Hancom released a new version of their Hangul software, called "공공서식 한글" (Public Documents Hangul), earlier this year. This is a watered-down version of their main Hanword software, but importantly, it's free.
Hangul files are still a major part of conducting government business in Korea, and governmental offices frequently provide Hangul (.hwp) files on their websites for citizens to download, fill out, and submit for a variety of services.
But because it's a proprietary format, citizens would either have to (1) pay for a copy of the software which is expensive, (2) pirate a copy, or (3) download a free viewer app, print the document, fill it out by hand, and then physically bring it in to the right departmental office. Not ideal.
So, the governement worked with Hancom to release a special Public version of Hanword that is free to download and use. Useful for e-filing the document.
Only for Windows at the moment, and a quick ~95MB download (.exe file).
This version is very limited in function: mainly, it's simply for filling out pre-made .hwp documents. For example, you can add text, tables, images, copy/paste information. But a lot of text format options are disabled including spell-check.
Another limitation is the presence of a watermark at the heading of your document indicating that it was printed from the Hangul Public version, as seen below:
Now depending on your situation, there are in theory two other use cases that you could get out of this lightweight official version.
If you already have the main official free Hangul Viewer installed, you may notice that it eats up relatively more space and can be slower to open, along with containing ads. As this Public version can open most HWP files itself, you might consider replacing the official viewer (the curent version of which is based on the older codeset) with this Public version (based on thew newer, once called Neo, codeset).
Since most people use the Hancom viewer to print or to copy content out of a document, this has potential to be easier in both of those cases, especially if you're just wanting to print certain portions.
This version gives a decent amount of leeway for editing/rearranging pre-made HWP documents. So you might even consider downloading a document and editing it until you've essentially erased everything and can start from scratch. Or, just use one of the many other free options out there to create a blank document or as close to a template as you need, and use this version to make whatever adjustments you need. You won't be able to format your document much, but in a pinch, it can serve as an emergency document mark-up. Obviously one of the other cloud-based versions would be far superior, but this could be a plan C or D if stuff really hits the fan.
The download is free from Hancom's "MalangMalang" site. Just visit https://www.malangmalang.com/pubhwp and hit the download (공공서식 한글 다운로드) red button.
Overall it's good that they are providing this to facilitate an easier time for citizens to download, fill out, and submit official documents. But it's still a ways from the long overdue move to a true open source government solution that's been mentioned for years now. Related: Korean government moves to Open Document (.odt) standard
For other options relating to using Hangul files, see my other posts on working with .HWP files.
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| Hangul Public version. Image: Korea.kr |
Hangul files are still a major part of conducting government business in Korea, and governmental offices frequently provide Hangul (.hwp) files on their websites for citizens to download, fill out, and submit for a variety of services.
But because it's a proprietary format, citizens would either have to (1) pay for a copy of the software which is expensive, (2) pirate a copy, or (3) download a free viewer app, print the document, fill it out by hand, and then physically bring it in to the right departmental office. Not ideal.
So, the governement worked with Hancom to release a special Public version of Hanword that is free to download and use. Useful for e-filing the document.
Only for Windows at the moment, and a quick ~95MB download (.exe file).
Public Document Hangul: a limited light-weight editor
This version is very limited in function: mainly, it's simply for filling out pre-made .hwp documents. For example, you can add text, tables, images, copy/paste information. But a lot of text format options are disabled including spell-check.
 |
| Some format and insertion options in Hangul public version. Image: 대한민국 행정안전부 |
Another limitation is the presence of a watermark at the heading of your document indicating that it was printed from the Hangul Public version, as seen below:
 |
| Public version watermark. Image: dungdungs |
Potential alternative uses
Now depending on your situation, there are in theory two other use cases that you could get out of this lightweight official version.
Alternative use 1: as a Hwp Viewer
If you already have the main official free Hangul Viewer installed, you may notice that it eats up relatively more space and can be slower to open, along with containing ads. As this Public version can open most HWP files itself, you might consider replacing the official viewer (the curent version of which is based on the older codeset) with this Public version (based on thew newer, once called Neo, codeset).
Since most people use the Hancom viewer to print or to copy content out of a document, this has potential to be easier in both of those cases, especially if you're just wanting to print certain portions.
Alternative use 2: as a lightweight HWP editor
This version gives a decent amount of leeway for editing/rearranging pre-made HWP documents. So you might even consider downloading a document and editing it until you've essentially erased everything and can start from scratch. Or, just use one of the many other free options out there to create a blank document or as close to a template as you need, and use this version to make whatever adjustments you need. You won't be able to format your document much, but in a pinch, it can serve as an emergency document mark-up. Obviously one of the other cloud-based versions would be far superior, but this could be a plan C or D if stuff really hits the fan.
Download
The download is free from Hancom's "MalangMalang" site. Just visit https://www.malangmalang.com/pubhwp and hit the download (공공서식 한글 다운로드) red button.
 |
| Hangul Public version download site |
Overall it's good that they are providing this to facilitate an easier time for citizens to download, fill out, and submit official documents. But it's still a ways from the long overdue move to a true open source government solution that's been mentioned for years now. Related: Korean government moves to Open Document (.odt) standard
For other options relating to using Hangul files, see my other posts on working with .HWP files.
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