Why did King Sejong develop Hangul?

King Sejong, the fourth monarch of the Joseon dynasty, developed Hangul in 1443 primarily to improve literacy among the Korean people.12

Before this invention, the Korean language was written using Chinese characters, which were difficult to learn and primarily accessible only to the elite class. By creating an easily learned, phonetic alphabet, Sejong sought to provide a practical system of communication for the general population. He originally named the script Hunminjeongeum, which translates to "Proper Sounds to Instruct the People," reflecting his intent to empower citizens through accessible education. Although the system was officially decreed in 1446, the influence of Confucianism and Chinese culture meant that the elite continued to favor Chinese characters for several centuries.1324