Friendly Korea _People

Korea!

ng
ga
an
m
Du

Great People of
1. Dae Jo-Young

? 719,
reign: 698 719

Naseon

HAMGYEONGBUK-DO

()

Cheongjin

2. King Gwanggaeto the Great

374 413
Hyesan

YANGGANG-DO

()

ng
ga
ok
n
Am

Ganggye

JAGANG-DO

()

HAMGYEONGNAM-DO
()

4. Seo Hui

3. Lee Je-Ma

942 998

1838 1900

Sinuiju

PYEONGANBUK-DO

()

Hamheung

PYEONGANNAM-DO

()

5. Dangun

Pyeongseong

Wonsan

Pyeongyang

GANGWON-DO

Nampo

6. Jeong Seon

()

7. Kim Jeong-Ho

Sariwon

HWANGHAENAM-DO

1676 1759

? 1866

East Sea

HWANGHAEBUK-DO

()

()

8. Heo Gyun &

Heo Nanseolheon

GANGWON-DO

1569 1618 &

1563 1589

()

Haeju

Gaeseong

GYEONGGI-DO

Chuncheon

()

10. King Sejong

the Great

9. Heo Jun

1539-1615

Incheon

1397 1450

13. Isabu

Seoul

Ulleungdo

14. Im Yunjidang

1721 1793

Suwon

Dokdo

11. Kim Hong-Do

1745 - ?
CHUNGCHEONGBUK-DO

16. Yi Hwang

()

1501 1570

CHUNGCHEONGNAM-DO

Cheongju

()

15. Jang Young-Sil

12. Ahn Yong-Bok

Daejeon

GYEONGSANGBUK-DO

()

18. Choi Mu-Seon

1325 1395

17. Park Yeon

1378 1458

Jeonju

19. Jeon Bong-Jun

JEOLLABUK-DO

1855 1895

()

Daegu

21. Mun Ik-Jeom

1329 1398

Gwangju

GYEONGSANGNAM-DO
JEOLLANAM-DO ()

()

Ulsan

Changwon

Busan

22. Jeong Yak-Yong

1762 1836

23. Yi Sun-Sin

1545 1598

24. Jang Bo-Go

? 846

Jeju

JEJU-DO

()
Legend

Capital of do
Metropolitan City or Directly Governed City
National Capital
Capital of do & Metropolitan City
Ieodo

25. Kim Man-Deok

1739 1812

20. Wonhyo

617 686

1. Dae Jo-Young ? 719, reign: 698 719

Dae Jo-Young was the founder of the Balhae kingdom.

After the fall of Goguryeo kingdom, he gathered the
refugees and some Malgal tribes and established Balhae.
Upon its founding in 698, he proclaimed that it was the successor of Goguryeo, both domestically and internationally,
and began to regain control over former Goguryeo territories. His posthumous epithet King Go indicates that he succeeded the Goguryo kingdom and became the founder of
a new kingdom.

2. King Gwanggaeto the Great 374 413

King Gwanggaeto was Goguryeo kingdoms nineteenth

king, who achieved political supremacy in 5th century Northeast Asia. He used the name of his own reign for the first
time in Korean history, and established a great empire that
occupied the present-day Liaodong peninsula and a part of
Inner Mongolia. A tombstone was built in honor of his distinguished achievements, and it still remains in Jian, China.

3. Lee Je-Ma 1838 1900

Lee Je-Ma was a physician who created a unique Korean

medical theory called Sasang Uihak. This theory is based
on Eastern philosophy, and its basic principle is that treatments
should vary, depending on patients particular constitutions.
He spent his entire life studying medicine, and established his
own medical theory based on extensive clinical data.

4. Seo Hui 942 998

Seo Hui was a diplomat of the Goryeo dynasty. He is best
known for his role in a negotiation in 993 where he persuaded the invading Khitan army to retreat by arguing for
the legitimacy of Goryeo as the successor of the Goguryeo
kingdom. Through the negotiation, he also regained control
over the Pyeonganbukdo area. For this reason, his actions
are regarded as the most successful example of diplomacy
in Korean history.
5. Dangun

Dangun was the founder of the first Korean kingdom of Gojoseon in 2333 BC. Koreas first history book about its ancient kingdoms, Samguk Yusa, contains a story about his
founding of the nation and his basic principle of Hongik
Ingan. The principle means to promote the benefit of humanity, and it forms the basis of the strong Korean national
identity that has functioned to unite Koreans on occasions
of national crisis.

6. Jeong Seon 1676 1759

Jeong Seon was a painter who developed a unique Korean style of landscape painting during the late Joseon dynasty. He portrayed Joseons scenery with his own
creative touches, breaking off from the strong influence of
China. His major painting Geumgang Jeondo provided
great inspiration for other painters in their drawings of Mt.
Geumgangsan.

7. Kim Jeong-Ho ? 1866

Kim Jeong-Ho was a geographer who made many maps

during the late Joseon dynasty. Daedongyeojido in particular is a masterpiece that he created by integrating Eastern
cartographic traditions. The map is very accurate and pre-

cise, even compared to contemporary maps. He also compiled geographic books that showed changes in administration, transportation and historical geography, and
contributed to a better understanding of maps.

8. Heo Gyun 1569 1618

Heo Nanseolheon 1563 1589

Heo Gyun and Heo Nanseolheon were famous sibling writers during the Joseon dynasty. Heo Gyun authored the first
Korean language novel, The Tale of Hong Gildong. His
sister Nanseolheon wrote many poems that were highly
commended by writers in Korea, China and Japan. Her accomplishments as a poet are particularly noteworthy, considering the social status of women during her time.

9. Heo Jun 1539-1615

Heo Jun was a royal physician who wrote Donguibogam,

one of the best medical books of the East. Dongui refers
to Korean medicine. To compile this book, he spent 14
years reading over 240 medical books. The value of the
book is internationally recognized, and it has been translated into many different languages, including Chinese,
Japanese, German and English.

10. King Sejong the Great 1397 1450

King Sejong was the fourth king of Joseon dynasty, who is
best known for the invention of the Korean alphabet
Hangeul. Hangeul is the only alphabet in the world in which
the inventor, principles of invention and dates of promulgation are known. During his reign, he made many impressive accomplishments in all areas, including politics,
economics, culture and defense. The basis of his rule was
always his love and sympathy for ordinary people.
11. Kim Hong-Do 1745 - ?

Kim Hong-Do was a famous court painter during the

Joseon dynasty. He exhibited exceptional artistic talent
since his childhood. His drawings were quite varied, ranging from people, scenery, gods and Buddhist subjects. He
created many different kinds of artistic work, including
kings portraits and folk paintings. His genre paintings in
particular are well known for their realistic depiction of ordinary peoples lives, and are still loved by Koreans.

12. Ahn Young-Bok

Ahn Yong-Bok was a patriotic fisherman, who played a

crucial role in protecting Ulleungdo and Dokdo. During the
reign of King Sukjong (1661-1720) of the Joseon dynasty,
Ahn witnessed Japanese fishermen trespassing on
Joseon's territory and travelled to Japan to confront the
Japanese government. His actions played an important
role as Japan officially banned fishing activities in those
areas in 1696 and recognized Ulleungdo and Dokdo as a
territory of Joseon. Dokdo, with its beautiful scenery, remains Korea's easternmost territory.

13. Isabu

Isabu was a renowned general of Silla kingdom, who is

widely known for his conquest and annexation of Usanguk for Silla in 512. Usan-guk was a small kingdom that
occupied the present-day Ulleungdo and Dokdo. He also
advised the king to compile history books, and made a

major contribution to Sillas territorial expansion by winning

battles against Goguryeo kingdom and Gaya kingdom.

14. Im Yunjidang 1721 1793

Im Yunjidang was a female scholar, who achieved a high
level of knowledge in Neo-Confucianism during the Joseon
dynasty. Joseon put limitations on womens rights to gain
formal education and to work outside the home. For this
reason, she was unable to exhibit her academic talent in
Joseon society, but she still pursued her scholarly interests
until her death.

20. Wonhyo 617 686

Wonhyo was a respected Buddhist monk of Silla kingdom,
who made a great contribution to the development of Korean Buddhism. Buddhism is a religion that has long influenced the life and thoughts of Koreans. He created
extensive written work about Buddhism, and committed
his life to disseminating the religion among the people. His
teachings were even introduced to China, and marked an
epoch in the worlds history of Buddhism.
21. Mun Ik-Jeom 1329 1398

Jang Young-Sil was a scientist who invented the worlds

first rain gauge Cheugugi in 1441. He led a renaissance
in Korean science by creating many notable inventions,
such as the Jagyeongnu automatic water clock and the
Honcheonui astronomical clock. His scientific achievements are so highly regarded that Korean scientists named
an asteroid after him.

Mun Ik-Jeom is recognized as a person who improved

peoples lives because he brought great benefits to
people by cultivating and distributing cotton. The introduction of cotton cloth made fabric production simpler
and more efficient. The previous methods of fabric production were time-consuming and labor-intensive. Due
to its high production efficiency, cotton cloth became
Koreas major export, and contributed to the national
economy.

16. Yi Hwang 1501 1570

22. Jeong Yak-Yong 1762 1836

15. Jang Young-Sil

Yi Hwang was an eminent scholar, also known by his penname Toegye, who laid the foundation for the development
of Neo-Confucianism in Joseon dynasty. He committed his
entire life to developing knowledge and educating students. Consequently, he was highly respected as a sage.
His philosophy had a significant influence on scholars both
inside and outside of Korea, including China and Japan.
Since the establishment of the International Toegyehak Society in 1976, his work has been widely researched in many
countries across the world.

17. Park Yeon 1378 1458

Park Yeon is regarded as one of the three greatest musicians in Koreas 5000 years of history, along with Goguryeo
kingdoms Wang Sanak and Silla kingdoms Ureuk. Under
the order of King Sejong the Great, he organized court
music, tuned musical instruments, and compiled music for
royal events. To commemorate his legacy, a music festival
is held every year in his hometown Yeongdong-gun.

18. Choi Mu-Seon 1325 1395

Choi Mu-Seon was an inventor best known for the production of Koreas first gunpowder and cannons. During the
Goryeo dynasty, he had already recognized the importance
of gunpowder weapons, and suggested the establishment
of a state institution committed to producing them. His inventions played a crucial role in defeating Japanese raiders.
His gunpowder production techniques were passed on to
his son, and later contributed to the strengthening of the
Joseon dynastys defenses.

19. Jeon Bong-Jun 1855 1895

Jeon Bong-Jun was a leader of the Donghak Peasant

Movement, which was a large-scale resistance movement
against traditional feudalism and foreign invasions. Donghak was an indigenous Korean religion, which was founded
in 1860 and later became the Cheondogyo religion. His first
uprising was in 1894 against corrupt local bureaucrats. He
also led a nationwide protest against Japanese invasions
until his eventual arrest and execution.

Great People of

Korea!

Jeong Yak-Yong, also known by his pen-name Dasan, was

a prominent Confucian scholar and official during the late
Joseon dynasty. He is highly recognized for his contribution
to compiling Silhak literature, which emphasized practical
learning and social reform. He spent many years living in
exile, but he used the time to organize and develop his philosophy. He wrote over 500 books in broad areas, including
politics, economics and society. His line of work is called
Dasanhak, and it has received considerable attention from
many scholars.

23. Yi Sun-Sin 1545 1598

Yi Sun-Sin was an admiral and Korean national hero, who

protected the country against Japanese invaders during
the national crisis of the Imjin War. Throughout his career,
he had to overcome extreme adversities in battles and personal challenges, such as vicious slanders against him and
subsequent political ordeals. His life provides an endless
source for Korean novels, dramas and movies, and he has
become immortal in the minds of Koreans.

24. Jang Bo-Go ? 846

Jang Bo-Go was a general of Silla kingdom, who established the Cheonghaejin naval base in todays Wondo Island. Using Cheonghaejin, he was able to defeat pirates,
gain control of the ocean, and secure safe trade routes that
connected Silla with China and Japan. His reputation as an
international trader was recorded in several historical documents in Korea, China and Japan.
25. Kim Man-Deok 1739 1812
Kim Man-Deok was a successful and altruistic businesswoman in Jejudo Island, who saved numerous peoples
lives during the Joseon dynasty. As a woman and a slave,
she had to overcome many disadvantages before finally
becoming a great merchant. However, she decided to
spend her entire fortune to save people from a famine
caused by an extreme drought in 1795. Her generosity
greatly impressed the people of the period and still impresses the people of today.

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Great People of

Korea!