The HWP to LaTeX Converter is an open-source initiative designed to bridge the gap between Hangul Word Processor (HWP) documents and the global scientific typesetting standard, LaTeX.
Developed with performance and privacy in mind, the core conversion engine is written in Go and compiled to WebAssembly (WASM). This architecture allows the entire conversion process to run directly in your web browser without sending any of your sensitive document data to an external server.
When you visit this site, a lightweight WASM module (`main.wasm`) is downloaded to your browser. This module contains the logic to parse HWP equation syntax and translate it into equivalent LaTeX commands.
For decades, the Hangul Word Processor (HWP) has been the de facto standard for document creation in Korea's academic and public sectors. While it offers a powerful equation editor, its reliance on a proprietary, infix-based scripting language creates a significant barrier when transitioning to international standards like LaTeX.
The fundamental difficulty lies in how HWP handles structure. While LaTeX uses a prefix notation (e.g., `\frac{a}{b}`), HWP uses an infix operator (`a OVER b`). As equations grow in complexity—with nested roots, matrices, and multi-level fractions—a simple search-and-replace approach becomes impossible. Our tool solves this by building a full Abstract Syntax Tree (AST) of the equation, ensuring correct precedence and nesting every time.
The HWP to LaTeX Converter is more than just a tool; it's a bridge between local document standards and the global scientific community. We aim to empower researchers, students, and educators by removing the tedious task of manual rewriting, allowing them to focus on what truly matters: the science itself.