Korean Language: History, Structure, and Society

Korean Language Identity and Distribution

Korean is a Koreanic language native to the Korean Peninsula and spoken by approximately 81 million people. It is the official language of both South Korea and North Korea, where it has different names: Hangugeo in the South and Chosŏnŏ in the North. Korean is also spoken by Korean communities in northeastern China, including Yanbian and Changbai, as well as by Sakhalin Koreans and Koryo-saram communities in Central Asia. Since the early 21st century, the global spread of Korean popular culture has increased international interest in the language. Korean identity is closely connected to regional, historical, and political distinctions. North–South standard differences have developed since the establishment of separate governments, particularly in pronunciation, vocabulary, and writing practices, although the standards remain largely mutually intelligible. Regional dialects within each country may show greater variation than the differences between the two national standards. Jeju is closely related to Korean but is generally not mutually intelligible with it. Korean uses Hangul, an alphabet developed in the 15th century by King Sejong to promote literacy, while North Korea, South Korea, and overseas communities maintain distinct language policies and cultural associations.

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Korean Official and Minority Language Status

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