South Korea

South Korea 1000Won VG
Front: The portrait of Yi Hwang (1501-1570), one of the two most prominent Korean Confucian scholars of the Joseon Dynasty.
Back: Dosan Seowon (Dosan Confucian Academy)



Yi Hwang born in Ongye-ri on 21/11/1501 and belong to the Jinseong Yi clan. This wonderful man learn alot. At age of six he learn Thousand Character Classic at his neighborhood from an old man, even more at age of 12 he learn the Analects of Confucius from his uncle and he obtained two-volume Seongni Taejeon, at the age of 19. He studied in National Academy, Seoul at the age of 23. He continuing his scholarly pursuits whilst working for the Joseon government at 33, he continued to work for the government throughout his life, moving through 29 different positions. His integrity made him relentless as he took part in purges of corrupt government officials. In a report to the king following an inspection tour of Chungcheong Province as a royal secret inspector, he ruthlessly condemned a provincial official who, ignoring an order from an honest magistrate, busied himself in illicitly building a fortune by taking possession of government articles. On numerous occasions he was even exiled from the capital for his firm commitment to principle. He retired in 1549 and back to his home. He began to build the Dosan Seowon during his retired but he wasn't fortunate to lived and see his academy opening but his student remain working even after his death. The opening of Dosan Seowon was on 1574 and remains in use till today. Toegyero -- a street in central Seoul -- is named after him, and he is depicted on the South Korean 1,000-Won note. The Taekwondo pattern Toi-Gye was named in honor of Yi Hwang.

Dosan Seodang and Jeongyodang on the back of the 1000 Won note