Yun Jeung


Yun Jeung or Yun Chŭng was a Confucian scholar in Korea during the late period of the Joseon dynasty. He was known as being a progressive thinker and for his opposition to the formalism and ritualism in the predominant philosophy of Chu Hsi. Yun Chung refused government office because he thought the Korean monarchy was corrupt, and spend his life teaching Sirhak ideas. He is known for the quote, "The king could exist without the people, but the people could not exist without the king."
Yun held ideological debates with Song Si-yeol, known as the Hoeni Sibi, over the matters of ritualism and politics.
Yun may also considered an early feminist, as he praised and honored female scholars of Confucianism, a position that was typically reserved for males.
He came from the Papyeong Yun clan.

Biography

Yun was born in 1629 in Jungseonbang. In 1642, he studied Neo confucianism with his father in a mountain.

Family

  • Father
  • * Yun Seon-geo
  • Mother
  • * Lady Yi of the Gongju Yi clan
  • Sibling
  • * Younger sister - Lady Yun
  • * Younger sister - Lady Yun
  • * Younger sister - Lady Yun
  • * Younger brother - Yun Chu
  • * Younger brother - Yun Jol
  • * Younger brother - Yun Eub
  • Spouse
  • * Lady Kwon of the Andong Kwon clan ; eldest daughter
  • Issue
  • * Son - Yun Haeng-gyo
  • * Son - Yun Chung-gyo
  • * Daughter - Lady Yun
  • ** Son-in-law - Im Jin-yeong

    Works

  • Myeongjaeyugo
  • Myeongjaeuiryemundap
  • Myeongjaeyuseo