Major U.S. newspapers have reported about an Indonesian minority tribe's use of the Korean alphabet "hangeul" as its official writing system.

The Wall Street Journal reported Friday that the tribe designated hangeul as its official alphabet to transcribe its aboriginal language.

The paper says Koreans are proud of their alphabet, which was invented by King Sejong, and are determined to spread the Korean script to more foreign regions, challenging Chinese characters and the Roman alphabet.

The New York Times said Saturday that hangeul is emerging as a new Korean export.