Understanding Korea materials - Hangeul: Appendix/King Sejong and Jiphyeonjeon(The Academy of Worthies)

King Sejong and Jiphyeonjeon (The Academy of Worthies)

Jiphyeonjeon must be mentioned whenever one discusses the creation of Hunminjeongeum by King Sejong. Jiphyeonjeon was a scholarly research institute established inside the palace in the Early Joseon period, in 1420 (the second year of Sejong’s reign). Since the purpose of this institute was to cultivate scholars and to promote scholarly endeavors, numerous outstanding scholars of the day became its members and produced many academic achievements. The scholars engaged in innumerable academic discussions in diverse areas with King Sejong; therefore, some consider that they made key contributions to the invention of Hunminjeongeum. Indeed, the preface of Hunminjeongeum haerye, written by Jeong Inji, recorded that the Jiphyeonjeon scholars such as Jeong Inji, Choe Hang, Bak Paengnyeon, Sin Sukju, Seong Sammun, Gang Huian, Yi Gae, and Yi Seonro wrote the explanations and examples on King Sejong’s command.

In the winter of the year of rooster, our king invented 28 letters of Jeongeum (proper sounds), showed a few simple examples and named them Hunminjeongeum. ... At last, (King Sejong) commanded me to add more detailed explanations and to teach the people. According to the command, I [Jeong Inji] ... along with Choe Hang, ... Bak Paengnyeon, ... Sin Sukju, ... Seong Sammun, ... Gang Huian, ... Yi Gae,... and Yi Seonro have humbly crafted numerous examples and explanations to write an abridgement.