100th Anniversary of Hunmaengjeongeum’s Promulgation: Hanwha to Distribute 40,000 Braille Calendars Free of Charge

[Financial News] To mark the 100th anniversary of the promulgation of Hunmaengjeongeum, Korean Braille, Hanwha Group will distribute 40,000 braille calendars free of charge for people with visual impairments.
Hanwha Group said on the 19th that it would produce 40,000 copies of the “2027 Hanwha Braille Calendar” and begin accepting applications. Applications are open from today through November 13.
The Hanwha Braille Calendar began in 2000 at the suggestion of Hanwha Group Chairman Kim Seung-youn, who had read a letter from a person with a visual impairment. At the time, Chairman Kim proposed producing the calendar, saying, “Let’s make it possible for people with visual impairments to share in the joy of the new year.” Starting with 5,000 copies in its first year, the calendars have been produced and distributed every year for 27 years without interruption. By the end of last year, the cumulative number distributed had reached 1 million.
The braille calendar produced this year has braille and standard print side by side so that people with and without visual impairments can use it together. It provides information needed in daily life in braille, including dates and days of the week, lunar dates, solar terms and public holidays. The calendars also reflect the views of people with visual impairments on such features as print darkness and size, improving readability and convenience. The social enterprise Braille Publishing took part in production.
This year marks the 100th anniversary of the November 4, 1926, promulgation of Hunmaengjeongeum, Korean Braille, devised by Master Songam Park Du-seong. Hanwha has continued producing braille calendars in recognition of braille as an important means of helping people with visual impairments access information and live independently.
An estimated 250,000 people in South Korea have visual impairments, but annual production of braille calendars is reportedly around 50,000 copies. Hanwha Group distributes 40,000 of them free of charge. Last November, Hanwha also received a plaque of appreciation from the Korea Federation of the Blind in recognition of its achievement in producing and distributing a cumulative total of 1 million braille calendars, at a ceremony marking Korean Braille Day.
A Hanwha Group representative said, “The braille calendar is an initiative launched to help people with visual impairments check dates and schedules for themselves and plan the new year independently,” adding, “We will continue to produce and distribute braille calendars free of charge to make everyday life more convenient for people with visual impairments.”
Institutions and organizations serving people with visual impairments can apply for the braille calendar through the Hanwha Group website, while individuals with visual impairments can apply through the Hanwha Braille Calendar Office.



[email protected] Jeong Won-il Reporter