100th Anniversary of Korean Braille 'Hunmaengjeongeum'... Incheon Launches Diverse Commemorative Projects

Incheon City is undertaking various initiatives this year to highlight the historical and cultural value of Hunmaengjeongeum, Korean Braille, as it marks the 100th anniversary of its promulgation.

Incheon City said on October 15 that it will hold a ceremony marking the 100th anniversary of Hunmaengjeongeum's promulgation on November 3 at the Incheon Culture and Arts Center. The ceremony will be hosted by the city's federation for people with visual impairments. The event will trace the history of Korean Braille through activities such as honoring contributors to its development and readings on its evolution.

The city is also carrying out a project to improve the commemorative marker for Songam Park Du-seong (1888-1963), who devised Hunmaengjeongeum, and plans to clarify and reorganize historical records, including facts related to the location of his birthplace site in Gyodong-myeon, Ganghwa County, and the home where he lived.

In June, the city conducted a field trip titled "Following in Songam Park Du-seong's Footsteps" through its Incheon history exploration program, "Tabaktabak Incheon." It is also laying the groundwork for residents to encounter and use Braille by providing Braille education through relevant institutions, including the Songam Braille Library, and producing, distributing, offering experiences with, and exhibiting Braille materials.

Hunmaengjeongeum. Courtesy of Incheon City.

Born in March 1888 in Gyodong, Ganghwa County, Incheon, Songam took up a teaching post in the Department for Blind Children at Jesaengwon, the predecessor of Seoul National School for the Blind, in 1913 and began teaching people who were blind. Dissatisfied that only Japanese Braille was being taught, Songam began researching Korean Braille in 1920. He completed Hunmaengjeongeum in 1925 after seven years of research, during which he organized the Joseon Language Braille Research Committee.

The official date of Hunmaengjeongeum's promulgation is November 4, 1926, and people with visual impairments commemorate the day as Hangul Braille Day.

As part of its efforts to expand programs honoring Songam, the city plans to continue its work next year, including seeking additional registration as a National Registered Cultural Heritage, building an archive, and holding an academic conference.

An Incheon City official said, "Songam's achievements and Hunmaengjeongeum are important parts of Incheon's historical and cultural heritage. We will widely promote the value of Korean Braille and improve access to information for people with visual impairments."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.