Hong Seok-ju

Hong Seok-ju (洪奭周, 1774 – 1842) was a Joseon scholar-official. He was the grandson of Hong Nak-seong and the brother of Hong Gil-ju and Hong Hyeon-ju. His courtesy name was Seongbaek (成伯), his art name was Yeoncheon (淵泉), his family seat was Pungsan (豊山), and his posthumous name was Mungan (文簡).

Life

In 1795 (the 19th year of King Jeongjo's reign), he passed the gwageo civil service examination at the top grade in a special examination (singmyeon), and after serving as Gyeomyeol, Susa, and GyorI and others, he became a senior official (dangsanggwan). He rose to Seungji and Left Minister of Personnel (Ijo chamui), and then held the posts of Vice Director of the Hongmungwan, Vice Minister of Justice, Grand Remonstrator of the Samganwon, Left Attendant to the Crown Prince's Guests, and Director of the Hongmungwan, before reaching Vice Minister of Personnel, Governor of Jeolla Province, Mayor of Hanseong, Minister of Justice, Director of the Yemun'gwan, Right Assistant State Councillor of the Uijeongbu, Right Attendant to the Crown Prince's Guests, and Minister of War. Afterwards he served as Minister of Justice, Minister of Public Works, Left Assistant State Councillor of the Uijeongbu, Minister of War, Grand Remonstrator of the Saheonbu, Acting Director of the Office of Royal Secretariat (Geomgyo jikje hak'ji), Director of the Yemun'gwan, Minister of Revenue, Chief Justice of the Office of Special Inquiry, Minister of Rites, and Chief Academician. He later traveled to the Qing as an envoy and on his return became Minister of Personnel. He enjoyed the deep trust of King Sunjo and rose to the post of Left State Councillor.

In 1834, when King Sunjo died, he was appointed Chief Compiler of the Office for the Compilation of the Veritable Records and took part in compiling the Veritable Records of King Sunjo. He was not only well versed in Zhu Xi learning, but was also renowned for his scholarship in politics, economics, and science. He wrote many works, including the six-volume Pungsan Sego, the ten-volume Sangye Hoesu, the four-volume Hakgang Sanpiljeo, and the Yeoncheon Jip.

References

• This article contains content based on the Global World Encyclopedia distributed under the GFDL or CC-SA license by Daum Communications (now Kakao).