The nation marked the 571st anniversary of the creation of Hangeul, the Korean alphabet, on Monday
 
A ceremony to mark the occasion was held at the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts in Seoul amid the attendance of some three-thousand people, including figures from various social standings, foreign diplomats, citizens and students.
 
For the first time, the program of the congratulatory ceremony was written out strictly in Hangeul instead of using Chinese characters.
 
Awards and medals were presented to six individuals and four organizations that contributed to advancing the Korean language. Among the individuals who were recognized were  professor a professor emeritus at Kookmin University, Song Min, and Professor Antonio Doménech of the University of Malaga.