About Yun Jeung
Lived 1629 – 1714 (aged 84–85). Yun Jeung was a Korean philosopher, politician and writer.
Yun Jeung or Yun Chŭng (; 1629 – 30 January 1714) was a Confucian scholar in Korea during the late period of the Joseon dynasty. He was known as being a progressive thinker and for his opposition to the formalism and ritualism in the predominant philosophy of Chu Hsi. Yun Chung refused government office because he thought the Korean monarchy was corrupt, and spend his life teaching Sirhak ideas. He is known for the quote, "The king could exist without the people, but the people could not exist without the king."
Yun held ideological debates with Song Si-yeol, known as the Hoeni Sibi (懷尼是非,"The Right and Wrong Between Song and Yun"), over the matters of ritualism and politics.
Yun may also considered an early feminist, as he praised and honored female scholars of Confucianism, a position that was typically reserved for males.
He came from the Papyeong Yun clan .
Biography Yun was born in 1629 in Jungseonbang (貞善坊, now Jongno). In 1642, he studied Neo confucianism with his father in a mountain.
Family Father Yun Seon-geo (; 1610 – 21 April 1669) Mother Lady Yi of the Gongju Yi clan Sibling(s) Younger sister - Lady Yun Younger sister - Lady Yun Younger sister - Lady Yun Younger brother - Yun Chu (; 1632–1707) Younger brother - Yun Jol Younger brother - Yun Eub Spouse Lady Kwon of the Andong Kwon clan ; eldest daughter Issue Son - Yun Haeng-gyo Son - Yun Chung-gyo Daughter - Lady Yun Son-in-law - Im Jin-yeong
Works Myeongjaeyugo Myeongjaeuiryemundap Myeongjaeyuseo
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Important facts
Contemporaries
People whose lives overlapped Yun Jeung's
Frequently asked questions
Who was Yun Jeung?
Korean philosopher (1629-1714)
When was Yun Jeung born?
Yun Jeung was born in 1629.
When did Yun Jeung die?
Yun Jeung died in 1714.
What was Yun Jeung's occupation?
Yun Jeung was a philosopher, politician and writer.
What nationality was Yun Jeung?
Yun Jeung was Korean.
Sources & further reading
Cite this page
APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Yun Jeung. https://biography.guide/yun-jeung/
MLA: "Yun Jeung." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/yun-jeung/.
Chicago: "Yun Jeung." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/yun-jeung/.
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