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Choe Chung

Type Figure Region Goryeo Time 984–1068 Also known as Hŏryŏn、Hŏngjae、Confucius of the East Sea

Choe Chung (984–1068), Goryeo statesman and Confucian scholar who served four kings, founded the private school 'Twelve Public Schools', and was hono…

Timeline

  1. 1000–1055Kaesŏng · KaesŏngHeld posts including Academician of the Hanlin Academy, Censor-in-Chief, Left Vice Director of the Ministry of Works, State Councilor, Director of Military Affairs of the Northwestern Circuit, and Chancellor; he took part in compiling national histories and planning frontier defense, and was one of the core ministers of King Munjong's reign.
  2. 1055–1068Kaesŏng · KaesŏngAfter retiring from office he founded the private school Munhŏn Gongt'o, establishing nine academies to teach the Confucian classics; his disciples excelled in the imperial examinations, promoting the private-school culture of Kaegyŏng, known in history as the 'Twelve Public Schools' or 'Twelve Meritorious Ways'.
  3. 1086Kaesŏng · KaesŏngIn the third year of King Sŏnjong's reign the court formally recognized his scholarly merit, enshrining him in King Chŏngjong's ancestral temple, a sign that Choe Chung's Confucian tradition still enjoyed state ritual recognition in the later 11th century.

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