Before the creation of Hangul, literacy rates in Joseon were very low. Chinese characters required memorizing thousands of characters, so only the yangban (noble) class could read and write.
The emergence of Hangul brought revolutionary changes to Joseon society.
Women's Voices
Hangul was initially called "amkeul" (women's script) and looked down upon, but this paradoxically proves that women actively used Hangul. Court women exchanged letters in Hangul, and in private, mothers taught their daughters Hangul.
Literature Flourishes
Hangul novels emerged. Works like "The Tale of Hong Gildong" and "The Tale of Chunhyang" were written in Hangul and widely read. Commoners could now enjoy stories too.
Spread of Practical Knowledge
Practical knowledge about agriculture, medicine, and cooking was recorded in Hangul and spread widely. King Sejong himself translated agricultural guides into Hangul for distribution to the people.
High Modern Literacy Rate
Today, Korea's literacy rate is nearly 100%. This is thanks to the easy-to-learn Hangul. The UN and UNESCO award prizes named after King Sejong for contributions to eradicating illiteracy.