Korean Language
The Korean language is depicted through an alphabet commonly called the Han-gul, which was developed to help the common man learn to read. Today there is a divide in the dialects of Northern and Southern Korea, and the South Korean dialect is most commonly learned by people in different countries.
Korean Alphabet
The Korean alphabet is actually a very scientifically designed set of characters that contains 24 letters. The Han-gun, as the alphabet is called, was developed by a Korean king who was annoyed that common Korean people couldn't learn the complicated characters of the Chinese alphabet. The Chinese alphabet was being used at that time and could only be understood by the rich and educated.
Korean Words
Most Korean words can be expressed both through letters and through the corresponding characters. For instance, "goodbye" can be translated as annyonghi kyeseyo, but in Korea, specialized characters are often used when writing this expression. Unlike the Chinese characters, individual letters are usually characterized, not entire words.
North Korean Language
North Korean language differs in several ways from the language in South Korea, due in large part to the long separation of the two areas. Leaders of North Korea have been determined for years to rid Korea, including the language, of foreign influence. Thus, many Chinese and Western loanwords have been cut from North Koreans' vocabulary and substituted with other words and phrases.
South Korean Language
The South Korean language depends heavily on a term called "honorific language." Honorific language applies deference to things like class and age. The South Korean dialect also borrows heavily from language spoken in and around Seoul. South Korean also contains much more Chinese influences than that of North Korean language.
Studying Korean Language
Studying Korean language is sometimes a complicated procedure because of the fault line between the Northern and Southern dialects. Overwhelmingly, tutors and schools teach more of the South Korean dialect because it has remained unchanged for hundreds of years. Having a knowledge of Chinese should help immensely while studying the Korean language.
Why Learn Korean?
A common question for many people is "Why learn Korean?" This seems a valid question, as Korean is not spoken predominantly outside an area in Asia. However, having a knowledge of multiple languages increases intelligence, and learning Korean could make learning an "important" language like Japanese or Chinese simpler.