SE-JONG
Movements - 24
Ready Posture - CLOSED READY STANCE B


Pattern Meaning

SE-JONG is named after the greatest Korean King,
Se-Jong, who invented the Korean alphabet in 1443, and
was also a noted meteorologist. The diagram represents
the king, while the 24 movements refer to the 24 letters of
the Korean alphabet.
SE-JONG
V
Blue Cottage Taekwon-Do
Sejong the Great (May 6, 1397 – May 18, 1450, r. 1418 - 1450) was the fourth king of
the Choson Dynasty of Korea. He is best remembered for creating the native
Korean alphabet Hangul, despite strong opposition from the scholars educated in
hanja (Chinese script). Sejong is one of only two Korean rulers posthumously
honored with the appellation "the Great," the other being Gwanggaeto the Great of
Goguryeo.
Early life
Sejong was the third son of King Taejong. When he was sixteen, he became Grand
Prince Chungnyeong  and married a daughter of Sim On of Cheongsong ,
commonly known as Lady Sim  who later was given the title Princess-Consort
Soheon.
As a young prince, Sejong excelled in various studies and was favored by King
Taejong over his two older brothers.
Sejong's rise to the throne was different from most other kings. The eldest prince,
Yangnyung (양녕대군), viewing himself as lacking in the requisite skills for
kingship, believed that Sejong was destined to become king. Together with the
second prince Hyoryung, he believed it was their duty to place Sejong as king. So
they acted extremely rudely in the court, and soon were banished from Seoul.
This ploy of the two princes ultimately brought Sejong to the throne. The eldest
prince became a wandering traveler and lived in the mountains. The second son
travelled to a Buddhist temple, where he became a monk.
In June 1418, King Taejong abdicated and Sejong was crowned King of Joseon (in
August of the same year) and began his rule. (Taejong helped in military as ex-
king for 4 years, and died in 1422)

Hangul
King Sejong the Great made a great impact on Korean history with his introduction
of Hangul, the native phonemic alphabet system for the Korean language.
Before the creation of Hangul, only members of the highest class were literate.
Hanja, the written language of that time, represented the Korean spoken language
by using Chinese characters. One would have to learn the Chinese language in
order to read and write with Hanja. Cumbersome, it disadvantaged the lower
classes.
King Sejong presided over the introduction of the 28 letters of the Korean alphabet
in order that Koreans from all classes could read and write. He also attempted to
establish a cultural identity of his people because they had their own written
language. First published in 1446, anyone could learn Hangul in a matter of days,
and although banned 60 years later it experienced a revival in post-WWII Korea
where it enjoys widespread usage today.

Strengthening of Korean Military
King Sejong was an effective military planner. During his era, he sent an army to
destroy the increasing number of Japanese pirates appearing on Korean shores.
Naval engagements quieted much pirate activity, and led to the invasion of the
Japanese island of Tsushima. Korea controlled the island after this and Korean
civilians were allowed to live in Tsushima. After King Sejong's rule, however,
Tsushima fell back into Japanese control.
On the northern border, he established four forts and six posts (Hangul :Hanja :to
safeguard his people from the hostile Chinese and Manchurian nomads living in
Manchuria. He also created various military regulations to strengthen the safety of
his kingdom. King Sejong supported the advancement of Korean military
technology and cannon development increased. Different kinds of mortars and fire
arrows were tested as well using gunpowder.
In 1433, Sejong sent Kim Jong-seo, a prominent general, north to destroy the
Manchu. Kim's military campaign captured several castles, pushed north, and
restored Korean territory, roughly the present-day border between North Korea
and China.

Literature
Sejong overall, supported literature, and encouraged high class officials and
scholars to study at the court. King Sejong also oversaw the creation of Hangul
and announced it to the Korean people in the Hunminjeongeum, which was an
announcement composed of both Hangul and Hanja.
Although most of the government officials and the aristocracy opposed the usage
of Hangul, lower classes embraced it, became literate, and were able to
communicate among one another easily.
Sejong's personal writings are also highly regarded. He composed the famous
Yongbi Eocheon Ga (“Songs of Flying Dragons”, 1445), Seokbo Sangjeol
(“Episodes from the Life of Buddha”, July 1447), Worin Cheon-gang Jigok (“Songs
of the Moon Shining on a Thousand Rivers”, July 1447), and the reference
Dongguk Jeong-un (“Dictionary of Proper Sino-Korean Pronunciation”, September
1447).
Sejong established the Hall of Worthies Jiphyeonjeon) in 1420 in the royal palace,
Sejong gathered intellectuals from around Korea. The scholars of the Hall of
Worthies documented history, drafted documents and compiled books on various
topics. Korea culturally advanced through King Sejong's encouragement.
Following the principles of Neo-Confucianism, Sejong was also a humanitarian
who proclaimed that there must be three trials before a final judgment is reached,
and he prohibited brutality in the punishment of criminals, such as flogging.

Technology
Sejong is also credited with technological advances during his reign. During his
rule, Jang Yeong-sil (also, Chang Yongsil), who worked for the Palace Guard,
became known as a prominent inventor. Jang was naturally a creative and smart
thinker as a young person. However, Jang was at the bottom of the social class.
Sejong noticed Jang's skill and immediately called him to his court in Seoul. Upon
giving Jang a government position and power to invent anything, the officials
protested, believing that a low class person could not rise to power as a noble or a
higher class. Sejong instead believed that Jang had the skill and supported his
projects.
Jang invented the world's first rain gauge and created some significant water
clocks and sundials.
King Sejong wanted to help the farmers so he decided to create the farmer's
handbook. The book contained information about the different farming techniques
that he told the scientists to gather in different regions in Korea. Depending on the
land of the farmers, he allowed them to pay more or less taxes. By this action,
many farmers had fewer worries about keeping alive. Once the palace had a
surplus of food, King Sejong shared the food with the poor peasants or farmers
who needed it.

End of Reign 1450
Sejong died at the age of 53 and was buried at the Yeong Mausoleum  in 1450. His
successor was his first son, Munjong.
The street Sejongno and the Sejong Center for the Performing Arts – both located
in central Seoul – are named after King Sejong, and he is depicted on the South
Korean 10,000-Won note.

Family
Father: King Taejong
Mother: Queen Wongyeong  
Consorts:
Queen Soheon
Children:
King Munjong , 1st Son.
Grand Prince Su-yang, 2nd Son. later King Sejo.
Grand Prince Anpyeong, 3rd Son.
Grand Prince Im-yeong , 4th Son.
Grand Prince Gwangpyeong, 5th son.
Grand Prince Gumseong, 6th son.
Grand Prince Pyeongwon, 7th son.
Grand Prince Youngeung, 8th son.
Princess Jeongso, 1st daughter.
Princess Jeong-eui, 2nd daughter.
Se-Jong Illustrated
CLOSED
READY
STANCE B
Move the left
foot to B,
forming a left
walking stance
toward B at the
same time
executing a low
block to B with
the left forearm.
Bring the left
foot to the right
foot, and then
move the right
foot to A to form
a left L-stance
toward A while
executing a twin
forearm block.
Execute a middle
side piercing kick
to D with the right
foot.
Lower the right
foot to D, and
then move the
left foot to F to
form a left
walking stance
toward F while
executing a
rising block with
the left forearm.
Bring the left
foot to the right
foot, and then
move the right
foot to E to form
a sitting stance
toward D while
executing a
middle strike to
E with the right
knife-hand.
Bring the right
foot to the left
foot, forming a
closed ready
stance B toward
D.
Jump to D to form
a left X-stance
toward DG while
executing a high
side strike to D with
the left back fist,
bringing the right
finger belly to the
left side fist.
Move the right
foot to G,
forming a right
walking stance
toward G while
executing a high
punch to G with
the right fist.
Move the right
foot on line GH to
form a left fixed
stance toward H
while executing a
high guarding
block to H with
the forearm.
Move the right foot
to H, forming a
right walking
stance toward H
while executing a
middle thrust to H
with the right
straight finger tip.
Bring the right
foot to the left
foot, and then
move the left foot
to G to form a left
walking stance
toward G while
executing a high
side strike to G
with the left back
fist.
Move the left
foot on line GH
to form a sitting
stance toward
C while
executing a
scooping block
with the left
palm.
Execute a
middle turning
kick to C with the
left foot.
Lower the left foot
to C in a jumping
motion, forming a
left X-stance
toward CF while
executing a high
block to C with the
left double
forearm.
Move the right foot
to F to form a
sitting stance
toward C while
extending the right
fist horizontally to
C. Perform in a
slow motion.
Execute a front
strike to C with
the left back fist
while
maintaining a
sitting stance
toward C.
Bring the right
foot behind the
left foot, and then
move the left foot
to E, forming a left
diagonal stance
toward C while
executing a
pressing block
with a twin palm.
Execute a middle
block to C with a
double arc-hand
while forming a
left walking
stance toward CE.
Pull the left
reverse
foot-sword to the
right knee joint to
form a right
one-leg stance
toward C at the
same time
executing a high
side block to F
with the right
outer forearm and
a low side block to
E with the left
forearm.
Lower the left foot
to D forming a
right walking
stance toward C
while executing a
pressing block
with the right
palm. Perform in
a slow motion.
Pull the left
instep to the
hollow of the
right leg to form
a right one-leg
stance toward C
while striking the
left palm with the
right back
forearm.
Lower the left foot
to C, turning
clockwise to form
a right fixed
stance toward D
while thrusting to
C with the left side
elbow.
Move the right
foot to A, forming
a left L-stance
toward A while
executing a high
guarding block to
A with a
knife-hand.
Bring the right foot
to the left foot, and
then move the left
foot to B to form a
right L-stance
toward B while
executing a middle
punch to B with
the right fist.
Bring the left
foot back to a
ready posture.