Jeong Yak-yong

Who was Jeong Yak-yong?

Jeong Yak-yong, often simply known as ‘Dasan’, was born on the 16th day of the 6th lunar month, 1762, in Gwangju county, Gyeonggi province, and died there on the 22nd day of the 2nd lunar month, 1836. He was one of the greatest thinkers of the later Joseon period, wrote highly influential books about philosophy, science and theories of government, held significant administrative positions, was a close confident of King Jeongjo, and was noted as a poet. His philosophical position is often identified with the Silhak school, his concerns are better seen as explorations of Neo-Confucian themes. He spent 18 years in exile in Gangjin, South Jeolla province, from 1801 until 1818, on account of his membership of the Southerners faction, and also because of the Catholic faith of his elder brother. His clan originated in Naju, South Jeolla Province. At birth he was given the courtesy title Gwi’nong, later he was also known by the ja Miyong and Songbu 美庸; among his ho were Saam, Tagong, Taesu, Jahadoin, Cheolmasanin, Dasan, Yeoyudang, and Mundo. Korean Catholics sometimes claim that he was baptized with the name John Baptist, but there is no documentary proof of this.