Stories of Korea’s National Treasures 72
Photo Credit : Cultural Heritage Administration of Korea
Dongguk Jeongun (Correct Rhymes of the Eastern Kingdom)
(Joseon Dynasty, 1448)
🏯 1. The First Official Guide to Korean Pronunciation
Shortly after the creation of Hunminjeongeum, scholars of the Joseon Dynasty compiled Dongguk Jeongun, the first official Korean rhyme dictionary.
Completed in 1448 under the reign of King Sejong the Great, this remarkable work established a standard system for recording and pronouncing Chinese characters using the newly created Korean alphabet.
Rather than being simply a dictionary, it served as an essential guide for accurate pronunciation, education, and scholarship throughout the kingdom.
🪨 2. A Bridge Between Languages
Before Hangul was introduced, accurately recording the pronunciation of Chinese characters was extremely difficult.
Dongguk Jeongun solved this challenge by applying the scientific principles of Hunminjeongeum to Chinese phonetics.
The book carefully organized sounds according to rhyme and pronunciation, allowing scholars and students to read Chinese texts with far greater consistency.
It demonstrated that Hangul was not merely a writing system for Korean, but also a precise linguistic tool capable of representing complex foreign sounds.
This achievement highlights the remarkable scientific vision behind King Sejong's linguistic reforms.
🌄 3. A Foundation for Korean Linguistics
Dongguk Jeongun represents one of the earliest systematic studies of phonology in East Asia.
It preserved valuable information about the pronunciation of both Middle Chinese and early Korean, making it an indispensable resource for modern linguists and historians.
More importantly, the work reflected the Joseon government's commitment to education, standardization, and intellectual advancement.
By establishing clear pronunciation standards, it helped strengthen communication and scholarship throughout the nation.
🌿 4. Preservation and Cultural Legacy
The Dongguk Jeongun remains one of Korea's most important linguistic and educational documents.
Designated National Treasure No. 72, it provides invaluable evidence of the early practical application of Hangul and the remarkable scholarship achieved during King Sejong's reign.
Even today, researchers continue to study this work to better understand the history of Korean language, phonetics, and East Asian linguistics.
It reminds us that a writing system becomes truly powerful when it is supported by knowledge, education, and careful study.
💬 5. A Warm Reflection
“A language becomes stronger
when its sounds are understood.
This book reminds us that
true wisdom is not only creating something new,
but also teaching others how to use it well.”
📌 Notice
The National Treasure number indicates the order of designation, not a ranking of value.
For more information, please visit the 👉 National Heritage Portal.
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