Nice to meet you and welcome! 

As mayor of Ulsan, the hometown of Hangeul scholar Oesol Hyeonbae Choi, I am genuinely delighted to hold the International Typography Award Exhibition associated with the Oesol Hangeul Hanmadang in Ulsan—the hometown of Korean Hangeul scholar Hyeonbae Choi —on Hangeul Day in 2023. 

“Hangeul is life.” 

Hyeonbae Choi, who insisted that Hangul love is the way to love the country, personally practiced his love for Hangeul in extreme situations, even in the Japanese colonial period. In order to carry on his lofty spirit and to practice the love of Hangeul today, the city has held an Hangeul Day festival called ‘Oesol Hangeul Hanmadang’ for 11 years since 2012. 

In the “Oesol International Typography Award” exhibition, under the theme of “Letter and Image” as the Culture Rediscovery and Typography in the Ulsan Bangudae Petroglyphs,” the patterns engraved on the Bangudae Petroglyphs are a record of the lives and times of prehistoric people. I think they are playing the role of characters like Hangeul today. Therefore, I hope this event will be a meaningful place to spread the excellence of Hangeul and meet various character cultures from around the world simultaneously. 

I would like to express my deepest gratitude to the 42 domestic and foreign artists who participated in this international exhibition for their excellent work. In addition, I would like to thank Granshan, a highly respected international organization, for participating in our conference and exhibition. Finally, I particularly thank professor Chang Sik Kim who did a remarkable job at this event, from planning to execution. Also, 

I would like to thank Kim Jong-gul, CEO of Ubc Ulsan Broadcasting, and all the other officials for their efforts to develop Hangeul and art and culture. 

Best regards, 

June 25, 2023

Doo-gyum Kim 

Mayor, Ulsan Metropolitan City