How did the invention of Hangul affect Korean literature?

The invention of Hangul by King Sejong in 1443 was an epochal development that made a distinct vernacular Korean literature possible. By providing a phonetic system to write the Korean language, it allowed for the creation of literary works in the native tongue rather than relying solely on Classical Chinese.12

Early examples of literature written in Hangul included dynastic narrative poems like Yongbi ŏch’ŏn ka ("Songs of Flying Dragons") and Buddhist scriptures, which demonstrated the language's potential for literary expression. Furthermore, the script facilitated the production of instructional books, which were essential for spreading Confucian morals.1

Despite this innovation, Hangul did not immediately replace Chinese characters. Due to the deep influence of Chinese culture and the prestige of Confucianism, the elite class continued to use Hanja as their primary writing system for centuries. Consequently, much of Korean literature remained written in Chinese until the 20th century, even though Hangul had established the foundation for a national vernacular tradition.342