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Bureau Of Interpreters
The Bureau of Interpreters or Sayŏgwŏn was an agency of the Joseon government of Korea from 1393 to 1894 responsible for training and supplying official interpreters. Textbooks for foreign languages produced by the bureau aimed to accurately describe contemporary speech and are thus valuable sources on the history of Korean and the various foreign languages. History In a country surrounded by linguistically distinct neighbours, Korean diplomacy has always relied on interpreters. They were a vital part of the national foreign policies of ''sadae'' 'serving the great' (i.e. China) and ''gyorin'' 'neighbourly relations'. King Chungnyeol of Goryeo, Chungnyeol of Goryeo established the T'ongmun'gwan (通文館 'Office of Interpretation') in 1276 to train interpreters in Chinese and (possibly) Mongolian. In 1393, the second year of the Joseon dynasty, the Bureau of Interpreters was established as part of the Ministry of Rites. Regulations stipulated that its director would be an J ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Joseon
Joseon (; ; Middle Korean: 됴ᇢ〯션〮 Dyǒw syéon or 됴ᇢ〯션〯 Dyǒw syěon), officially the Great Joseon (; ), was the last dynastic kingdom of Korea, lasting just over 500 years. It was founded by Yi Seong-gye in July 1392 and replaced by the Korean Empire in October 1897. The kingdom was founded following the aftermath of the overthrow of Goryeo in what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul. The kingdom's northernmost borders were expanded to the natural boundaries at the rivers of Amrok and Tuman through the subjugation of the Jurchens. During its 500-year duration, Joseon encouraged the entrenchment of Confucian ideals and doctrines in Korean society. Neo-Confucianism was installed as the new state's ideology. Buddhism was accordingly discouraged, and occasionally the practitioners faced persecutions. Joseon consolidated its effective rule over the territory of current Korea and saw the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pyongyang
Pyongyang (, , ) is the capital and largest city of North Korea, where it is known as the "Capital of the Revolution". Pyongyang is located on the Taedong River about upstream from its mouth on the Yellow Sea. According to the 2008 population census, it has a population of 3,255,288. Pyongyang is a directly administered city () with equal status to North Korean provinces. Pyongyang is one of the oldest cities in Korea. It was the capital of two ancient Korean kingdoms, Gojoseon and Goguryeo, and served as the secondary capital of Goryeo. Much of the city was destroyed during the First Sino-Japanese War, but it was revived Korea under Japanese rule, under Japanese rule and became an industrial center. Following the establishment of North Korea in 1948, Pyongyang became its ''de facto'' capital. The city was again devastated during the Korean War, but was quickly rebuilt after the war with Soviet Union, Soviet assistance. Pyongyang is the political, industrial and transport ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Chungin
The ''jungin'' or ''chungin'' () were the upper middle class of the Joseon Dynasty in medieval and early modern Korean society. The name "jungin" directly means "middle people". This privileged class of commoners consisted of a small group of petty bureaucrats and other highly educated skilled workers whose technical and administrative skills enabled the ''yangban'' and the royal family to rule the lower classes. ''Jungin'' were the lifeblood of the Korean Confucian agrarian bureaucracy, for whom the upper classes depended on to maintain their vice-like hold on the people. Their traditions and habits are the forerunners of the modern Korean administrative systems in both North and South Korea. Professions and roles in the society In dynastic Korea, particularly during the Joseon period, the ''jungin'' were lower than the ''yangban'' aristocracy but above the lower middle and working class commoners in social status. They included highly educated government-employed specialis ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Yangban
The ''yangban'' () were part of the traditional ruling class or gentry of dynastic Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. The ''yangban'' were mainly composed of highly educated civil servants and military officers—landed or unlanded aristocrats who individually exemplified the Korean Confucian form of a " scholarly official". They were largely government administrators and bureaucrats who oversaw medieval and early modern Korea's traditional agrarian bureaucracy until the end of the dynasty in 1897. In a broader sense, an office holder's family and descendants, as well as country families who claimed such descent, were socially accepted as ''yangban''. Overview Unlike noble titles in the European and Japanese aristocracies, which were conferred on a hereditary basis, the bureaucratic position of ''yangban'' was granted by law to ''yangban'' who meritoriously passed state-sponsored civil service exams called ''gwageo'' (). This exam was modeled on the imperial examinations first s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gyeongguk Daejeon
''Gyeongguk daejeon'' (translated as the State Code or the National Code) is a complete code of law that comprises all the laws, customs and decrees released since the late Goryeo Dynasty to the early Joseon Dynasty. Sorted according to the relevant Ministries ( Yukyo), it had been a basis for over 500 years of Joseon Dynasty politics. The previous code of law was the ''Gyeongje yukjeon'' (經濟六典, Six Codes of Governance) and its revised edition, ''Sokyukjeon'' (續六典, Amended Six Codes of Governance) which were issued during the reign of the state founder, King Taejo. The new compilation started in 1460 (Sejo 6) by the part relative to Taxation. In 1467 (Sejo 13), the compilation of the entire book was finished and named Gyeongguk Daejeon, but repeated revisions and supplements have delayed the final publication. When Seongjong was crowned, a first revision began to be implemented in 1471 and is named Sinmyo Daejeon (辛卯大典). Then it was renovated in 1474 and ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Gwageo
The ''gwageo'' or ''kwago'' were the national civil service examinations under the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties of Korea. Typically quite demanding, these tests measured candidates' ability of writing composition and knowledge of the Chinese classics. The form of writing varied from literature to proposals on management of the state. Technical subjects were also tested to appoint experts on medicine, interpretation, accounting, law etc. These were the primary route for most people to achieve positions in the bureaucracy. Based on the civil service examinations of imperial China, the ''gwageo'' first arose in Unified Silla, gained importance in Goryeo, and were the centerpiece of most education in the Joseon dynasty. The tutelage provided at the hyanggyo, seowon, and Sungkyunkwan was aimed primarily at preparing students for the gwageo and their subsequent career in government service. Under Joseon law, high office was closed to those who were not children of officials of the s ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Manpo
Manpo () is a city of northwestern Chagang Province, North Korea. As of 2008, it had an estimated population of 116,760. It looks across the border to the city of Ji'an, Jilin province, China. History Manp'o was incorporated as a city in October 1967. Earlier, in October 1949, it had been combined into a single county consisting Manpo-myon, Kosan-myon, Oegwi-myon, Iso-myon and Sijung-myon, which were split from Kanggye-gun. Manpo had first been mentioned in 1424, in the Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty. During the Joseon Dynasty, fortresses and camps were built in this area, for which the city is now named after. Geography Along the shores of the Yalu River, which various tributaries flow into, and the Kŏnp'o River are the small Kosan Plain and the Kŏnha Plain. The majority of Manpo is located at a lower height than the rest of Jagang Province, though the northeast and east do have areas of higher elevation, which gradually slopes down to the much lower areas along the ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Wiwon
Wiwŏn County is a ''kun'', or county, in northern Chagang province, North Korea. It stands across the Yalu River from the People's Republic of China. It was originally part of North P'yŏngan province, but was annexed to Chagang in 1954. It borders Manp'o and Sijungto the north, Kanggye and Songgan to the east, Ch'onch'ŏn to the southeast, Kop'ung to the south and west, and Ch'osan to the west. The main line of the Kangnam Mountains passes along the southeast border. The highest point is Sunjŏksan (숭적산, 1984 m). High mountains also rise along the border with Kop'ung and Ch'osan. The climate is continental, with cold winters and an average annual temperature of 6 ℃. The chief local industries are logging and agriculture. There is little valley land, so rice is not grown; however, orchards are cultivated and livestock raised. In addition, dry-field crops include soybeans, maize, and potatoes. In September 2005, North Korea announced the completion of a second ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pyoktong
Pyŏktong County is a ''kun'', or county, in northern North P'yŏngan province, North Korea. It lies in the valley of the Yalu River, and borders China to the north. Within North Korea, it is bounded by Tongch'ang in the south, Ch'angsŏng in the west, and Usi county in Chagang province to the east. It was separated from Usi in 1952, as part of a nationwide reorganization of local government. Geography The terrain is steep and mountainous, with the Kangnam and Pinandŏk ranges both passing through the county. The highest point is Piraebong, at 1470 metres. There are various small streams, including the Tongch'ŏn (동천), Songgyech'ŏn (송계천), and Namch'ŏn (남천). These are used to transport cut lumber; and the Namch'ŏn is also used to generate hydroelectric power. Due to the rugged terrain, only seven percent of Pyoktong's area is cultivated, while 80% is forested. Administrative divisions Pyŏktong county is divided into 1 ''ŭp'' (town) and 19 '' ri'' (villages ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pukchong
Pukch'ŏng County is a county in eastern South Hamgyŏng province, North Korea. Geography It borders the Sea of Japan (East Sea of Korea) to the south. Away from the coast, it is entirely mountainous. The Hamgyong Mountains traverse the county. The highest point is Komdoksan. Chief streams include the Namdaechon and Pochonchon (보천천). It has a relatively mild climate for the province. Administrative divisions Pukch'ŏng county is divided into 1 ''ŭp'' (town), 2 '' rodongjagu'' (workers' districts) and 38 '' ri'' (villages): Economy Much of the economy in Pukchong County consists of agriculture, with fruit farming specifically making up a significant portion. Aside from farming, industry also makes up a portion of the county's economy, although details of specifically what industries exist in the county are scant. Briefly mentioned by the North Korean state-controlled newspaper ''The Pyongyang Times'', there is said to be a shoe factory in Pukchong County. Also acc ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
