Statue of Korean alphabet inventor to be unveiled this week

By Shin Hae-in
SEOUL, Oct. 5 (Yonhap) -- A monument of King Sejong (1397-1450), who is credited
with inventing the Korean alphabet, will be unveiled this week once it is
transported to its final location after midnight Tuesday, Seoul city officials
said.

The 6.2 meter-high and 20-ton statue was built as part of Seoul city's renovation
plans for its downtown plaza, transforming the area into a tourist-friendly
public space featuring Korea's historic and cultural charms.
The Korean alphabet, known as Hangeul, was named the official alphabet of the
country by King Sejong of the ancient Joseon Dynasty on Oct. 9, 1446. North
Korea, however, celebrates Hangeul day on Jan. 15 when the king is said to have
completed creation of the alphabet. The statue will be unveiled on Friday,
marking the South Korean anniversary for Hangeul.
The Korean alphabet will turn 563 years old this year.
A massive trailer truck will transfer the statue from a workshop in Icheon,
located along the outskirts of Seoul, to the central city region, from midnight
through early Tuesday morning to avoid a possible traffic jam. Three of the five
traffic lanes leading to the central Gwanghwamun Plaza from Seoul City Hall will
be restricted during these hours, city officials said.
The statue of King Sejong will be set up some 250 meters north of another statue
of Korea's famed admiral Yi Sun-shin (1545-1598) located at the center of the
plaza.
In front of the statue will be a small pond in which a water clock, a sundial, a
rainfall gauge and a celestial globe are set. Along the underground passage
directly under the statue will be an exhibition hall displaying the achievements
of King Sejong.
hayney@yna.co.kr
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