Jeong Mong-ju (

Korean Korean may refer to: People and culture * Koreans, ethnic group originating in the Korean Peninsula * Korean cuisine * Korean culture * Korean language **Korean alphabet, known as Hangul or Chosŏn'gŭl **Korean dialects and the Jeju language ** ...

: 정몽주,

Hanja Hanja (Hangul: ; Hanja: , ), alternatively known as Hancha, are Chinese characters () used in the writing of Korean. Hanja was used as early as the Gojoseon period, the first ever Korean kingdom. (, ) refers to Sino-Korean vocabulary, ...

: 鄭夢周, January 13, 1338 – April 26, 1392), also known by his pen name Poeun (

: 포은), a historical figure during the transition period of the Korean dynasty moving from

Goryeo Goryeo (; ) was a Korean kingdom founded in 918, during a time of national division called the Later Three Kingdoms period, that unified and ruled the Korean Peninsula until 1392. Goryeo achieved what has been called a "true national unifica ...

(918-1392) to

Joseon Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and ...

(1392-1897). He was the last great figure of

in the late

period, and was exceptional in all aspects of academics, diplomacy, economics, military, and politics. He tried to reform

while maintaining the declining kingdom. He was opposed to

Yi Seong-gye Taejo of Joseon (4 November 1335 – 27 June 1408), born Yi Seong-gye (), was the founder and first ruler of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. After ascending to the throne, he changed his name to Yi Dan (), and reigned from 1392 to 1398. He was ...

(the 1st king of

) who was a radical revolutionary. He was assassinated by the men of

Yi Bang-won Taejong of Joseon (13 June 1367 – 8 June 1422), personal name Yi Bang-won ( Korean: 이방원; Hanja: 李芳遠), was the third ruler of the Joseon dynasty of Korea and the father of King Sejong the Great. Before ascending to the throne, ...

(the 2nd king of

), the son of

Biography

Jeong Mong-ju was born in

Yeongcheon Yeongcheon () is a city in North Gyeongsang Province, South Korea. Yeongcheon is located southeast of Seoul, in the southeast of North Gyeongsang Province. It is on the Gyeongbu Expressway linking Seoul and Busan, and is also the junction of t ...

Gyeongsang Gyeongsang ( ko, 경상도, ''Gyeongsang-do''; ) was one of the eight provinces of Korea during the Joseon dynasty. Gyeongsang was located in the southeast of Korea. The provincial capital was Daegu. The region was the birthplace of the Kingdo ...

province to a family from the Yeonil Jeong clan. At the age of 23, he took three different civil service literary examinations (

Gwageo The ''gwageo'' or ''kwago'' were the national civil service examinations under the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties of Korea. Typically quite demanding, these tests measured candidates' ability of writing composition and knowledge of the Chinese cl ...

) and received the highest marks possible on each of them.정몽주 鄭夢周
(in Korean) Nate /

Encyclopedia of Korean Culture The ''Encyclopedia of Korean Culture'' is a Korean language encyclopedia published by the Academy of Korean Studies and DongBang Media Co. The articles in the encyclopedia are aimed at readers who want to learn about Korean culture and history ...

In 1367, he became an instructor in

Neo-Confucianism Neo-Confucianism (, often shortened to ''lǐxué'' 理學, literally "School of Principle") is a moral, ethical, and metaphysical Chinese philosophy influenced by Confucianism, and originated with Han Yu (768–824) and Li Ao (772–841) in ...

at the

Gukjagam The Gukjagam, known at times as Gukhak or Seonggyungwan, was the highest educational institution of the Korean Goryeo dynasty. It was located at the capital, Gaegyeong (modern-day Kaesong), and provided advanced training in the Chinese classics ...

, then called Songgyungwan, whilst simultaneously holding a government position, and was a faithful public servant to

King U U of Goryeo (25 July 1365 – 31 December 1389) ruled Goryeo (Korea) as the 32nd king from 1374 until 1388. He was the only son of King Gongmin. Cultural background In the thirteenth century, Mongol forces had invaded China and established t ...

. The king had great confidence in his wide knowledge and good judgment, and so he participated in various national projects and his scholarly works earned him great respect in the Goryeo court. In 1372, Jeong Mong-ju visited

Ming Dynasty The Ming dynasty (), officially the Great Ming, was an Dynasties in Chinese history, imperial dynasty of China, ruling from 1368 to 1644 following the collapse of the Mongol Empire, Mongol-led Yuan dynasty. The Ming dynasty was the last ort ...

, as a diplomatic envoy. Around the time, as '' Waegu'' (왜구/ 倭寇) (Japanese pirate)'s invasions to the Korean Peninsula were extreme, Jeong Mong-ju was dispatched as a delegate to Kyūshū in Japan, in 1377. His negotiations led to promises of Japanese aid in defeating the pirates. At this time, the

tandai The term is a Kamakura is a city in Kanagawa Prefecture, Japan. Kamakura has an estimated population of 172,929 (1 September 2020) and a population density of 4,359 persons per km² over the total area of . Kamakura was designated as a city ...

of Kyūshū, Imagawa Sadayo, made several repressions against the Waegu, probably as a direct result of Jeong Mong-ju's diplomacy. There is reason to believe that Sadayo and Jeong Mong-ju negotiated directly as later Sadayo lost his position due to unlawful negotiations with Korea. Jeong Mong-ju traveled to the Ming Dynasty's capital city in 1384 and the negotiations with the Chinese led to peace with the Ming Dynasty in 1385. He also founded an institute devoted to the theories of

Confucianism Confucianism, also known as Ruism or Ru classicism, is a system of thought and behavior originating in ancient China. Variously described as tradition, a philosophy, a religion, a humanistic or rationalistic religion, a way of governing, or ...

. Following a banquet held for him, Jeong Mong-ju was assassinated in 1392 by five men on the Sonjuk Bridge in Gaeseong. Politically motivated, the murder was ordered by

(later

Taejong of Joseon Taejong of Joseon (13 June 1367 – 8 June 1422), personal name Yi Bang-won ( Korean: 이방원; Hanja: 李芳遠), was the third ruler of the Joseon dynasty of Korea and the father of King Sejong the Great. Before ascending to the throne, he ...

), the fifth son of

, who overthrew the Goryeo Dynasty in order to establish the Joseon Dynasty. Jeong Mong-ju was murdered because as he was a Goryeo Dynasty loyalist, and Yi Bang-won sought to eliminate his political opponents. Yi Bang-won recited a poem (''Hayeoga'', 하여가 / 何如歌) to dissuade Jeong Mong-ju from remaining loyal to the Goryeo court, but Jeong Mong-ju answered with another poem (''Dansimga'', 단심가 / 丹心歌) that affirmed his loyalty. Yi Seong-gye is said to have lamented Jeong Mong-ju's death and rebuked his son because Jeong Mong-ju was a highly regarded politician by the common people. The bridge where Jeong Mong-ju was murdered, nowadays in

North Korea North Korea, officially the Democratic People's Republic of Korea (DPRK), is a country in East Asia. It constitutes the northern half of the Korean Peninsula and shares borders with China and Russia to the north, at the Yalu (Amnok) and ...

, has now become a national monument of that country. A brown spot on one of the stones is said to be Jeong Mong-ju's bloodstain and is said to become red whenever it rains. Currently, his direct surviving descendants are his 28th - 36th generation, who reside all over the world. The 474-year-old Goryeo Dynasty symbolically ended with Jeong Mong-ju's death and was followed by the

Joseon Dynasty Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and ...

for 505 years (1392-1897). Jeong Mong-ju's noble death symbolizes his faithful allegiance to the king, and he was later venerated even by Joseon monarchs. In 1517, 125 years after his death, he was canonized into

Sungkyunkwan Sungkyunkwan was the foremost educational institution in Korea during the late Goryeo and Joseon Dynasties. Today, it sits in its original location, at the south end of the Humanities and Social Sciences Campus of Sungkyunkwan University in Seoul ...

(the National Academy) alongside other Korean sages such as

Yi Hwang Yi Hwang (January 3, 1502– January 3, 1571) was the most important Korean philosopher, writer, and Confucian scholar of the Joseon Dynasty. He was a figure of the Neo-Confucian literati, established the Yeongnam School and set up the Dosan S ...

(Toegye, 1501-1570) and

Yi I Yi Yi (; December 26, 1536 – February 27, 1584) was a Korean philosopher, writer, and Confucian scholar of the Joseon Dynasty. Yi I is often referred to by his pen name Yulgok ("Chestnut valley"). He was also a politicianTaekwondo ''Taekwondo'', ''Tae Kwon Do'' or ''Taekwon-Do'' (; ko, 태권도/跆拳道 ) is a Korean form of martial arts involving punching and kicking techniques, with emphasis on head-height kicks, spinning jump kicks, and fast kicking techniques. ...

is named after Poeun. The pattern is performed as part of the testing syllabus for the level of 2nd-degree black belt. The diagram ( - ) represents Jeong Mong-ju's unerring loyalty to his king and his country towards the end of the

Dynasty.

Family

* Great-Grandfather ** Jeong In-su (정인수, 鄭仁壽) * Grandfather ** Jeong Yu (정유, 鄭裕) * Father ** Jeong Woon-gwan (정운관, 鄭云瓘) (? - 1355) * Mother ** Grand Princess Consort Byeon of the Yeongcheon Lee clan (변한국대부인 영천 이씨) * Siblings ** Younger brother - Jeong Gwa (정과, 鄭過) (? - 1392) ** Younger brother - Jeong Hu (정후, 鄭厚) ** Younger brother - Jeong Do (정도, 鄭蹈) * Wife and children ** Princess Gyeongsun of the Gyeongju Yi clan (경순택주 경주 이씨, 敬順宅主慶州李氏) (? - 12 December 1392) *** Son - Jeong Jong-seong (정종성, 鄭宗誠) (1374 - 1442) **** Grandson - Jeong Bo (정보, 鄭保) ***** Granddaughter-in-law - Lady Park of the Juksan Park clan (정부인 죽산 박씨); daughter of Park Jung-yong (박중용) ****** Great-Granddaughter - Lady Jeong of the Yeonil Jeong clan (연일 정씨) ******* Great Grandson-in-law - Yi Seok-hyeong (이석형, 李石亨) of the

Yeonan Yi clan The Yeonan Yi clan () is one of the Korean clans. Their Bon-gwan is in Yonan County, Yeonan County, North Korea. According to the census held in 2015, the number of Yeonan Yi clan’s member was 164,036. Their founder was . It is did that around 6 ...

(1415 - 1477) ****** Great-Great-Grandson - Yi Hun (이혼, 李渾) (1445 - ?) ****** Great-Granddaughter - Lady Jeong of the Yeonil Jeong clan (연일 정씨) ******* Great Grandson-in-law - Yi Gye-son (이계손, 李繼孫) of the Yeoheung Yi clan (1423 - 1484) ****** Great-Granddaughter - Lady Jeong of the Yeonil Jeong clan (연일 정씨) ******* Great Grandson-in-law - Lee Ji (이지, 李墀) of the Goseong Lee clan (1420 - ?) ******** Great-Great-Grandson - Yi Ryuk (이륙, 李陸) (1438 - 1498) ******** Great-Great-Grandson - Yi Maek (이맥, 李陌) (1455 - 1528) ***** Granddaughter-in-law - Lady Park of the Miryang Park clan (밀양 박씨); daughter of Park Deung (박등, 朴登) ****** Great-Grandson - Jeong Yun-hwa (정윤화, 鄭允和) or Jeong Won-hwa (정원화, 鄭元和) (1453 - ?) ***** Granddaughter - Princess Consort Ohcheon of the Yeonil Jeong clan (오천군부인 연일 정씨); Prince Seonseong’s first wife ****** Grandson-in-law - Yi Mu-saeng, Prince Seonseong (선성군 이무생) (1392 - 1460) ******* Great-Granddaughter - Lady Yi of the

Jeonju Yi clan The Jeonju Yi clan () is a Korean clan with the surname Yi. Their Bon-gwan is in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province. The clan includes the former House of Yi which ruled the Joseon dynasty and the Korean Empire. Their founder was Yi Han (). His ...

(전주 이씨, 全州李氏) ******** Great Grandson-in-law - Jo Chung-ro (조충로, 趙忠老) of the Pyeongyang Jo clanEventually became the 5th great-grandfather of Queen Hyejang through his daughter **** Half-Granddaughter - Lady Jeong of the Yeonil Jeong clan (연일 정씨); became a concubine ***** Half grandson-in-law -

Han Myeong-hoe Han Myeong-hoe (Hangul: 한명회, Hanja: 韓明澮; 26 November 1415 – 28 November 1487) was a Korean politician and soldier during the Joseon period. He was the most trusted tactician of Grand Prince Suyang during the 1453 coup and the subs ...

(한명회, 韓明澮) (26 November 1415 - 28 November 1487) *** Son - Jeong Jong-bun (정종본, 鄭宗本) (1377 - 1443) * Unnamed concubine ** Son - Jeong Jong-hwa (정종화) *** Granddaughter - Lady Jeong of the Yeonil Jeong clan (정경부인 정씨, 貞敬夫人鄭氏); became a concubine **** Grandson-in-law -

(한명회, 韓明澮) (26 November 1415 - 28 November 1487) ***** Great-Grandson - Han Bok (한복, 韓福) ****** Great Granddaughter-in-law - Lady Jin of the Heungdeok Jin clan (흥덕 장씨) ***** Great-Grandson - Han Im (한임, 韓林) ****** Great Granddaughter-in-law - Lady Yi of the Jeonju Yi clan (전주 이씨); daughter of Yi Han-gi (이한기, 李漢奇) ******* Great-Grandson - Han Su (한수, 韓壽) ******** Great Granddaughter-in-law - Lady Kwon of the Andong Kwon clan (안동 권씨)

The poems

Yi Bang-won's ''sijo'' (poem) - ''Hayeoga'' (하여가, 何如歌)

이런들 어떠하리 저런들 어떠하리此亦何如彼亦何如。(차역하여피역하여) 만수산 드렁칡이 얽어진들 어떠하리城隍堂後垣頹落亦何如。(성황당후원퇴락역하여) 우리도 이같이 얽어져 백년까지 누리리라我輩若此爲不死亦何如。(아배약차위불사역하여) (Based on the

) ''What shall it be: this or that?'' ''The walls behind the temple of the city's deity* has fallen - shall it be this?'' ''Or if we survive together nonetheless - shall it be that?'' (* Yi Bang-won is declaring ''the death'' of the era - the

Dynasty.)

Jeong Mong-ju's ''sijo'' (poem) - ''Dansimga'' (단심가, 丹心歌)

이몸이 죽고 죽어 일백 번 고쳐 죽어此身死了死了一百番更死了。(차신사료사료일백번갱사료) 백골이 진토되어 넋이라도 있고 없고白骨爲塵土魂魄有也無。(백골위진토혼백유무야) 임 향한 일편 단심이야 가실 줄이 있으랴向主一片丹心寧有改理也歟。(향주일편단심유개리여) ''Though I die and die again a hundred times,'' ''That my bones turn to dust, whether my soul remains or not,'' ''Ever loyal to my Lord, how can this red heart ever fade away?''

Books

*Poeun Jip (포은집, 圃隱集) *Poeun Sigo (포은시고, 圃隱詩藁)

In popular culture

* Portrayed by Hong Gye-il in the 1983 MBC TV series ''

The King of Chudong Palace ''The King of Chudong Palace'' () is a 1983 South Korean historical television series, the first installment of the drama series ''500 Years of Joseon Dynasty'' by director Lee Byung-hoon and writer Shin Bong-seung. It aired on MBC from March ...

''. * Portrayed by Park Joon-hyuk in the 2012-2013 SBS TV series ''

The Great Seer ''The Great Seer'' (, also known as ''The Great Geomancer'') is a 2012 South Korean historical television series, starring Ji Sung, Ji Jin-hee, Song Chang-eui, Kim So-yeon and Lee Yoon-ji. Set during the turbulent decline of Goryeo, it is a ...

''. * Portrayed by Im Ho in the 2014

KBS1 The Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) () is the national broadcaster of South Korea. Founded in February 1927, it is one of the leading South Korean television and radio broadcasters. KBS operates seven radio networks, ten television channels, ...

TV series ''

Jeong Do-jeon Jeong Dojeon (Korean: 정도전, Hanja: 鄭道傳, 1342 – October 6, 1398), also known by his pen name Sambong (Korean: 삼봉), was a prominent Korean scholar-official during the late Goryeo to the early Joseon periods. He served as the first C ...

''. * Portrayed by Kim Eui-sung in the 2015 SBS TV series ''

Six Flying Dragons ''Six Flying Dragons'' () is a South Korean television series starring Yoo Ah-in, Kim Myung-min, Shin Se-kyung, Byun Yo-han, Yoon Kyun-sang and Chun Ho-jin. It aired on SBS on Mondays and Tuesdays at 22:00 for 50 episodes beginning on Octo ...

''. * Portrayed by

Choi Jong-hwan Choi Jong-hwan (; born September 24, 1964) is a South Korean actor. Choi won Producer's Award for his role in ''Gyebaek'' and '' The Duo'' at the MBC Drama Awards The MBC Drama Awards () is an awards ceremony presented by Munhwa Broadcasti ...

in the 2021

TV series '' Taejong Yi Bang-won''.

Notes

References

*Kang, Jae-eun; Lee, Suzanne (translator). (2006). ''The Land of Scholars: Two Thousand Years of Korean Confucianism.'' Paramus, New Jersey: Homa & Sekey Books.
OCLC 60931394
* Titsingh, Isaac. (1834).
''Annales des empereurs du Japon''
(''

Nihon Ōdai Ichiran , ', is a 17th-century chronicle of the serial reigns of Japanese emperors with brief notes about some of the noteworthy events or other happenings. According to the 1871 edition of the '' American Cyclopaedia'', the 1834 French translation of ...

''). Paris:

Oriental Translation Fund of Great Britain and Ireland The Royal Asiatic Society of Great Britain and Ireland, commonly known as the Royal Asiatic Society (RAS), was established, according to its royal charter of 11 August 1824, to further "the investigation of subjects connected with and for the en ...

OCLC 84067437
{{DEFAULTSORT:Jeong, Mong-ju Korean diplomats Korean Confucianists People murdered in Korea Korean revolutionaries Korean educators Neo-Confucian scholars 1338 births 1392 deaths 14th-century Korean poets Korean male poets 14th-century Korean calligraphers 14th-century Korean philosophers People from Yeongcheon