<P> While both North Korea and South Korea claim 99 percent literacy, a 2003 study found that 25 percent of those in the older generation in the South were not completely literate in Hangul . </P> <P> The Hunminjeongeum Society in Seoul attempts to spread the use of Hangul to unwritten languages of Asia . In 2009, Hangul was unofficially adopted by the town of Bau - Bau, in Southeast Sulawesi, Indonesia, to write the Cia - Cia language . A number of Indonesian Cia - Cia speakers who visited Seoul generated large media attention in South Korea, and they were greeted on their arrival by Oh Se - hoon, the mayor of Seoul . It was confirmed in October 2012 that the attempts to disseminate Hangul in Indonesia failed . Some people continue to use Hangul at home or co-officially . </P> <P> Hangul letters are called "jamo (자모)". There are 19 consonants and 21 vowels used in modern Hangul . </P> <P> The following consonants are used in modern Hangul: </P>

How many letters are in the korean alphabet