Answer:
King Sejong of the Chosen Dynasty (1393-1910) created the Korean alphabet (Han Gul) in 1446.
His intention was to make literacy easier for his people. Unlike Chinese the symbols of Han Gul combine to make sounds - somewhat like English. The original name of the alphabet he created was "Hunmin chong-um" which translates as "the correct sounds for the instruction of the people".
Legend has it that he observed silk worms eating mulberry leaves and thought that each shape could represent one sound.