Yu Jagwang or Yu Chagwang (, 1439 – June 1512) was a
Korea
Korea ( ko, 한국, or , ) is a peninsular region in East Asia. Since 1945, it has been divided at or near the 38th parallel, with North Korea (Democratic People's Republic of Korea) comprising its northern half and South Korea (Republic o ...
n
Joseon Dynasty
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 re ...
politician, soldier and writer. Born as the son of a yangban father and a concubine, he was one of the few secondary sons who served in high government offices during the Joseon dynasty.
His
courtesy name
A courtesy name (), also known as a style name, is a name bestowed upon one at adulthood in addition to one's given name. This practice is a tradition in the East Asian cultural sphere, including China, Japan, Korea, and Vietnam.Ulrich Theobald ...
was Uhu (). His prime political rival was
Kim Jong-jik.
Life
In 1439, Yu Jagwang was born as the secondary son of Yu Gyu, of the Yeonggwang Yu clan, and his concubine, Lady Choe. Yu first served as a ''gapsa'' () or armoured soldier, who guarded Geonchunmun Gate. When
Yi Si-ae's Rebellion
Yi Si-ae's Rebellion was an armed rebellion in 1467 in Hamgil Province (later renamed Hamgyong Province) led by General Yi Si-ae, a member of Yangban landowners in Kilju, Hamgil Province, to rebel against the centralized policy of King Sejo.
...
broke out, he volunteered to serve the government forces in suppressing the rebels. He was quickly promoted to the position of byeongjo jeongnang () or a section chief in the Ministry of Defence by King
Sejo
Sejo of Joseon (2 November 1417 – 23 September 1468), personal name Yi Yu (Korean language, Korean: 이유; Hanja: 李瑈), sometimes known as Grand Prince Suyang (Korean language, Korean: 수양대군; Hanja: 首陽大君), was the sevent ...
.
In 1468, he took the mungwa exam and placed first.
When Sejo's son
Yejong ascended to the throne, Yu Jagwang accused Nam I of plotting treason and was rewarded as a first class merit subject. In 1498, Yu played a key role in the
First literati purge during the reign of
Yeonsangun
Yeonsangun of Joseon or Prince Yeonsan of Joseon (23 November 1476 – 20 November 1506), personal name Yi Yung (Korean language, Korean: 이융; Hanja: 李㦕), was the tenth ruler of the Joseon, Joseon dynasty of Korea. Often considered the ...
, accusing Kim Il-son of writing history drafts that were negative on King Sejo. Yu also went after Kim Il-son's deceased teacher, Kim Jong-jik, for his composition of ' which he interpreted as treason. Kim Jong-jik was posthumously charged with high treason and his corpse was beheaded. Other members belonging to the
sarim
The Sarim (sometimes Saarim), or "forest of scholars", was a powerful faction of literati that dominated Middle and Late Joseon politics in Korea.
History of Sarim faction
Early beginning
The philosophical lineage of the Sarim scholars origina ...
faction were also purged. According to later historians who wrote the
Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty
The ''Veritable Records of the Joseon Dynasty'' (also known as the ''Annals of the Joseon Dynasty'' or the ''True Record of the Joseon Dynasty''; ko, 조선왕조실록 and ) are the annual records of Joseon, the last royal house to rule ...
, Yu's hatred of Kim Jong-jik was due to an incident where Kim, when he served as the county magistrate of
Hamyang
Hamyang County (''Hamyang-gun'') is a county in South Gyeongsang Province, South Korea.
It is home to the Wooden Seated Statue of Buddha in Beopinsa (법인사), the Standing Statue of Buddha in Deokjeonri (덕전리), the Three-Level Stone Pagod ...
, he destroyed Yu's poem that he had put up in that county. In 1506, he once again became a merit subject when
Jungjong
Jungjong of Joseon (16 April 1488 – 29 November 1544), personal name Yi Yeok (Korean: 이역; Hanja: 李懌), firstly titled Grand Prince Jinseong (Korean: 진성대군; Hanja: 晉城大君), was the 11th ruler of the Joseon dynasty of Korea. ...
obtained the throne, becoming the only secondary son in the history of Joseon to become a merit subject twice.
However, in 1507, Yu Ja-gwang was accused by the Censorate of "personal motivation" and was exiled. He was still in exile when he died on June 15, 1512.
Popular culture
* Portrayed by Song Young-chang in the 2015 South Korean film ''
The Treacherous
''The Treacherous'' (; lit. "Treacherous Subject" or "Treacherous Retainer") is a 2015 South Korean period drama film directed by Min Kyu-dong.
Plot
The story of Joseon's tyrant king Yeonsan who exploits the populace for his own carnal pleasures, ...
''
* Portrayed by Ryu Tae-ho in the 2017
MBC TV series ''
The Rebel''.
* Portrayed by Yoo Seung-bong in the 2017
KBS2
The Korean Broadcasting System (KBS) () is the national broadcaster of South Korea. Founded in February 1927, it is one of the leading South Korean television and radio broadcasters.
KBS operates seven radio networks, ten television channels, a ...
TV series ''
Queen for Seven Days
''Queen for Seven Days'' () is a South Korean television series starring Park Min-young as the titular Queen Dangyeong, with Yeon Woo-jin and Lee Dong-gun. It aired on KBS2 every Wednesday and Thursday at 22:00 ( KST) from May 31, 2017 to August ...
''.
See also
*
Korean literati purges
The term "Literati purges" is a translation of the Korean term 'sahwa' ( ko, 사화 士禍), whose literal meaning is "scholars' calamity". It refers to a series of political purges in the late 15th and 16th centuries, in which Sarim scholars suf ...
References
External links
Yu Jagwang:Nate
Yu Jagwang:Naver
Yu Jagwang
1439 births
1512 deaths
15th-century Korean writers
People from South Jeolla Province
Joseon writers
Joseon politicians
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