Seonggyungwan
Encyclopedia
Sungkyunkwan, also called Taehak (태학, 太學), was the foremost education institution in Korea during the late Goryeo
and Joseon
Dynasties.
, the highest education system during the Goryeo Dynasty was established in November of 992 by King Seongjong
. Gukjagam
was renamed Sungkyunkwan in June of 1304, and then relocated to the old site of Seongmun-gwan in 1367 during the reign of King Gongmin
near the end of the Goryeo Dynasty.
After the founding of the Joseon Dynasty
in 1392, King Taejo
relocated Sungkyunkwan to Hanseong
, current Seoul
, and also founded 360 Hyanggyo
s nationwide in July of 1398, establishing a national education system.
Sungkyunkwan was destroyed by fire in 1400 and rebuilt in 1407. Sungkyunkwan was rebuilt again in 1601 after it was destroyed during the Japanese invasions.
During the colonial era
between 1910 - 1945, royal Sungkyunkwan was demoted to private institution and renamed to Gyunghakwon, and Korean education was prohibited and Japanese education was forced nationwide.
After Korea gained independence in 1945, Gyeonghakwon was renamed to Sungkyunkwan and with the funding from Yurim (confucians) nationwide, Sungkyunkwan University
was established.
The institution's administrator had a government rank of sampum (삼품), with lower ranking officials of Jwaeju (좨주), Akjeong (악정), Jikgang (직강), Baksa (박사), Hakjeong (학정), Haknok (학록), Hagyu (학유) as supporting staff.
The main goal was for the students to pass the civil service examinations, also known as gwageo
, which assessed the ability to interpret the Chinese classics in terms of official Neo-Confucian ideology.
The set number of students were 150 when Sungkyunkwan was founded, and raised to 200 in 1429.
Entrance examinations for Sungkyunkwan were extremely harsh, and was only allowed for the sons of high-ranking officials or yangban
s.
There were two ways to be accepted into Sungkyunkwan. Either the students had to pass the two admission exams, Saeng-wonsi (생원시) and Jinsasi (진사시), or take the other two examinations, Seungbo (승보) and Eumseo (음서). If they passed these examinations, they were given the opportunity to be accepted.
Once accepted, the students had to complete the curriculum and also fulfill the minimal attendance score of 300 Wonjeom (원점) to qualify for the first test of the civil service exams.
Goryeo
The Goryeo Dynasty or Koryŏ was a Korean dynasty established in 918 by Emperor Taejo. Korea gets its name from this kingdom which came to be pronounced Korea. It united the Later Three Kingdoms in 936 and ruled most of the Korean peninsula until it was removed by the Joseon dynasty in 1392...
and Joseon
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
Dynasties.
History
GukjagamGukjagam
The Gukjagam, known at times as Gukhak or Seonggyungwan, was the highest educational institution of the Korean Goryeo dynasty. It was located at the capital, Gaegyeong , and provided advanced training in the Chinese classics. It was established in 992 during the reign of Seongjong...
, the highest education system during the Goryeo Dynasty was established in November of 992 by King Seongjong
Seongjong of Goryeo
Seongjong of Goryeo was the sixth monarch of the medieval Korean kingdom Goryeo. He was the second son of Daejong, and a grandson of Emperor Taejo. He ascended the throne after Gyeongjong stepped down....
. Gukjagam
Gukjagam
The Gukjagam, known at times as Gukhak or Seonggyungwan, was the highest educational institution of the Korean Goryeo dynasty. It was located at the capital, Gaegyeong , and provided advanced training in the Chinese classics. It was established in 992 during the reign of Seongjong...
was renamed Sungkyunkwan in June of 1304, and then relocated to the old site of Seongmun-gwan in 1367 during the reign of King Gongmin
Gongmin of Goryeo
King Gongmin ruled Goryeo Dynasty Korea from 1351 until 1374.he was the second son of King Chungsuk. In addition to his various Korean names , he bore the Mongolian name Bayàn Temür .-Early life:...
near the end of the Goryeo Dynasty.
After the founding of the Joseon Dynasty
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
in 1392, King Taejo
Taejo of Joseon
Taejo of Joseon , born Yi Seong-gye, whose changed name is Yi Dan, was the founder and the first king of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea, and the main figure in overthrowing the Goryeo Dynasty...
relocated Sungkyunkwan to Hanseong
History of Seoul
The history of Seoul can be traced back as far as 18 BC. But humans have occupied the area now as Seoul since Paleolithic Age. Counting from now, Seoul has been a major settlement for over 2,000 years...
, current Seoul
Seoul
Seoul , officially the Seoul Special City, is the capital and largest metropolis of South Korea. A megacity with a population of over 10 million, it is the largest city proper in the OECD developed world...
, and also founded 360 Hyanggyo
Hyanggyo
The Hyanggyo were government-run provincial schools established separately during the Goryeo Dynasty and Joseon Dynasty , but did not meet with widespread success in either dynasty...
s nationwide in July of 1398, establishing a national education system.
Sungkyunkwan was destroyed by fire in 1400 and rebuilt in 1407. Sungkyunkwan was rebuilt again in 1601 after it was destroyed during the Japanese invasions.
During the colonial era
Korea under Japanese rule
Korea was under Japanese rule as part of Japan's 35-year imperialist expansion . Japanese rule ended in 1945 shortly after the Japanese defeat in World War II....
between 1910 - 1945, royal Sungkyunkwan was demoted to private institution and renamed to Gyunghakwon, and Korean education was prohibited and Japanese education was forced nationwide.
After Korea gained independence in 1945, Gyeonghakwon was renamed to Sungkyunkwan and with the funding from Yurim (confucians) nationwide, Sungkyunkwan University
Sungkyunkwan University
Sungkyunkwan University is a private university in Seoul and Suwon, South Korea. The university has two campuses: the Humanities and Social Sciences campus in Myeongnyun Dong, Jongno-gu in central Seoul, and the Natural Sciences Campus in Cheoncheon Dong, Jangan Gu, Suwon...
was established.
Buildings and administration
- Daeseongjeon (대성전): Shrine which holds the memorial for ConfuciusConfuciusConfucius , literally "Master Kong", was a Chinese thinker and social philosopher of the Spring and Autumn Period....
. - Dongmu (동무) and Seomu (서무): Shrines which holds the memorial for Confucius' 10 students, and 18 Korean scholars.
- Myeongnyundang (명륜당): The main study.
- Jongyeonggak (존경각): Library
- Dongjae (동재) and Seojae (서재): Dormitories
- Bicheon-dang (비천당): Examination building
- Jegigo (제기고): Storage building for ceremonial dishes
- Jinsasikdang (진사식당): Dining building
- Jeongnokcheong (정록청): Administration building
The institution's administrator had a government rank of sampum (삼품), with lower ranking officials of Jwaeju (좨주), Akjeong (악정), Jikgang (직강), Baksa (박사), Hakjeong (학정), Haknok (학록), Hagyu (학유) as supporting staff.
Education
Sungkyunkwan's teachings were mainly Confucian-related, and was largely aimed at preparing students for government services.The main goal was for the students to pass the civil service examinations, also known as gwageo
Gwageo
The gwageo were the national civil service examinations under the Goryeo and Joseon dynasties of Korea. Typically quite demanding, these tests measured candidates' knowledge of the Chinese classics, and sometimes also of technical subjects...
, which assessed the ability to interpret the Chinese classics in terms of official Neo-Confucian ideology.
The set number of students were 150 when Sungkyunkwan was founded, and raised to 200 in 1429.
Entrance examinations for Sungkyunkwan were extremely harsh, and was only allowed for the sons of high-ranking officials or yangban
Yangban
The yangban were part of the traditional ruling class or nobles of dynastic Korea during the Joseon Dynasty. The yangban were either landed or unlanded aristocracy who comprised the Korean Confucian idea of a "scholarly official." In reality, they were basically administrators and bureaucrats who...
s.
There were two ways to be accepted into Sungkyunkwan. Either the students had to pass the two admission exams, Saeng-wonsi (생원시) and Jinsasi (진사시), or take the other two examinations, Seungbo (승보) and Eumseo (음서). If they passed these examinations, they were given the opportunity to be accepted.
Once accepted, the students had to complete the curriculum and also fulfill the minimal attendance score of 300 Wonjeom (원점) to qualify for the first test of the civil service exams.
Notable alumni
- Jeong InjiJeong InjiJeong Inji was a Korean Neo-Confucian scholar and government minister. During the reign of Sejong the Great, he was vice-minister of education....
- Shin Suk-juShin Suk-juShin Suk-ju was a Korean politician and soldier during the Joseon Dynasty. He served as Prime Minister from 1461 to 1464 and from 1471 to 1475. His pen name was Huihyundang , Bohanjae ....
- Jo Gwang-jo
- Yi HwangYi HwangYi Hwang is one of the two most prominent Korean Confucian scholars of the Joseon Dynasty, the other being his younger contemporary Yi I . A key figure of the Neo-Confucian literati, he established the Yeongnam School and set up the Dosan Seowon, a private Confucian academy. Yi Hwang is often...
- Yi IYi IYi I was one of the two most prominent Korean Confucian scholars of the Joseon Dynasty, the other being his older contemporary, Yi Hwang . Yi I is often referred to by his pen name Yulgok...
- Yu Seong-ryongYu Seong-ryongYu Seong-ryong , also often spelled Ryu Seong-ryong, was a scholar-official and Prime minister of the Joseon Dynasty of Korea...
See also
- Education in the Joseon DynastyEducation in the Joseon DynastyEducation in the Joseon Dynasty of Korea was largely aimed at preparing students for government service. The ultimate goal of most students was successful passage of the state examinations, known as gwageo....
- History of EducationHistory of educationThe history of education its part of the past and present teaching and learning. Each generation, since the beginning of human existence, has sought to pass on cultural and social values, traditions, morality, religion and skills to the next generation. The passing on of culture is also known as...
- GukhakGukhakThe Gukhak, was the sole recorded institution of higher learning in the Silla period of medieval Korean history. It provided training in the Chinese classics. An earier institution, the Taehak, had been founded in 372....
- GukjagamGukjagamThe Gukjagam, known at times as Gukhak or Seonggyungwan, was the highest educational institution of the Korean Goryeo dynasty. It was located at the capital, Gaegyeong , and provided advanced training in the Chinese classics. It was established in 992 during the reign of Seongjong...
- Sungkyunkwan ScandalSungkyunkwan ScandalSungkyunkwan Scandal is a 2010 South Korean historical fiction drama, broadcast by Korean Broadcasting System , whose original run was from August 30, 2010 to November 2, 2010.-Synopsis:...