Concept and selection criteria for Korean Gukja (國字)

Abstract

Korean Gukja (國字), in general, have originality in the formative aspect of their characters and, along with Gugeumja (國音字) and Guguija (國義字), are classified as “Korean-originated Chinese characters.” This article analyzes two issues discovered during the process of comparative examination of the Gukja characters compiled in The Dictionary for Sino-Korean Words of Korean Origin (1992–1996) and A Study on the Chinese Characters of Korean Origin (2014). Firstly, this article analyzes issues raised regarding the concept and classification of Korean-originated Chinese characters. Secondly, it discusses the criteria imposed for the selection of Gukja characters based on those included in ancient Chinese literature and dictionaries. Finally, it analyzes examples with a focus on the originality of the configurational principles and motivation, which worked as a major factor for the selection of Gukja.