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영어

Hunminjeongeum has been known to be promulgated on September in the year of Sejong 28. It is on the basis of this judgment that Hangeul's day has been commemorated every year on the 9th of October. However, this previous thought is highly likely to be a misjudgment that would be derived from a misinterpretation of related contents of Sejongsillok. In the reports of October, Sejongsillok 28, the following writing is found: “是月訓民正音成”. The thing is that many scholars have interpreted this as meaning ‘publication of Hunminjeongeum’, identifying the latter as its promulgation. At that time the publication and distribution of documents is major means of their promulgation. However, the recording of “是月訓民正音成” should be read as meaning ‘completion of compilation’ rather than ‘publication’, taking into consideration other documents such as 東國正韻. Existence of the preface written by Jeong, In Ji supports this opinion. Therefore, Hunminjeongeum cannot be said to be promulgated on September, Sejong 28, if it were not published and distributed on this day. It is likely to be the case that in the fifteenth century hand-written books were more circulated than published books. The former has not been transmitted up to now, so that due attention has not been paid to it, but more attention and discussion should be necessary.