3rd Hangeul Day inaugurated at MU
Source: Chronicle News Service
Imphal, October 07 2022:
Department of Foreign Languages (Korean), Manipur University (MU) inaugurated the 3rd Hangeul Day at the Court Hall of the varsity on Friday.
The inaugural function was attended by Department of Foreign Languages (Korean), Manipur University programme director Prof Hyunkyung Lee; Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi associate professor Dr Neerja Samajdar; MU VC Prof N Lo-kendra Singh; University & Higher Education director Dr Rangitabali Waikhom; MU Dean of Humanities Prof N Aruna Devi; and MU Department of Foreign Languages (Korean) head Prof S Imoba Singh as presidium members.
Speaking on the occasion, Prof Hyunkyung Lee explained that Hangeul Day is the Alphabet Day of the Korean people.
Prior to its creation, the Korean people read and wrote in classical Chinese scripts.
However, as there was a huge difference between Korean and Chinese language, the lower-class section of the society at the time could barely receive any education, which affected the literacy rate.
Taking these into account, then king Sejong created the Korean alphabet 'Hangeul' in the 15th century and the day is observed on October 9 in South Korea, while North Korea observes the day on January 15.Recounting that the Korean language was first taught in India in the 1970s, Prof Lee noted that the language is now taught in most colleges and universities of India.
The Korean language was first taught at MU in 2012.As the people of Manipur and Korea share similar facial features and traits, they are able to pick up the language quite fast, she noted, while assuring of extending all possible help to IGNOU and other colleges wanting to introduce the language.
The celebration will culminate on Saturday.