[Anchor]
In contrast to companies embracing Hangeul as another competitive edge, criticism is rising that our public institutions are indiscriminately using foreign languages. In particular, English is being used even in official slogans symbolizing cities.
Reporter Yoo Soo-Hwan examines the state of language use in public institutions.
[Reporter]
In front of Seoul City Hall Plaza.
A large sculpture symbolizing Seoul stands tall.
Yet, from start to finish, it is entirely in English, with not a single Hangeul character to be found.
[Min Sun-woong, Choi A-young / Residents of Seoul: ("Seoul My Soul" is Seoul's slogan. Do you know what it means?) No.]
[Lee Ju-ri / Resident of Gyeonggi: (Do you happen to know what it means?) I'm not really sure.]
[Kim Tae-sung, Kim Hyun-sook / Residents of Seoul: Seoul is my soul?]
According to the Seoul Metropolitan Government, the slogan means "When hearts come together, it becomes Seoul."
Gyeonggi's "Go Great Gyeonggi," Busan's "Busan Is Good," and Incheon's "All Ways Incheon"—including Seoul, 8 out of the country's 16 metropolitan and provincial local governments, exactly half, were found using English official slogans instead of Hangeul.
[Kim Tae-sung, Kim Hyun-sook / Residents of Seoul: I think creating slogans in Hangeul sounds like a much better idea. I understand that items like souvenirs from the National Museum of Korea are actually even more popular, and so on...]
Experts point out that such English slogans could hinder the integration of citizens.
[Lee Geon-bum, Head of the Hankuk Rumong Solidarity (Hangeul Cultural Solidarity): It is a bit difficult to truly feel like it is a slogan for our city or region. Also, foreigners are visiting in droves because of the Hallyu wave and interest in Hangeul...]
The situation is largely no different for public language used by government ministries in various policy promotional materials and press releases.
Unfamiliar foreign words and loanwords such as "digital literacy," "town hall meeting," and "blood sugar spike" appear just as they are.
Even though they are official government announcements, citizens may not be able to understand them.
[Lee Geon-bum, Hangeul Cultural Solidarity: There are definitely people who cannot understand. It is nothing short of alienating and excluding them from public information...]
Criticism is mounting that government agencies must first look back at the value of our native language.
(Video Journalist: Joo Beom, Kang Si-woo | Video Editor: Kim Jun-hee)
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