Jeong Yak-Young (1762 - 1836)

A snap in front of Jeong Yak-Young statue

Jeon Yak-Young was a leading Korean religious philoshopher in Joseon Dynast. He was a leading think tank in Silhak (means practical studies), a Confucian social reform movement in late Joseon dynasty. This movement argued for reforming the rigid Confucian social structure, land reforms to relieve the plight of peasant farmers, redefining the traditionally submissive relationship with China, promoting Korea's independent national identity and culture, encouraging the study of science, and advocating technology exchange with foreign countries.

A snap of Jeong Yak-Young's house "Yoyudang"

He served government in many capacities including supervising construction of Hwaseong Fortress in Suwon (early 1790s), secret royal inspector of Gyeonggi province (1794). Notably, he was among the early converter to Catholic Christian, and during Joseon dynasty state had Confucian as a religion therefore he was banished from 1801 for 18 years. During his exile period he utilized his time for intellectual development, He himself mentioned that during banished “I set my mind on learning in my youth, but for twenty years I became enmeshed in secular affairs and was not able to discover the great Way with which the sage-kings of old governed the empire. Now I have the leisure to do so.”

Althogh he was pardoned in 1819 by king Sunjo, his life remained precerious and that is why he called his house 'Yoyudang' (to live cautiously). Yoyudang is also name of his collection.

He developed a windlass, a special kind of crane to build a high stone wall of Suwon in 1792, which was registered as World Cultural Heritage by UNESCO in 1997. Korea also released a stamp for the crane as shown below.


He was born and died in Namyangju, Gyeonggi province, South Korea. Even now his house has been preserved to spread his thought and idea. His house is converted in museum showing his contribution. He was buried in back of his house.