U.S. scholar receives medal for contribution to Hangeul studies

Robert Ramsey, director of the center of East Asian Studies at the University of Maryland, is to receive an Order of Cultural Merit from the Korean government, along with nine others who have contributed to the study and promotion of Hangeul, the Culture Ministry said Monday.

Ramsey, 72, is known for his research into the Korean language. In 2011, he published “A History of the Korean Language,” the first history book on the subject ever written in English.

The 2013 list of medal recipients also includes the late Korean scholar Kim Hyeong-gyoo (1911-1998), who codified the standard spelling system of Hangeul as well as the rules of the standard Korean language. Kim researched and studied the Korean language for nearly half a century, being also responsible for creating a Romanization system for Hangeul.

Among other recipients are Mongolian professor Baldandorj Sumiyabaatar, who has been researching Korean language, as well as Seoul National University professor emeritus Lee Byung-geun.

The awards ceremony will be held on Oct. 9, Hangeul Day, the ministry said.

By Claire Lee (dyc@heraldcorp.com)