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King Sejong the Great
The Everlasting Light of KoreaThe Everlasting Light of Korea
“Appreciation of the good must be long
lasting; hatred of the bad must not.”
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The Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910)
King Sejong was 4th Monarch and ruled from 1418-
1450
The Joseon had recently taken
over power from the Goryeo
Dynasty
When King Sejong came to power, much of the public unrest and political confusion had been
calmed. However, it would depend on King Sejong to establish the true identity of this new dynasty.
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Justice and righteousness should characterize the
relations between sovereign and subject.
Neo-Confucian Government
A good ruler has broad-ranging knowledge and
virtue.
Used civil service exam to find men of talent for government service.
Established the Chiphyonjon, a royal
institute of research for scholars.
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Neo-Confucian Government
Promoted cultural, economic, and political heritage of Korea.
Sponsored many new developments in the areas of
law, science, philosophy, music, and linguistics.
Created water clocks, rain gauge, celestial globe,
sundials, and improved printing methods.
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“What kind of man is Buddha who makes a son that should carry on the family line betray his father and sever the
affection between father and son; who makes men resist the Son of Heaven and destroy the righteousness between lord and minister; who says that for men and women to live together is
not the Way; who says that for men to plow and women to weave is not righteous, thus severing the way of generating life
and blocking off the source of food and clothing; and who thinks that through his way he can transform all under
heaven?...”
Neo-Confucian Government
1. What is wrong with Buddhism for Pak? Why are Buddhist practices so dangerous for China?
1. What is wrong with Buddhism for Pak? Why are Buddhist practices so dangerous for China?
Anti Buddhist Memorial 1392 by Pak Ch’o, Confucian ScholarAnti Buddhist Memorial 1392 by Pak Ch’o, Confucian Scholar
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Joseon Social Structure
King Sejong began a new policy of breaking class barriers and accepted people based on merit
Jang Yeong-silJang Yeong-sil
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A Golden Age!
Used military to defeat Japanese Pirates and expand
territory in north.
Reformed civil and criminal law codes
and made them known to the public.
Surveyed the public and
reformed land tax to stop corruption.
Patron to the arts, literature and
music. Led innovations in
printing, medicine, astronomy, and
agriculture.
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2. King Sejong seems like a great ruler. Why do you
think he is usually portrayed with a book in
his hand?
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Creation of a New Alphabet: Hangul
In 1446, King Sejong created an alphabet for the Korean language.
Hangul is a script of 24 letters, 10 of which are
vowels and 14 consonants.
Some scholars and officials strongly opposed the new writing system. They thought literacy of
the masses was unnecessary and
dangerous.
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3. According to King Sejong, why is a written language needed?3. According to King Sejong, why is a written language needed?
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“…Now, however, our country is devising a Korean script separately in order to discard the Chinese, and thus we are
willingly being reduced to the status of barbarians… If they do not know the writings of the sages, they will become ignorant and unable to distinguish right from wrong… This Korean
script is nothing more than a novelty. It is harmful to learning and useless to the government. No matter how one looks at it,
one cannot find any good in it…”
Creation of a New Alphabet: Hangul
4. Why did Ch’oe reject the new alphabet and why does he think it is such a threat to the future of Korea?
4. Why did Ch’oe reject the new alphabet and why does he think it is such a threat to the future of Korea?
Opposition to the Korean Alphabet by Ch’oe Malli, Court OfficialOpposition to the Korean Alphabet by Ch’oe Malli, Court Official
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5. What do you think are the greatest
accomplishments of King Sejong the Great?
5. What do you think are the greatest
accomplishments of King Sejong the Great?
Tomb of King Sejong
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Tomb of King Sejong
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