In connection with the recent research trend in sound-meaning regularity, this article takes several novel approaches. In an effort to extend the current scope to non-European languages, the study focuses on Korean, including its comparatively new orthography. By choosing 74 Swadesh words as its sample, it not only looks at fundamental aspect of the language, but also facilitates future research to compare various languages. To measure them more precisely, criteria for Korean phonology and orthography were created. For semantic distances, Latent Semantic Analysis was used considering its ability to capture authentic dynamics of language. A significant, negative correlation was found between sounds and meanings as well as orthography and meanings, particularly within the semantic space of younger readers. Distinct sounds to indicate potentially confusing objects are considered to be an adaptive mechanism for children to acquire language. The study also numerically revealed how well Korean orthography represents its sounds.