2024. To build a systematic ecosystem of language programs, regional flagship institutes will be established,  offering specialized Korean language and cultural curricula tailored to the diverse needs of learners ranging from work and study to travel or hobbies. Furthermore, for those who cannot attend offline programs at the institutes due to physical and geographical limitations, the Ministry plans to launch i-Sejong Institute, an AI-powered learning platform, by 2027 that will enable Korean language education anytime, anywhere.

“This year marks the first official national celebration of King Sejong the Great’s Birth Commemoration Day since its designation as a national celebration day, making it all the more meaningful,” stated Minister Yu. “The Ministry will continue to elevate the Sejong Culture Awards as the nation’s top cultural honor and develop the commemoration day into a signature cultural festival for Korea every May, to honor the legacy of Korea’s great teacher and build greater potential for cultural creativity in the future.”