Hall of Worthies

The Hall of Worthies, or Jiphyeonjeon, was a Korean royal research institute during the Joseon period. It was founded by King Sejong the Great in March 1420, and disbanded in June 1456.

The Hall of Worthies is known for its role in compiling the Hunminjeongeum, the original treatise on Hangul.

History
Sejong established the institution early in his reign, and staffed it with talented scholars. He instructed them to conduct a variety of research activities to strengthen his rule and the nation.

The Hall of Worthies originally served an advisory role to the king, but King Sejong restructured and expanded its role into an academic research institute. During the early part of King Sejong's reign, the Hall of Worthies served as a legislative system, but its role eventually grew to hold discussions regarding Joseon's national policy. The Hall of Worthies would also later act as an organ of the press.

The workplace of the scholars from the Hall of Worthies was located in the Gwollaegaksa, a series of government offices located in Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is assumed that the Gwolaegaksa was located around where the current building of Sujeongjeon resides. There used to be several buildings at Gwollaegaksa, but Sujeongjeon Hall is the only building that remains in well-preserved condition.

The Hall of Worthies was disbanded by King Sejo after many of its members (notably the six martyred ministers) plotted to assassinate Sejo in 1456, following the latter's usurpation of the throne from King Danjong. However, a similar organization, the Hongmungwan, Office of Special Advisors, continued much of the same work, though without enjoying the same prestige or output it had during the earlier period.

Works
The Hall of Worthies participated in various scholarly endeavors, one of which was compiling the Hunminjeongeum. Hangul was personally created by Sejong the Great, and revealed by him in 1443. Afterward, King Sejong wrote the preface to the Hunminjeongeum, explaining the origin and purpose of Hangul and providing brief examples and explanations, and then tasked the Hall of Worthies to write detailed examples and explanations. The head of the Hall of Worthies, Jeong In-ji, was responsible for compiling the Hunminjeongeum. The Hunminjeongeum was published and promulgated to the public in 1446 in order to increase the literacy of the general populace.

Confucianism ideals were very important to King Sejong, and he wanted his subjects to have a medium through which they could learn the ethics and morals of Confucianism. During his 14th year in power, King Sejong instructed his scholars at the Hall of Worthies to compile outstanding examples of the fundamental principles in human relationships (filial piety, loyalty to the state, and wifely devotion) from both Korean and Chinese history. This compilation of works would become the book "Conduct of the Three Fundamental Principles in Human Relationships" (Samgang Haengshildo, Hanja: 三綱行實圖, ). Unfortunately, this work was originally recorded in Chinese characters, and thus, the general public could not read it until it was translated into Hangul some 30 years later.

Besides contributing to the Hunminjeongeum and publishing the Samgang Haengshildo, King Sejong sponsored books such as “The Songs of the Flying Dragons” (Yongbieocheonga) and eulogies of his ancestors, the Hall of Worthies was involved in the publication of numerous scholarly and scientific writings, which contributed to the reputation of Sejong's reign as the golden age of Korean culture.

Communications with other groups
When Ming envoys came to Joseon in 1450 to pronounce the ascension of Emperor Jingdi, members of both the Hall of Worthies and Ming envoys exchanged poems in a tradition now called Hwanghwajip. The Ming envoys were led by Ni Qian, who befriended Hall of Worthies scholars Jeong Inji, Seong Sammun, and Shin Sukju. Both sides would exchange poems several times during the visit. This continual exchange of poems and other tributary gifts led to a strong relationship between the Joseon and the Ming until the Ming’s fall in 1644.

Members

 * Jeong Inji (정인지, 1396–1478)
 * Shin Suk-ju (신숙주, 1417–1475)
 * Choi Hang (최항, 1409–1474)
 * Seong Sammun (성삼문, 1418–1456)
 * Pak Paengnyeon (박팽년, 1417–1456)
 * Yi Gae (이개, 1417–1456)
 * Yu Seong-won (유성원, ?-1456)
 * Yi Sukhyeong (이숙형, 1415–1477)
 * Seo Geojeong (서거정, 1420–1488)

Members who plotted against King Sejo

 * Pak Jungrim: minister, father of Pak Paengnyeon
 * Pak Paengnyeon: vice-minister, one of six martyred ministers
 * Ha Wiji: vice-minister, one of six martyred ministers
 * Seong Sammun: royal secretary, one of six martyred ministers
 * Yi Gae: chief of the Hall of Worthies, one of six martyred ministers
 * Yu Seong-won: high official of Sungkyunkwan, one of six martyred ministers
 * Pak Innyeon: younger brother of Pak Paengnyeon
 * Pak Kinyeon: younger brother of Pak Paengnyeon
 * Heo Jo: brother-in-law of Yi Gae
 * Sim Shin