http://xmodulo.com/2012/11/how-to-enable-korean-language-input-on-ubuntu.html

How to enable Korean language input keyboard on Ubuntu

Posted on November 1, 2012 by Dan Nanni 3 Comments

If you would like to use foreign language input on Ubuntu, there are two ways to enable foreign language input. One method is using Smart Common Input Method platform (SCIM), and the other one is to use Intelligent Input Bus (iBus).
SCIM is the original input method used to support dozens of different foreign languages in Ubuntu prior to Ubuntu version 9.10. However, SCIM is known to be somewhat unstable, may unduly eat up system resources, and could demand re-install from time to time.
iBus is a new input method platform designed to overcome some of the limitations of SCIM. Unlike SCIM, iBus has separate iBus daemon and client processes (e.g., input engines and configuration tools), and loads any necessary engine on demand. As such, iBus improves the modularity and stability of the input system, as well as save on startup time and memory footprint. iBus is the default input method framework in use for Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid) and higher.
If you would like to enable Korean language input on Ubuntu, you can use either SCIM or iBus, depending on your Ubuntu version.

Enable Korean language input on Ubuntu 9.04 and lower

Go to “System Settings” -> “Keyboard”. Click on “Layout Settings”. Click on “+” at the bottom to add Korean keyboard layout.
Now, install scim as follows.

$ sudo apt-get install scim-hangul

Log out and log in again. Go to “System Settings” -> “Language Support”. Choose scim-bridge in Keyboard input method system. Finally reboot.

At this point, you can now switch between English and Korean by pressing Ctrl+Space.

Enable Korean language input on Ubuntu 9.10 and higher

Although you can still use SCIM on newer versions of Ubuntu, it is recommended that you use iBus for reasons mentioned above. Note that if you have installed SCIM on your system before, you need to completely remove all SCIM-related packages (e.g., search for “SCIM” using synaptic), before installing iBus. The following guide on using iBus has been tested on Ubuntu 12.10 Desktop.
To install iBus, go to “System Settings” -> “Language Support”. Click on “Install/Remove Language”. Choose “Korean” language, and install it.
After having installed Korean language, choose “ibus” for Keyboard input method system in the same “Language Support” window.
On Ubuntu Dashboard, search for “Keyboard input methods”, and launch it. Under “Input Method” tab, click on “Customize active input methods”, and add “Korean” to input method. Under “General” tab, you can configure keyboard shortcuts to toggle between English and Korean. The default keyboard shortcut is Ctrl+Space.
If you would like to configure Hangul keyboard (e.g., dubeolsik, sebeolsik, etc), search for “IBus Hangul Preferences” in Ubuntu dashboard, and launch it to do that.
At this point, you can now toggle between English and Korean by pressing Ctrl+Space.