Jo Gwang-jo

Jo Gwang -jo (* 1482, † 1519) was a Korean politician and neokonfuzianischer philosopher, who carried out radical reforms in the early 16th century under the reign of King Jung Jong from the Joseon Dynasty. His name component Gwang -jo means " shining forefather ".

Life and aftermath

Gwang - Jo lived in the center of Seoul in the historic district of Insa -dong. He is considered the protagonist of the so-called Seonbi School .. Here the Korean politicians and administrative elite of that time were trained, whose graduates enjoyed a high reputation for their integrity and incorruptibility. Gwang - Jo's efforts to root out corruption among the ruling elites were ill received by them. They slandered him by King Jung Jong by subordinate him to strive for the kingship. The king, who felt betrayed by Jo Gwang -jo, ordered in 1519 to his death by drinking the poison cup. Gwang -jo hoped to the last that the king would see his mistake. Before his death he wrote a poem in which he affirmed his love for his king. (English translator's )

In the subsequent " cleansing" there were mass executions of Koreans, which connect to Gwang - Jo was said. The survivors fled to the countryside. The scattered over the land preserved huts, gazebos and garden houses from this period are among the tourist attractions in Korea. In these places the teachings Gwang -yos were passed on to students.

By later generations, he was considered a martyr and Konfuzischer incarnation " Seonbi - school" of ideas. Some historians hold him therefore one of the most influential people of the 16th century in Korea.

Reception

A series with 52 episodes of the life of Jo Gwang -jo was broadcast in 1996 by the Korean television.