Jeong Yeo-chang Burial Ground, Hamyang

Jeong Yeo-chang (1450–1504), pen name Ildu, together with Kim Goeng-pil (pen name Hanhwondang), inherited the scholarly tradition of Jeong Mong-ju (pen name Poeun) in the history of Joseon Neo-Confucianism, and made possible the emergence of later Neo-Confucian scholars such as Jo Gwang-jo (pen name Jeongam), Yi Eon-jeok (pen name Hoejae), Yi Hwang (pen name Toegye) and Jo Sik (pen name Nammyeong). His tomb is a place that bears witness to a grim episode of history: the posthumous mutilation of his corpse (bugwan chamsi, exhumation and decapitation of the body) carried out during the Gapja Literati Purge, which broke out shortly after his death in 1504. Within the burial ground stand the tomb of Jeong Yeo-chang and that of his wife, Lady Wansan Yi, who held the title Jeonggyeong buin. The sindobi (memorial stele erected before a tomb) standing in front of Jeong Yeo-chang's grave was composed by Jeong On (pen name Donggye, 1569–1641), whose name has long been honoured in history for attempting suicide when King Injo was about to surrender to Qing China at Namhansanseong Fortress during the Byeongja Horan, the second Manchu invasion of Joseon; Jeong On, too, came from a neighbouring county and privately revered Jeong Yeo-chang's teachings as his model. The stele's headpiece inscription reads "Stele Inscription of the Spirit Way of Master Jeong Ildu, Posthumous Right State Councillor, Lord Munheon," and the title inscribed on its crown reads "Stele Inscription and Preface of the Spirit Way of Master Jeong Ildu of Illustrious Joseon, Lord Munheon, posthumously granted the rank of Daegwang Boguk Sungnok Daebu, Right State Councillor of the State Council and concurrently Overseer of the Office of Royal Lectures and the Chunchugwan." Both the headpiece and the full text of the stele were written by Yi Jeong-yeong (pen name Seogok, 1616–1686), who rose through the post of Minister of Personnel to become Pandonnyeongbusa, head of the Dollyeongbu, the office for royal in-laws. The stele was erected in the third month of the gi-sa year of the Chongzhen era, 1689, and the inscription records that the characters were carved by Jeong Won-bu and the monk Sam-yeol. As one of the Five Worthies of Joseon Confucianism, Jeong Yeo-chang (Ildu) has been respected ever since the Joseon Dynasty, and his scholarly attitude of valuing practice over mere theory has long served as a model for later generations, giving his tomb value for the figure it commemorates. The tombs of Jeong Yeo-chang and his wife, Lady Wansan Yi, also clearly display the tomb style of scholar-officials of the early Joseon period, and the stone figures within the burial ground are works of fine quality, which further raises the site's value.

AI Translation

Where it is

Region

Hamyang, Gyeongnam

Designation

Provincial Monument · 시도기념물