Friday was the 170th anniversary of the death of Jeong Yak Yong, and to mark the occasion scholars at places like the Dasan Research Center and the Gyeonggi Culture Foundation declared the start of a "Silhak movement" for the 21st century. It was just recently that civic groups such as the Hope Institute declared they are starting a "Silhak movement for finding new hope," so Jeong is coming back as a source of hope for the 21st century.
Jeong lived during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, a time Joseon Korea's ruling class was engrossed in selfish factionalism. As a result the government was in disarray, and the masses suffered from burdensome taxes and corruption. The ruling class was lost in academic discussion, divisive partisanship, and the short-term perks that came with old conventions, but Jeong preached about study of the truth, learning that had practical application in managing real affairs, and the pursuit of the new based on appreciation for the old. He believed that nothing should be spared in helping the common people live plentifully.
Two hundred years later, what has changed about those in power? The results of an audit of regional autonomous governments by the Board of Audit and Inspection (BAI) are symbolic. Based on what it found, in February it filed charges against 26 civil servants for dereliction of duty and formally demanded punishment for 249, and it issued official warnings for 392 officials, including 18 top elected local officials, for wrongful personnel management. It found a total of 787 cases of abuse.
Jeong proposed that preventing abuses by local officials and allowing the people to live free from anxiety would require higher officials have moral influence, honor, and wisdom. He believed they had to live with a faith in integrity, moderation, and frugality, because only by living economically and frugally can policy decision makers be free from temptation.
The fourth round of popular local elections are just around the corner. We hope to see both voters and candidates return to Jeong's teachings. Voters need to have strict standards in choosing candidates, and candidates need to have honest attitudes and beliefs.
The Hankyoreh, 8 April 2006.
[Translations by Seoul Selection]
[Editorial] Let's Return to the Teachings of Jeong Yak Yong |
