r.4.0.

9 11/10/2018
r.3.7.2 9/19/2018
r.3.6.0 2/16/2015
r.2 Apr 2011
r.1 Jan 2006
1989 (first draft).

A Search for a better keyboard layout

for the Korean alphabet

1
 Contents

Introduction: Examining Problems in the Keyboard Layouts:

1. KSK vs. ARJ layout at a glance
2. Korean Keyboard layouts
3. KSK layout and its problems
4. ARJ Korean Keyboard Layout (2015 – final version)
5. Conclusion
6. How to implement ARJ layout
7. Remapping QWERTY keyboard to ARJ
Appendix on Korean Alphabet (Hangul)

See the separate file: Supplement for Korean Keyboard Layout Study

Part I

Historical Hangul Keyboard layouts

Examined candidates for the new layout
On the typewriters (English and Korean)
Virtual Keyboards

Part II

Terminologies
On Korean Alphabet
Online references on Korean Alphabet
Additional frequency data of Hangul jamo
Hangul in computer
Ergonomics for typing

2
 Introduction

It is to examine the current official standard (‘KSK’) in use since 1969 for a two-set
input layout for computer keyboard for touch typing a the Korean alphabet
('Hangul'b, '한글' in Korean), which is being used in conjunction with a computer
input method editor, such as Microsoft Korean Windows IME. c

It is to propose a new layout to be used. It is to be superior – a simple, concise,

intuitive layout, easy to learn and for typing. It follows ergonomic principle which
is based on the frequency data, the principle adopted in the Dvorak keyboard
layoutd, an alternative to the traditional QWERTY layout which was originally for
English typewriters.e

Hangul is the phonetic alphabet scientifically created specifically for the Korean
language for the Korean people in 1446 by Sejong, the fourth king of Joseon
Dynasty of Korea. It is the only alphabet which is known about who, why, how,
when of creation.

Note: often the word 'keyboard' is for 'keyboard layout', not a physical keyboard.

a 'touch tying' is in contrast to hunt-and-peck typing 'finger typing' ('독수리 타법'). An entirely different layout is
for 'thumb typing' to be used on small-screen mobile devices in Korean as well as in English.
b 'Hangul'; less commonly as 'Hangeul' in the standard Romanization scheme.
c Hangeul (Korean) Windows supports the KSC5601-1987 code set, which consists of several thousands Hangeul

characters. The Hangeul Windows IME (Input Method Editor) allows the user to enter Hangeul Jamos (24 basic
components of Hangeul characters), compose the final characters, and send them to applications.
d http://infohost.nmt.edu/~shipman/ergo/parkinson.html The Dvorak Simplified Keyboard: Forty Years of

Frustration
e 1873 by Christopher Latham Sholes. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Christopher_Latham_Sholes

3
 Examining Problems in the Keyboard Layouts:
A keyboard layout is a map or a definition of how keys are laid out on a keyboard (of
a typewriter or a computer). The keyboard layout used in a computer is determined by
software in the computer. The letters shown on the keytops indicate the standard
layout for the keyboard. There are many different keyboard layouts in use for
different languages throughout the world. More than one layout may be available for
one particular language.a

Writing Korean is simply by writing letters one after another just as in most languages
in the world. However, it follows a unique convention: placing two or more
constituent alphabet-characters (jamo)b to form a 'letter'c (글자 gŭlja) assembling
into a square dimension, in a writing method called '모아쓰기' ('assembled writing'
'syllable block writing). d Such a letter is a ‘syllabic character' as it constitutes a
syllable. e Thus, Korean is written f in these syllabic characters composed with
alphabetic characters. The pronunciation is a different topic to be dealt with. g

To design a practical mechanical typewriter for Korean in the beginning, what was
needed was minimal three sets of jamo in order to produce letters of acceptable
appearance – one set for vowel letters and two for consonant letters. A first practical
one invented by Dr. Gong (1949) with a 3-set input method (세벌식 Sebeolsik)
became widely used. It was efficient for speedy touch-typing.

Originally, a 4-set input layout for typewritersh was adopted in 1969 by the Korean
government. It was much less popular and inferior to the traditional 3-set input

a
From www.microsoft.com/enable/products/altkeyboard.aspx
b
자모 ja-mo =子母 (consonant 자음 子音+ vowel 모음 母音) (Cf. '음자 音字). 낱자 (nat-ja – ‘unit
letter’) refers to each of these.
c
English word 'letter' used for our topic is "a symbol used to write a language representing its sound.
Syn. 'character' which includes non-alphabet, such as numerals, punctation marks and other symbols.
d
'모아쓰기' ('assembled writing) ['syllable block writing'] which is in contrast to '풀어쓰기'
('unassembled writing'). Ref. https://pat.im/1175 [온라인 한글 입력기] 보태고 고친 풀어쓰기 기능
e
A syllabic character needs that each jamo take a different shape – smaller, elongated, or stretched to
fit in a square dimension. As the alphabet is phonetic, pronunciation of a letter, that is syllabic
character, is straightforward. However, one exception is when dealing with the final consonants which
follows a set of several clear well- defined rules
f
Originally the writing on a page is from top to bottom and from left to right. This was after the
writing style of Chinese in the premodern time.
g
. The pronunciation is a different topic to be dealt with. The pronunciation of letters is rather
straightforward as the alphabet is phonetic. There are, however, several well-defined rules to
pronounce syllables. These deal with a final consonant when followed by an initial consonant or by a
vowel (that is, with a null consonant ㅇ as the initial consonant).
h
For typewriters with a 4-set input method (네벌식 Nebeolsik) it requires two sets for consonants and
two sets of vowels was made afterwards. The sole benefit was that it was able to produce type-written
words esthetically pleasing but difficult to learn and slow in typing; its use was limited as it was more
expensive.
4
typewriter layout then widely used. It was proposed along with a 2-set input layout
for teletypea used, in 'unassembled writing mode', not assembling jamo into syllabic
characters.

Now being completely freed from the constrains imposed by the design of mechanical
typewriters, Korean alphabet input on a computer keyboard needs only two sets, one
for consonant letters and one for vowel letters. It is simpler and easier than the 3-set
input layout that was required for typewriters. As alphabet letters/characters (자모 ja-
mo) are entered one after another by pressing keys on a keyboard, they are being
encoded by a program which automatically assembles them into Korean letters
(syllabic characters), such as Microsoft Korean Windows Input Method Editor (IME).
This is an essential component for computer keyboard input of Korean language.

The current official layout for the input method (입력 방식; 入力 方式) is the Korean
Standard Keyboardb which is a 2-set input method (두벌식 Dubeolsik) adopted by the
Korean government in 1982. It was simply carried over from the then official 4-set
input layout for the mechanical typewriters. It did not undergo a careful study to
examine actual computer keyboard use.

For considerable period of time (in late 2000’s) some preferred the traditional 3- set
input layout, which was also a carry-over from the typewriters. In this information
age, however, there is simply nothing to be gained by using three-set input layout
over two-set input. Actually, their dislike of the new two-set input layout was not over
the 2-set input method per se but over the deficiency of the particular layout of KSK,
which shows illogical placement of alphabet-characters and lack of due consideration
for ergonomics.c

Since mid-1980's I began to look into the physical keyboards and the layouts in order
problem of a new design as we were well into the age of personal computing. It was
prompted by the Dvorak Simplified Keyboard layout ('DSK') which was developed as
an alternative to QWERTY layout. It became possible to use Dvorak layout on PC
when a keyboard remapping program became available on IBM PCd. Eventually it
became to be supported within Windows OS with Korean Windows IME. [when?]
Eventually it led me to look into how to input Korean letters with a layout for Korean
alphabet for a computer keyboard.e

a
[Ref: for the exact teletype keyboard layout]
b
Hereafter “KSK” – In 1982, a new standard computer keyboard layout, called KS C5715. (Renamed as
KS X-5002 in 1992).
c
For ergonomic consideration, see Ref. www.daskeyboard.com/blog/typing-through-time- the-history-
of-the-keyboard/. [Ref: August Dvorak et al. (1936), Typewriting Behavior: Psychology Applied to
Teaching and Learning Typewriting]
d
IBM introduced the first personal computer in Aug. 1981. Ref. <The Birth of the IBM PC>www-
03.ibm.com/ibm/history/exhibits/pc25/pc25_birth.html
e
Ref: (1) First IBM-compatible PC was made 1984 in Korea. [Dedrick & Kraemer (1998) Asia's
Computer Challenge: Threat or Opportunity for the United States and the World? p.127]
(2) First Hangul word processor for MS-DOS in 1989.
(3) https://net.its.hawaii.edu/history/Korean_Internet_History.pdf
5
For typewriters in the past, and now for computer keyboards, the very 'key' for a
keyboard layout of choice is speed, accuracy, and reduced workload on fingers. When
it is also easier to learn, what else is there to ask more for a layout?

A better keyboard layout for Korean language is something worth to be considered.

Proposed here is a new layout, which is designed with ergonomics in mind. Long
overdue as a replacement, it easier to learn and memorized, and easier to be
proficient in typing (accuracy and speed) and reduced fatigue with workload
efficiently distributed to the hands and fingers.

6
 1. KSK, ARJ, and English Keyboard layouts

1.1. KSK vs. ARJ at a glance

←Finger
V IV III II II III IV V
Row ↓

KSK-1969
ㅂ ㅈ ㄷ ㄱ ㅅ ㅛ ㅕ ㅑ ㅐ ㅔ Top
ㅁ ㄴ ㅇ ㄹ ㅎ ㅗ ㅓ ㅏ ㅣ ; Home

ㅋ ㅌ ㅊ ㅍ ㅠ ㅜ ㅡ < , > . ? / Bottom

ARJ-2015

ㅠ ㅕ ㅡ ㅑ ㅛ ㅎ ㄷ ㅂ ㅅ ㅁ Top

ㅜ ㅓ ㅣ ㅏ ㅗ ㅈ ㄴ ㅇ ㄱ ㄹ Home

? / ㅔ >. ㅐ < , ㅊ ㅌ ㅍ ㅋ : ; Bottom

jamo On normal status keys On shift status keys ∆

Vowel 10 2 (ㅔ ㅐ) 2 (ㅖ ㅒ) 14
Consonant 10 4 (ㅊ ㅌ ㅍ ㅋ) 5 (ㅉ ㄸ ㅃ ㄲ ㅆ) 19
26 7 31

Mnemonic for Consonants on the Right-hand:

하다보시면
자녀오기를

7
 Keyboard layout comparison: QWERTY/Dvorak & KSK/ARJ

V IV III II II III IV V Finger

KSK-1969
ㅂ ㅈ ㄷ ㄱ ㅅ ㅛ ㅕ ㅑ ㅐ ㅔ
ㅁ ㄴ ㅇ ㄹ ㅎ ㅗ ㅓ ㅏ ㅣ ;
ㅋ ㅌ ㅊ ㅍ ㅠ ㅜ ㅡ < , > . ? /

ARJ-2015
ㅠ ㅕ ㅡ ㅑ ㅛ ㅎ ㄷ ㅂ ㅅ ㅁ
ㅜ ㅓ ㅣ ㅏ ㅗ ㅈ ㄴ ㅇ ㄱ ㄹ
? / ㅔ >. ㅐ < , ㅊ ㅌ ㅍ ㅋ : ;

8
 Left vs. Right hand Workload comparison: KSK/ARJ, QWERTY/Dvorak

↓ Layout \ workload → % Left Hand % Right Hand

KSK (1982) 58 42
Korean
ARJ (2015) 42 58

QWERTY (1873) 57 43
English
Dvorak (1936) 44 56

English Alphabet

English Alphabet (shown in uppercase)

26 (5 vowels = 20 + 1 consonants)

A B C D
E F G H
I J K L M N
O P Q R S T
U V W X Ya Z

QWERTY vs. Dvorak Keyboard layout

Q W E R T Y U I O P {[
"' <, >. P Y F G C R L /
S D F G H J K L :; "'
A O E U I D H T N S -
Z X C V B N <, >. ?/
:; Q J K X B M W V Z

a
Ref. for 'y' – consonant, vowel, semivowel? - https://en.oxforddictionaries.com/explore/is-the-
letter-y-a-vowel-or-a-consonant/

9
 1.2. Comparison of Spatial Relations in KSK & ARJ
KSK: haphazard disorienting spatial relation – different fingers assigned for paired
jamo (as shown by dotted lines). Note: a slanted arrangement in the traditional physical
keyboard for typewriters.

ARJ: Paired jamo assigned on the same finger. Vowel jamo in symmetric harmony.
Note: the ortho-linear key-row arrangement, more functional, on the physical keyboard
especially with a left-and-right half split design.

The vowel jamo ㅣplacement:

• A figure of a man standing upright is for the mIddle finger on the home row.
Both of a similar shape.
• It is in the position of E in Dvorak layout. Its sound is same as Korean ㅣ.
• It is in the position of D in Qwerty layout. Its vowel sound is same as Koran ㅣ.

Mnemonic for the vowel jamo placement:

하다보시면
자녀오기를
10
1.3 KSK vs. ARJ with frequency data
KSK
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

22.61
ㅂ ㅈ ㄷ ㄱ ㅅ ㅛ ㅕ ㅑ ㅐㅔ _- += 17.57

33.10
ㅁ ㄴ ㅇ ㄹ ㅎ ㅗㅓ ㅏ ㅣ : ;‘ “ 38.13

2.64 ㅋ ㅌ ㅊ ㅍ ㅠ ㅜ ㅡ < , >. ? / |\ 2.38

12.84 17.29 14.12 8.43 8.8 12.05 9.08 9.67 1.77

58% 5.67 42%
22.55 20.93

[Note:ㅠ is not on the same hand with the rest of vowel letters.]
[Note: ㅋㅌㅊㅍ are in different column from the corrending basic letters.]

KSK in a mirror image (for the purpose of easy comparison with ARJ)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

17.57 ㅔ ㅐ ㅑ ㅕ ㅛ ㅅ ㄱ ㄷ ㅈ ㅂ 22.61

38.13 : ; ㅣ ㅏ ㅓ ㅗ ㅎ ㄹ ㅇ ㄴ ㅁ 33.10

2.38 ? / < , > . ㅡ ㅜ ㅠ ㅍ ㅊ ㅌ ㅋ | \ 2.64

12.05 8.8 8.43 14.12 17.29 12.84 5.67

42% 1.77 9.67 9.08 58%
20.93 22.55

11
ARJ layout – 2015 - the proposed new layout

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
0.26 1.93 5.80 0.26 0.39 3.13 3.97 2.52 5.02 2.93
8.64
ㅠ ㅕ ㅡ ㅑ ㅛ ㅎ ㄷ ㅂ ㅅ ㅁ 17.57
0.65 7.10
3.29 4.32 7.70 8.82 5.20 3.61 8.62 12.32 7.48 6.10

29.33 ㅜ ㅓ ㅣ ㅏ ㅗ ㅈ ㄴ ㅇ ㄱ ㄹ 38.13
14.2 12.23
1.93 1.97 1.00 0.61 0.54 0.23

3.90 < , ㅔ > . ㅐ ? / ㅊ ㅌ ㅍ ㅋ : ; 2.38

1.97 1.61
11.05 5.59 7.74 13.20 15.38 12.73 9.03
42% 3.55 8.18 13.50 58%
16.64 20.94

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

8.64 ㅠ ㅕ ㅡ ㅑ ㅛ ㅎ ㄷ ㅂ ㅅ ㅁ 17.57

29.33 ㅜ ㅓ ㅣ ㅏ ㅗ ㅈ ㄴ ㅇ ㄱ ㄹ 38.13

3.90 < , ㅔ > . ㅐ ? / ㅊ ㅌ ㅍ ㅋ : ; 2.38

11.05 5.59 7.74 13.20 15.38 12.73 9.03

42% 3.55 8.18 13.50 58%
19.23 20.94

12
1.4. Frequency distribution comparison in the Keyboard Layouts in English &
Korean:

Comparison of distribution of workload on the keys for QWERTY/Dvorak & KSK/ARJ

Left Hand Right Hand Rows

Column → V IV III II + I I + II III IV V %
52 Top
QWERTY 8.2 7.9 18.4 22.9 21.6 7.6 12.6 1.4 32 Home
16 Bottm
57 43
22 Top
Dvorak 8.1 8.8 12.8 14.2 18.5 15.3 13.4 8.9 70 Home
8 Bottm
44 56

29 Top
KSK 5.7 12.8 17.3 22.6 20.9 9.1 9.7 1.8 59 Home
12 Bottm
58 42
26 Top
ARJ 3.6 8.2 13.5 16.7 20.9 15.4 12.8 9.0 67 Home
6 Bottm
42 58

1.5. Various English Keyboard Layouts

[See <Supplement for Korean kbd layout study>]

QWERTY (Sholes) 1873

Dvorak Original 1936 [different in the numeric row]
Dvorak Simplified Keyboard
Light and Anderson (1993)
Colemak Keyboard Layout (2006)
Workman Keyboard Layout (2010)

13
 2. Korean Keyboard layouts
2.1. Keyboard layouts for Korean Hangul

Several different layouts for Korean alphabet for typewriters in the past and computer
keyboards of modern age have been developed over several decades. [See in the separate
Appendix files.]

2.1.1. Input methods (입력 방식; 入力 方式):

A two-set input method (두벌식) has one set for vowel letters and another set for
consonant letters to be assigned to the keys. Here, the initial and the final jamo are treated
exactly same for the purpose of input by typing.

In contrast, a three-set input method (세벌식) is with one set for vowel letters, but two
sets for consonant letters – total three sets (‘세벌’).

Hangul is of written symbols – (consonant or vowel) letters, not (consonant or vowel)

sounds. Hangul itself does not have sounds, it is a set of symbols to represent the sounds
(phonemes). It is a common mistake to say Hangul is with consonant sounds and vowel
sounds.

The job of assembling jamo into syllabic character is carried out in a computer by MS
Windows IME which processes the incoming scan codes generated by the keys pressed.
Unless one can only hunt-and-peck typing, actually watch the monitor to see how jamo
shows up and are assembled into characters is detrimental to typing in speed and
efficiency! The problem of so-called ‘ghost’ phenomenon with 2-set input method is no
longer an issue to annoy when fast touch typing is used!

14
2.2. Korean jamo for a two-set input method:
Total 33 (14 vowel jamo + 19 consonant jamo) are assigned to keys:
• 26 characters assigned to keys in normal status of the keyboard
= 12 vowels (incl. ㅐ, ㅔ) + 14 consonants (10 plain and 4 aspirated ㅋ, ㅌ, ㅍ, ㅊ);
• 7 characters assigned on the keys in shift status
= all 5 heavy consonants a (ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ, ㅉ, ㅆ) + 2 of compound vowels (ㅒ, ㅖ).

Total 19 are unassigned to keys:

All 11 consonant-clusters (used as final consonants) and all 7 complex vowel
letters are not assigned to keys – they only have to be input by consecutively
typing their component characters for a computer to assemble.

2.2.1. Vowel jamo (모음자):

('basic' 'compound' and 'complex' are the terms used on my own)

Vowel Characters (14) Key Status

Basic
Plain (6) ㅏㅓ ㅗ ㅜ ㅡ ㅣ
Iotized (4) ㅑ Normal (10)*
ㅕ ㅛ ㅠ
Compound (4) ㅐ ㅔ Normal (2)
ㅒ ㅖ Shift (2)
ㅘ ㅝ
Complex (7) ㅚ ㅟ ㅢ Unassigned (7)
ㅙ ㅞ

2.2.2. Consonant jamo (자음자):

Consonant characters (19) Key Status
Plain (10)
ㄴ ㄹ ㅁ ㅇ ㅎ
ㄱ ㄷ ㅂ ㅈ ㅅ Normal (14)*
Aspirated (4) ㅋ ㅌ ㅍ ㅊ
Heavy (5) ㄲ ㄸ ㅃ ㅉ ㅆ Shift (5)
‘Consonant-
ㄳㄵㄶㄺㄻㄼㄽㄾㄿㅀㅄ Unassigned
clusters’ (11)

* and * = These are 24 letters (jamo) of Modern Hangul (14 consonants + 10 vowels)

a
'heavy consonant', or 'double consonant letter'. A method of inputting these consonant jamo ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ,
ㅆ, ㅉ by placing them on the shift key position of the corresponding basic consonants. Input by two
consecutive keystrokes is inefficient for computer keyboard use. Moreover, without separating them by a
space, it is not possible to decipher how three consecutive input of a basic consonant is intended. E.g. ㄱ,
ㄱ, ㄱ – (1) either as a final ㄲ + initial ㄱ, or (2) a final ㄱ + initial ㄲ. The method is use on a handheld
device such as a smart phone.
15
2.3. Frequency data on Korean Alphabet

To come up with an ergonomic layout assigning of the alphabet characters for a

keyboard input, it is essential to consider two factors – (1) workload for each hand
(left vs. right) and relative strength of each finger and strain of finger movement and
(2) relative frequency of each alphabet obtained from the corpus of the language.

Finger movement: travel from the base position at the home row keys to reach top
and bottom rows and, for the index fingers (1st fingers) from the home position
diagonally to the top left/right and to the bottom left/right. The 5th fingers are
required to travel much (more so for the right 5th finger) for the keys other than
alphabet characters.

For the modern Korean alphabet, the two-set input method allocates total 24 phonetic
alphabet characters to the keys available on a keyboard. (2 hands x 3 rows x 5 keys =
30 keys; 7 for use of punctuation characters.)

The following table shows frequency data for alphabet characters to be considered for
a two-set input method (one set for the consonants and one set for the vowels) which
is a current official standard and is for use in Korean language support with
MicroSoft Windows IME a . Some discrepancy is shown when the figures are
calculated based on a different text corpus. However, its magnitude is not too big to
affect to find a layout of choice.

Note: colored 자음자 (ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ, ㅉ, ㅆ) and 모음자 (ㅒ, ㅖ) indicate shift key
status of corresponding ㄱ, ㄷ, ㅂ, ㅈ, ㅅ andㅒ, ㅖ on normal key status.

Note: ㅆ – much higher frequency than other tense (unaspirated) consonants. [That
does not mean that it deserves to be assigned on a normal status key as it was seen on
some old typewriter keyboards.] A break-down into initial and final consonant is to
be checked for jamo frequency data. It has no companion aspirated consonant.

a
Ref. on MS Windows IME for Korean language: http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-
8/input-method-editors https://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc194848.aspx
16
 2.3.1. Jamo frequency data for Korean Phonetic Characters
in a two-set input method for computer keyboards

Some inaccuracy in the calculation of frequencies on the original article needs to be

corrected. To be precise, the frequency for complex consonants, if present in the
corpus data, needs be broken down for each component jamo. Those data sets fit for
different input methods (2-set vs. 3-set) need to be carefully converted before they can
be usable.

Major differences from Corpus I & II:

Corpus I Corpus II Corpus III

Lt/Rt 42%/52% 43%/57% 42%/58%

ㅏ 8.82 10.65 9.94
ㅣ 7.7 10.24 8.30
ㄹ 6.10 2.73 4.69
ㅎ 3:13 5.41 3.39

The difference is found not significant enough to affect optimal assignment of keys.

17
 Table: Corpus 1 (after AhnMatae)

Consonant jamo Vowel jamo

자음자 (14 keys) 모음자 (12 keys)
ㄱ 8,918,457 7.23 7.48
ㄲ 301,733 0.25 ㅏ 10,874,389 8.82
ㄴ 10,631,946 8.62 ㅐ 2,432,866 1.97
ㄷ 4,570,188 3.70 3.97 ㅒ 8,244 <0.01
ㄸ 332,439 0.27 ㅑ 324,174 0.26
ㄹ 7,518,922 6.10
ㅁ 3,607,775 2.93 ㅓ 5,326,677 4.32
ㅂ 3,024,173 2.45 2.51 ㅔ 2,137,128 1.73
ㅃ 70,007 0.06 ㅖ 252,415 0.20
ㅅ 4,976,446 4.036 5.04 ㅕ 2,379,343 1.93
ㅆ 1,255,598 1.018
ㅇ 15,192,359 12.32 ㅗ 6,414,826 5.20
ㅈ 4,363,980 3.54 3.61 ㅛ 484,181 0.39
ㅉ 85,915 0.07
ㅎ 3,860,890 3.13 ㅜ 4,057,318 3.29
ㅠ 323,744 0.26
ㅊ 1,239,987 1.00
ㅋ 280,043 0.23 ㅡ 7,152,019 5.80
ㅌ 748,578 0.61 ㅣ 9,495,918 7.70
ㅍ 659,671 0.54
71,639,107 (58.1%) 51,663,242 (41.9%)
(consonants) 58.09% + (vowels) 41.87% = 99.96%
Total 총계 123,302,349 (100%)
Note: ㄲㄸㅃㅆ ㅉ andㅒㅖ are to be on the shift status on a keyboard.

Note: it is based on the corpus study found on Ahn Matae website, www.ahnmatae.org
https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/File:KB_Ahnmatae_Phonetic_Hangul_Keyboard.svg
www.earticle.net/article.aspx?sn=75478

18
 Table: Corpus II:

Vowels jamo Consonant jamo 자음자

(모음자) (중성)
ㅏ 13,689,931 10.65% ㄱ
ㅑ 332,418 0.26% ㄴ
ㅓ 7,463,805 5.81% ㄷ
ㅕ 2,631,758 2.05% ㄹ
ㅗ 6,414,826 4.99% ㅁ
ㅛ 484,181 0.38% ㅂ
ㅜ 4,057,318 3.16% ㅅ
ㅠ 323,744 0.25% ㅇ 11,662,702 9.07% ㅇ 3,831,390 2.98%
ㅡ 7,152,019 5.56% ㅈ
ㅣ 13,162,388 10.24% ㅎ
Subtotal
Initial (초성) Final (종성;받침)
7,267,860 5.65% ㄱ 2,564,812 2.00% 9,832,672 7.65%
2,924,966 2.28% ㄴ 8,807,278 6.85% 11,732,244 9.13%
5,455,034 4.24% ㄷ 216,178 0.17% 5,671,212 4.41%
3,218,705 2.50% ㄹ 300,217 0.23% 3,518,922 2.73%
2,517,171 1.96% ㅁ 1,360,795 1.06% 3,877,966 3.02%
2,785,000 2.17% ㅂ 968,851 0.75% 3,753,851 2.92%
4,496,611 3.50% ㅅ 1,821,348 1.42% 6,317,959 4.92%
15,494,092 12.05%
5,630,871 4.38% ㅈ 59,011 0.05% 5,689,882 4.43%
6,440,830 5.01% ㅎ 513,639 0.40% 6,954,469 5.41%

52,399,750 40.76% 20,443,519 15.9%

∆ 55,712,388 43.34% 72,843,269 56.66

총계 128,555,657
[ㅐ ㅔ are not counted separately; ㅆ as optionally on a key.]

Note: Separate for the initial jamo and the final jamo shown here (as well as complex
vowels) are for reference only, since they do not affect overall frequency distribution of
keystrokes.

19
 Table: Corpus III, a North Korean:

Consonants Vowels
ㄱ 8,918,457 7.83% ㅏ 11,257,069 9.94%
ㄲ 301,733 0.26 ㅐ 2,432,866 2.10
ㄴ 10,631,946 9.33 ㅑ 332,418 0.28
ㄷ 4,570,188 4.01
ㄸ 332,439 0.29
ㄹ 7,518,922 6.60 ㅓ 5,326,677 4.69
ㅁ 3,607,775 3. 17 ㅔ 2,137,128 2.31
ㅂ 3,024,173 2.66 ㅕ 2,631,758 2.09
ㅃ 70,007 0.06
ㅅ 4,976,446 4.37
ㅆ 1,255,598 1.10 ㅗ 6,414,826 5.63
ㅇ 15,192,359 4.56 ㅛ 484,181 0.43
ㅈ 4,363,980 3.83
ㅉ 85,915 0.08 ㅜ 4,057,318 3.56
ㅊ 1,239,987 1.09 ㅠ 323,744 0.28
ㅋ 280,043 0.25
ㅌ 748,578 0.66 ㅡ 7,152,019 6.28
ㅍ 659,671 0.58 ㅣ 9,121,486 8.30
ㅎ 3860890 3.39
71,639,107 (58. l%) 51,671,486 (41.9%)
Total 113,903,500 (100%)

20
 3. KSK layout and its problems:

The problem and its inadequacy are not because of a 2-set input layout, as accused by
many, but its layout of jamo.

3.1. Vowels:

• ㅏ, ㅑ, ㅐ and ㅓ, ㅕ, ㅔ
It is logical to place each triplet in the same column. KSK defies any logical
explanation to have ㅛ, ㅕ, ㅐ, ㅔ placed at the upper row with no logical basis to
simple thrown ㅐ/ㅒ, ㅔ/ㅖ on the top row.
• ㅗ, ㅛ and ㅜ, ㅠ
each pair has to be in the same column. It is almost schizophrenic in KSK layout
which put ㅠ together with the consonant group, even on the different hand!).
3.2. Consonants:

• KSK has all of ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ, ㅉ, ㅆ placed on shift keys on the upper row,

without due regard for workload balance between upper and home rows. The home
row should take up heavier workload so that fingers do not have to move away
from its base position.
• KSK has all of ㅍ, ㅊ, ㅌ, ㅋ on the normal status (unshifted keys) at the bottom
row. However, they are not aligned to belong to the same column with their
corresponding basic consonants. Instead of aligning in the same columns for each
pair of ㅈ-ㅊ; ㄷ-ㅌ; ㅂ-ㅍ; ㄱ-ㅋ, the schizophrenic design KSK put ㅋ to the
column for ㅂ, and ㅍ to ㄱ, and ㅌ to ㅈ, and ㅊ to ㄷ – simply absurd!

3.3. Right vs. left hand:

In the two-input method, each group of consonant characters and vowel characters
should be for the different hand to be allocated on the left or right side of the keyboard.

Why the consonants should be placed for the right hand?

(1) It is natural to use the right-hand finger when we begin to type. The first character
in Korean writing is a consonant.
(2) More workload should be borne by the right-hand fingers than the left. The
frequency for the consonant keystroke is larger than for the vowels (58 % vs. 42 %).

The current official KSK with the consonant letters on the left hand of the keyboard is,
so to speak, made as if for a left-handed person!

21
3.4. Table: Korean Standard KBD
3.4.1. KSK

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
Q W E R T Y U I O P
22.61
ㅂ ㅈ ㄷ ㄱ ㅅ ㅛ ㅕ ㅑ ㅐ ㅔ 17.57
A S D F G H J K L
33.10
ㅁ ㄴ ㅇ ㄹ ㅎ ㅗ ㅓ ㅏ ㅣ ; 38.13
Z X C V B N M
2.64
ㅋ ㅌ ㅊ ㅍ ㅠ ㅜ ㅡ < , > . ? /
2.38

14.12 8.43 8.88 12.05

58% 5.67 12.84 17.29 22.55 20.93 9.08 9.67 1.77 42%
(left hand; consonants +ㅠ) 58.35% + (right hand; vowels - ㅠ) 41.63% = 99.96

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 -_ =+
ㅂ ㅈ ㄷ ㄱ ㅅ ㅛ ㅕ ㅑ ㅐ ㅔ
22.61 [ ] 6.50
2.51 3.61 3.97 7.48 5.04 0.39 1.93 0.26 1.97 1.93
12.52 2.32
ㅁ ㄴ ㅇ ㄹ ㅎ ㅗ ㅓ ㅏ ㅣ :; “'
33.10 26.04
2.93 8.62 12.32 6.10 3.13 5.20 4.32 8.82 7.70
9.23 9.52
ㅋ ㅌ ㅊ ㅍ ㅠ ㅜ ㅡ <, > :?/ “ \|
2.64 9.09
0.23 0.61 1.00 0.54 0.26 3.29 5.80
0.80 9.09
14.12 8.43 8.88 12.05
58% 5.67 12.84 17.29 22.55 20.93 9.08 9.67 1.77 42%

22
3.4.2. KSK (mirror-image – for comparison purpose)
<after reversing in mirror image for the right handed>
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
Q W E R T Y U I O P
6.50 ㅔ ㅐ ㅑ ㅕ ㅛ ㅅ ㄱ ㄷ ㅈ ㅂ 22.61

A S D F G H J K L ;
26.04 ㅣ ㅏ ㅓ ㅗ ㅎ ㄹ ㅇ ㄴ ㅁ 33.10

Z X C V B N M < , > . ? /
9.09 ㅡ ㅜ ㅠ ㅍ ㅊ ㅌ ㅋ 2.64
12.05 8.88 8.43 14.12
42% 1.77 9.67 9.08 20.93 22.55 17.29 12.84 5.67 58%

3.4.2.1. KSK table (mirror-image with frequency data)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0

ㅔ ㅐ ㅑ ㅕ ㅛ ㅅ ㄱ ㄷ ㅈ ㅂ
6.50 1.93 0.39 22.61
5.04 7.48 3.97 3.61 2.51
1.75 1.97 0.26
2.32 12.52
;: ㅣ ㅏ ㅓ ㅗ ㅎ ㄹ ㅇ ㄴ ㅁ
26.04 4.32 5.20 33.10
3.13 6.10 12.32 8.62 2.93
7.70 8.82 9.52 9.23
ㅡ ㅜ ㅠ ㅍ ㅊ ㅌ ㅋ
9.09 5.80 3.29 0.26 2.64
? . , 0.54 1.00 0.61 0.23
9.09 0.80

42% 1.75 9.67 9.08 12.05 8.88 8.43 14.12 17.29 12.84 5.67 58%
20.93 22.55

23
 4. ARJ Korean Keyboard Layout (2015 Final version):

4.1. ARJ 2015

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
Q W E R T Y U I O P
8.64
ㅠ ㅕ ㅡ ㅑ ㅛ ㅎ ㄷ ㅂ ㅅ ㅁ 17.57
A S D F G H J K L ;
29.33
ㅜ ㅓ ㅣ ㅏ ㅗ ㅈ ㄴ ㅇ ㄱ ㄹ 38.13
Z X C V B N M < , > . ? /
3.90 < , ㅔ > . ㅐ ? / ㅊ ㅌ ㅍ ㅋ : ;
2.38
11.05 5.59 7.74 13.20
42% 3.55 8.18 13.50 16.64 20.94 15.38 12.73 9.03 58%

4.2. ARJ 2015 (for details on frequency for each key)

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
0.26 1.93 5.80 0.26 0.39 3.13 3.97 2.52 5.02 2.93
17.57
8.64 ㅠ ㅕ ㅡ ㅑ ㅛ ㅎ ㄷ ㅂ ㅅ ㅁ
0.65 7.10
3.29 4.32 7.70 8.82 5.20 3.61 8.62 12.32 7.48 6.10
38.13
29.33 ㅜ ㅓ ㅣ ㅏ ㅗ ㅈ ㄴ ㅇ ㄱ ㄹ
14.02 12.23
1.93 1.97 1.00 0.61 0.54 0.23
3.90 < , /…?
2.38
ㅔ > . ㅐ ㅊ ㅌ ㅍ ㅋ : ;
1.61
11.05 5.59 7.74 13.20
42% 3.55 8.18 13.50 16.64 20.94 15.38 12.73 9.03 58%

In a given cell, at the top is QWERTY key position; below is frequency %. The prefix green to
Korean jamo indicates the original location in KSK in QWERTY. E.g. G- ㅎ means the original
location of ㅎ was at G in QWERTY.

24
5. Conclusion

A new layout ARJ Layout (2015) for a computer keyboard is proposed for use of Korean
alphabet:

(1) Easy to learn and easy to type by logical, intuitive placement of jamo: All that one
has to learn is the position of 15 jamo – 5 vowel letters (among 12 which are
assigned to keys), and 10 consonant letters (among 14 which are assigned to keys)
since everything else is placed logically and intuitively in relation to others in the
same columns with or without shifting.

(2) Ergonomic placement for easier and comfortable typing:

• Workload distribution on left vs. right hand in harmony with frequency of vowel
group and consonant group. The vowel group is on the right hand; the consonant
group is on the left hand.
• Workload distribution in harmony with efficiency (a) between the right and left
hands; (b) between four fingers with different strength and agility of each finger;
taken up most by the home row, least by the bottom row. (c) between the home,
upper and bottom rows. In addition, for vowels, a due attention is given the
symmetric harmony of vowel jamo.
• Minimal use of the shift key (limited only for 4 consonant letters ㅊ, ㅌ, ㅍ, ㅋ and 2
vowel letters ㅒ, ㅖ) is similar to KSK, except that two vowel jamoㅒ andㅒ are
now on shift statuse of the keys.
• Practice drill on computer keyboards with remapped keys for several candidate ARJ
layouts. It can be practiced (1) on programmable keyboards, (2) with a key
remapping program installed on the computer, or (3) ideally with a keyboard app for
a virtual keyboard, e.g. www.branah.com/korean online virtual keyboard for Korean
if it can only remap the keys. Cf. Another interesting app allows to input in Latin
alphabet which is convert into Korean (www.lexilogos.com/keyboard/korean.htm).

25
Mnemonic for Consonants on the Right-hand:
하다보시면
자네이기리

26
6. Remapping QWERTY keyboard to ARJ
[Note: key remapping should use the basic English keyboard QWERTY layout as the base
layout in order to avoid confusion.] [Key number # on a PC keyboard]
V IV III II II III IV V

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 _-

#17 #18 #19 #20 #21 #22 #23 #24 #25 #26 #27
Q W E R T Y U I O P {[
B- U- M- I- Y- G- E- Q- T- A- " '

ㅠ ㅕ ㅡ ㅑ ㅛ ㅎ ㄷ ㅂ ㅅ ㅁ {[

ㅂ ㅈ ㄷ ㄱ ㅅ ㅛ ㅕ ㅑ ㅐ ㅔ {[
"' <, >. P Y F G C R L ?/

#31 #32 #33 #34 #35 #36 #37 #38 #39 #40 #41
A S D F G H J K L :; "'
N- J- L- K- H- W- S- D- R- F- _-
ㅜ ㅓ ㅣ ㅏ ㅗ ㅈ ㄴ ㅇ ㄱ ㄹ _-

ㅁ ㄴ ㅇ ㄹ ㅎ ㅗ ㅓ ㅏ ㅣ :; "'
A O E U I D H T N S _-

#46 #47 #48 #49 #50 #51 #52 #53 #54 #55 #56
Z X C V B N M <, >. ?/ |\
?/ P- >. O- <, C- X- V- Z- :;
?/ ㅔ >. ㅐ <,
ㅊ ㅌ ㅍ ㅋ :;

ㅋ ㅌ ㅊ ㅍ ㅠ ㅜ ㅡ <, >. ?/
:; Q J K X B M W V Z

Key #
QWERTY layout
remapped layout
KSA layout
ARJ layout
Dvorak

27
QWERTY + KSK + (Intermediate + ARJ)
1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0 _-
Q W E R T Y U I O P {{
ㅂ ㅈ ㄷ ㄱ ㅅ ㅛ ㅕ ㅑ ㅐ ㅔ
B-ㅠ O-ㅕ M-ㅡ U-ㅑ Y-ㅛ G-ㅎ E-ㄷ Q-ㅂ T-ㅅ A-ㅁ

A S D F G H J K L :; "'
ㅁ ㄴ ㅇ ㄹ ㅎ ㅗ ㅓ ㅏ ㅣ
N-ㅜ J-ㅓ L-ㅣ K-ㅏ H-ㅗ W-ㅈ S-ㄴ D-ㅇ R-ㄱ F-ㄹ

Z X C V B N M < , > . ? /
ㅋ ㅌ ㅊ ㅍ ㅠ ㅜ ㅡ
? / P-ㅔ >. I-ㅐ < , C-ㅊ X-ㅌ V-ㅍ Z-ㅋ : ;

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
Q-ㅂ W-ㅈ E-ㄷ R-ㄱ T-ㅅ Y-ㅛ U-ㅕ I-ㅑ O-ㅐ P-ㅔ { [
B-ㅠ O-ㅕ M-ㅡ U-ㅑ Y-ㅛ G-ㅎ E-ㄷ Q-ㅂ T-ㅅ A-ㅁ
A-ㅁ S-ㄴ D-ㅇ F-ㄹ G-ㅎ H-ㅗ J-ㅓ K-ㅏ L-ㅣ :; "'
N-ㅜ J-ㅓ L-ㅣ K-ㅏ H-ㅗ W-ㅈ S-ㄴ D-ㅇ R-ㄱ F-ㄹ

Z-ㅋ X-ㅌ C-ㅊ V-ㅍ B-ㅠ N-ㅜ M-ㅡ < , > . ?/

C-ㅊ X-ㅌ V-ㅍ Z-ㅋ
? / P-ㅔ > . I-ㅐ < , :;

A simpler diagram: QWERTY + Intermediate + ARJ

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 0
Q W E R T Y U I O P
B-ㅠ U-ㅕ M-ㅡ I-ㅑ Y-ㅛ G-ㅎ E-ㄷ Q-ㅂ T-ㅅ A-ㅁ

A S D F G H J K L ;
N-ㅜ J-ㅓ L-ㅣ K-ㅏ H-ㅗ W-ㅈ S-ㄴ D-ㅇ R-ㄱ F-ㄹ
Z X C V B N M < , > . ? /
< , P-ㅔ > . O-ㅐ /…? C-ㅊ X-ㅌ V-ㅍ Z-ㅋ : ;

28
Key #55 bottom – unchanged; key #56 bottom – same in all layout.

On the KeyTweak program's pulldown menu –

punctuation marks are difficult to distinguish!

Important: once the computer layout is changed and rebooted to effect the change, it
remains changed until it is uninstalled. The keys to enter the password for the computer are
now different. You need to find what to enter your 'remapped' password on the chart. It is
better to have a simple password during the trial period for a new layout.

E.g. for a password 'do3use' on QWERTY keyboard, the new entry on this remapped
layout to effect the new proposed ARJ Korean layout should be 'kv3wju'.

29
Remap from QWERTY to Intermediate English layout for ARJ.

From To From To
1 A-ㅁ N-ㅜ 11 K-ㅏ D-ㅇ

2 B-ㅠ <, 12 L-ㅣ R-ㄱ

3 C-ㅊ >. 13 M-ㅡ X-ㅌ

4 D-ㅇ L-ㅣ 14 N-ㅜ C-ㅊ

5 E-ㄷ M-ㅡ 15 O-ㅐ T-ㅅ

6 F-ㄹ K-ㅏ 16 P-ㅔ A-ㅁ

7 G-ㅎ H-ㅗ 17 Q-ㅂ B-ㅠ

8 H-ㅗ W-ㅈ 18 R-ㄱ U-ㅑ

9 I-ㅑ Q-ㅂ 19 S-ㄴ J-ㅓ

10 J-ㅓ S-ㄴ 20 T-ㅅ Y-ㅛ

21 U-ㅕ E-ㄷ 27 <, V-ㅍ

22 V-ㅍ I-ㅐ 28 >. Z-ㅋ

23 W-ㅈ O-ㅕ 29 ?/ :;
24 X-ㅌ P-ㅔ 30 :; F-ㄹ

25 Y-ㅛ G-ㅎ

26 Z-ㅋ ?/

30
Remapping with SharpKeys

A B C D
E F G H
I J K L M N
O P Q R S T
U V W X Y Z

7. How to implement ARJ Layout:

(A) Keyboard remapping program.
Caution: When it requires reboot/log-off, the password for the computer is affected!!
Caution: One has to remember to reset the keyboard layout from within the program that created
the layout in case you want to revert back your changes before uninstalling the program.
(B) Windows Language bar (for toggling different keyboards) vs. dedicated toggle key on the
keyboard.
(C) USB dongle to export the remapped layout with an installer.
(D) Programmable keyboards
[See in the companion file <Supplement for Korean kbd layout study>.]

31
 Appendix: on Korean alphabet (Hangul)
1. The list of Hangul jamo
"(Modern) Hangul 24 letters" refer to those in blue (14 basic consonants) and in red (10
basic vowels).

Consonant jamo (14 basic; 30 total)

14 basic
10 plain
4 (tense) aspirated
5 tense unaspirated
11 consonant-clusters
ㄱ, ㄴ, ㄷ, ㄹ, ㅁ, ㅂ, ㅅ, ㅇ, ㅈ, ㅎ
ㅊ, ㅋ, ㅌ, ㅍ
ㅉ, ㄲ, ㄸ, ㅃ, ㅆ (in shift key state)
ㄳ, ㄵ, ㄶ, ㄺ, ㄻ, ㄼ, ㄽ, ㄾ, ㄿ, ㅀ, ㅄ

Vowel jamo (10 Basic; 21 total)

6 plain ㅏ, ㅓ, ㅗ, ㅜ, ㅡ, ㅣ
10 basic 4 iotized monophthongs
ㅑ, ㅕ, ㅛ, ㅠ
(with semivowel y sound)
2 monophthongs: ㅐ, ㅔ
3 iotized diphthongs: ㅒ, ㅖ,
ㅢ
6 diphthongs (with w sound or ㅣ) ㅘ, ㅙ; ㅝ, ㅞ; ㅚ,ㅟ

32
Conclusion: Hangul jamo for keyboard layout creation:

2. Preliminary considerations for the keyboard layout:

When we say 'set' (벌) in Korean it refers to a grouping of jamo (vowel, initial consonant
and final consonant group) which are assigned to keys on a keyboard. Here we are
dealing only with symbols (characters/letters/jamo), not their sounds. The two sets are
consonant jamo and vowel jamo. The three sets are initial consonant jamo, [middle]
vowel jamo and final consonant jamo.a

Analysis of workload on the keys on a keyboard for the group of alphabets and
punctuation marks: [Not. 'typing' refers to motion of the finger pressing on the
key for input of a character.
• Fingers
o Index Finger: very strong, short
o Middle Finger: strong, very long
o Ring Finger: weak, long
o Little Finger: weak, short
o Thumb: assigned for the key <space bar>.

• Movement on the keyboard

o The home-key positions (for 4x2 fingers) –workload is minimal
for typing.
o Vertical movement between the columns (reaching and folding;
from home key to the upper/bottom row)
o For index finger: side-to-side movement (between the home key
position to the next column) have increased workload;
Diagonally reaching for the top and bottom on first column
position has most workload.

a
https://pat.im/630 (두벌식, 세벌식 자판들에서 한글 낱자들이 차지한 글쇠 수 비교). The word '글쇠'
originally means a 'key' on a typewriter, not on a computer keyboard.
33
 Grading of the keys based on the relative amount of workload for
difficulty/strain in reaching or pressing them with the scale 1 being the
easiest and 5 being the most strenuous. This grading scale takes into
consideration the position of the keys, the strength of and length of the
fingers and the staggered nature of the keyboard.

Grading on work-load strain/difficulty

(on a conventional staggered arrangement)

Grading on a “matrix style” (“grid”) keyboard (ortholinear):

Data from: https://viralintrospection.wordpress.com/2010/09/06/a-different-

philosophy-in-designing-keyboard-layouts/

34
3. Study on how each jamo is assigned to a key:

• Use of the shift keysa is same as in KSK: for the consonants ㄲ ㄸ ㅃ ㅉ and ㅆ
(16‰ - this compares with 23‰ of ㅋ ㅌ ㅍ ㅊ and for the vowel ㅒ ㅖ (2 ‰).

• Consonants are for the right hand; vowels are for the left on the basis of
ergonomic consideration: Korean consonant and vowel groups are easily and
logically separable. Consonants and vowels should not be mixed on a hand, for
which KSK has blundered without ergonomic consideration. It fits the natural
rhythm of using the right hand for the first stroke of tying, which, in case of Korean,
is a consonant. The right hand which can take more work load matches well with the
frequency (58%) for the consonant keystrokes, which is higher than for the vowels
(42 %).

• Work distribution to each row: jamo with highest frequency should be assigned on
the home row, with the least on the bottom row.

• Assignment of jamo to each finger: workload is distributed to each finger

according to their efficiency (index finger > middle finger > 3rd finger > little finger).

• Alignment in columns: For the consonants, ㅈ-ㅊ; ㄷ-ㅌ; ㅂ-ㅍ; ㄱ-ㅋ- each
pair has to be in the same column. For the vowels, each triplet of ㅏ ㅑ ㅐ; ㅓ ㅕ ㅔ
as well as each pair of ㅗ ㅛ; ㅜ ㅠ has to reside on the same column. Such
placement which is logical with no ambiguity or confusion makes this layout easy to
learn and memorize. (Cf. Scatter-brained layout of KSK with ㅠon the different hand
separated from the rest of vowels!)

4. Study on how jamo is being input:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hangul#Jamo

How to input complex jamo – (a) simply serial key press; (a) dedicated key assigned; (3)
simulataneous two-key press (as in AhnMatae) for
(1) 11 consonant-clusters (only for the final consonant):
1. ㄳ (gs); 2. ㄵ (nz); 3. ㄶ (nh); 4. ㄺ (lg); 5. ㄻ (lm); 6. ㄼ (lb);
7. ㄽ (ls); 8. ㄾ (lt); 9. ㄿ (lp); 10. ㅀ (lh); 11. ㅄ (bs),
(2) 7 vowel-clusters: ㅘ (wa); ㅙ (wae); ㅚ (oe); ㅝ (weo); ㅞ (we); ㅟ (wi); ㅢ (yi).
(3) 4 diphthongs: ㅐ (ae); ㅒ (yae); ㅔ (e); ㅖ (ye);

a
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5. Pronunciation of Hangul:

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 Vowel jamo
ㅣ Tree (standing upright)
ㅏ after (tree)
ㅓ [ʌ, ə] before (tree)
ㅡ [ɯ, ɨ] Huuming; brook
ㅗ over
ㅜ under

ㅛ, ㅠ Yo; Yuuu
ㅑ, ㅕ Yaaah; Yeo

ㅐ, ㅔ At, dad; net, pet

For detail, see in the file <Supplement for Korean Keyboard Layout Study' for the
rules of pronunciation of Korean syllables and words:

[End]

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