Statue of King Sejong

The statue of King Sejong, inventor of hangeul

The Seoul audio-guided tour has you admire the large bronze statue that sits at the centre of Gwanghwamun Square, in line with the royal palace and the sacred mountain. It depicts King Sejong, one of the most beloved sovereigns of Korean history.

A humanist king of the fifteenth century

The fourth king of the Joseon dynasty, Sejong reigned in the fifteenth century. A humanist and prudent king, he brought peace back to the kingdom and marked the history of the country by the creation of hangeul, the Korean alphabet. He invented it to allow all the inhabitants to gain access to writing, a major turning point: before that, most Koreans were illiterate, for the Chinese writing then in use was too complex. For his brilliant reign, he was nicknamed Sejong the Great.

What there is to see

By its grandeur, its golden colour and the symbol it embodies, the statue is impossible to miss. In front of it are arranged the sculptures of several inventions attributed to King Sejong: a sundial, a rain gauge and an armillary sphere, witnesses to his taste for the sciences. The statue is the true symbol of the central square of Seoul and a vibrant tribute to one of the fathers of Korean culture.

Practical information

The statue of King Sejong stands at the centre of Gwanghwamun Square, in the heart of Seoul, in the axis of Gyeongbokgung Palace. It can be discovered freely at all hours and on the level. A space located beneath the statue is sometimes dedicated to the memory of the king and his inventions.

What did King Sejong invent?

He created hangeul, the Korean alphabet, to give everyone access to writing, as well as a sundial, a rain gauge and an armillary sphere.

Why is he called Sejong the Great?

Because of his prosperous and humanist reign in the fifteenth century, marked by peace and the creation of the Korean alphabet, which lastingly transformed the country.