[우리문화신문=김슬옹 교수]  

세종대왕이 한글을 창제하고 두 달이 지난 1444년(세종 26년) 2월에 최만리를 비롯해 신석조, 김문, 정창손, 하위지, 송처검, 조근 등이 한글을 반대하는 상소문을 올리는 사건이 일어났다. 그들은 한글 창제는 중국을 떠받드는 사대주의에 어긋나는 일이며, 학문에 정진하는 데 한글이 손해를 끼치며, 억울한 죄인이 생기는 것은 죄인을 다루는 관리들이 공정하지 못한 탓이지 죄인들이 문자를 몰라서가 아니라고 주장했다.

이에 세종대왕은 중국의 것을 따를 것은 따르되 우리의 것을 지켜 나가야 한다는 생각을 말했고,, 한글 창제는 학문만을 위해 필요한 것이 아니라 백성들이 편안하게 쓰는 데 필요하다는 것을 강조했다. 그렇게 세종대왕은 신하들을 설득해 더욱더 철저하게 한글 반포를 준비했다.

The Officials Petition Against Hangeul

Two months after King Sejong the Great created Hangeul, in February 1444 (the 26th year of Sejong’s reign), an incident occurred where officials, including Choi Man-ri, Shin Seok-jo, Kim Mun, Jeong Chang-son, Ha Wi-ji, Song Cheo-geom, and Jo Geun, submitted a petition opposing the creation of Hangeul. They argued that the invention of Hangeul was contrary to Confucian values that honored China, that Hangeul would hinder scholarly advancement, and that the existence of innocent criminals was not because they were unable to read, but because the officials who handled them were not fair. In response, King Sejong emphasized that while it is important to follow China’s practices when necessary, it was also essential to preserve and protect Korea’s own culture. He stressed that the creation of Hangeul was not just for scholarly purposes, but was necessary for the convenience of the common people. Thus, King Sejong persuaded his officials and further prepared for the widespread adoption of Hangeul.