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Languages in North Korea

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The Korean language is the official and national language of North Korea. With more than 78 million speakers around the world, Korean language is spoken by people in North Korea, South Korea, and in China, as well as Koreans who have migrated to other countries. Formally called Chosono or Chosonmal in North Korea, the term “Korean” derived from the word “Goryeo” pertains to the 1st dynasty known to Western civilizations. The Korean language has remained controversial up until now since linguists all over the world have debated upon its linguistic origin. Some claim that it is of the Altaic family, while some believe it is a language isolate. However, Korean language still remains to be adopted and used by its speakers which speak of their tradition and culture.

The Korean language has many dialects and its standard dialect used in North Korea is the P’yongan dialect which is spoken in P’yongyang and in Chagang. Its regional dialects spoken in North Korea include: (1) Gangwon, which is spoken in Gangwon-do; (2) Hamgyong, which is spoken in Rason, Ryanggang, and Hamgyong; and (3) Hwanghae, which is spoken in the Hwanghae region.

King Sejong of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea made the Korean alphabet and was initially called Hunmin jeongeum or the “correct sounds for the instruction of the people.” At the present times it is called Hangeul (term coined by Ju Si-gyeong, a Korean linguist).

Learning the language may be quite difficult for non-Koreans due to the language’s complexity which is why learning the language means learning to love the Korean culture for you to grasp the ideas easier.