Jo Gwang-jo and the Neo-Confucian Reforms

Jo Gwang-jo

Jo Gwang-jo was a Neo-Confucian scholar and politician of the mid-Joseon period, representing the Sarim faction that drove reforms during the reign of Jungjong. Aiming for moral politics based on Neo-Confucianism, he advanced reforms in the bureaucratic recruitment system, the dissemination of Hyangyak (local covenants), the abolition of Sogyeokseo (the office in charge of Taoist rituals), and the review of meritorious subjects' achievements. However, he clashed with the existing power group, the Hungu faction, fell from power in the Gimyo Sahwa (Purge of 1519), and was ordered to drink poison. In later generations, he was highly evaluated as a Neo-Confucian scholar who pursued ideal politics and became one of the figures venerated at Munmyo (Confucian Shrine).

Timeline

Category
Element

Year	Jo Gwang-jo
1482	Birth of Jo Gwang-jo (Period: August 23, 1482 (dates vary across sources when converted to the Gregorian calendar), Location: Seoul, South Korea (listed as Hanseong at the time in some sources; some list present-day Yongin, Gyeonggi-do as birth place))
1498	Muo Sahwa (First Literati Purge, Age: 15 years old, Period: 1498, Location: Hanseong of the Joseon Dynasty (present-day Seoul, South Korea) and local exile sites) Studies under Kim Koeng-pil and cultivation of Neo-Confucian scholarship (Age: 15 years old, Period: From 1498 onwards, Location: Exile sites of Kim Koeng-pil including Huicheon, Pyeongan-do)
1499	Marriage (Jo Gwang-jo, Age: 16 years old, Period: Some sources cite around 1499, Location: Thought to be within the Joseon Dynasty, but specific wedding location is unknown)
1504	Gapja Sahwa (Second Literati Purge, Age: 21 years old, Period: 1504, Location: Hanseong of the Joseon Dynasty (present-day Seoul, South Korea) and local exile sites)
1510	Passing the civil service examination and entry into government service (Age: 27 years old, Period: 1510–1515, Location: Hanseong (present-day Seoul, South Korea)) Spread of Hyangyak and local social reform (Age: 27 years old, Period: Latter half of the 1510s, Location: Local communities across the Joseon Dynasty)
1518	Introduction of the Hyeonlyang-gwa (Recommendation Examination, Age: 35 years old, Period: 1518–1519, Location: Throughout the Joseon Dynasty, with selection centered in Hanseong) Abolition of Sogeokseo (Age: 35 years old, Period: 1518, Location: Hanseong (present-day Seoul, South Korea))
1519	Gimyo Sahwa (Third Literati Purge, Age: 36 years old, Period: 1519, Location: Hanseong of the Joseon Dynasty (present-day Seoul, South Korea) and exile sites in Jeolla-do) Advocacy for the removal of false merit honors (Age: 36 years old, Period: 1519, Location: Hanseong (present-day Seoul, South Korea)) Execution by poison and posthumous rehabilitation (Age: 36 years old, Period: Late 1519–16th century onwards, Location: Neungseong, Jeolla-do (present-day Neungju-myeon, Hwasun County, Jeollanam-do, South Korea))
1520	Death of Jo Gwang-jo (Age: 38 years old, Period: December 20, 1519 (lunar calendar; converted to the Gregorian calendar as January 10, 1520 in some sources))

Map

Category
Element

Asia World

Group	List
Ming and Qing Emperors	Yongle Emperor Hongxi Emperor Xuande Emperor Emperor Yingzong of Ming Hongzhi Emperor Wanli Emperor Chongzhen Emperor Hongwu Emperor Hong Taiji Shunzhi Emperor Kangxi Emperor Yongzheng Emperor Qianlong Emperor
Late Ming period	Nurhaci Dorgon Li Zicheng Zhang Xianzhong Wu Sangui Zheng Chenggong Zhu Youlang Yuan Chonghuan Qi Jiguang Yue Fei
Maritime trade	Zheng He Wang Jinghong Wang Dayuan Matteo Ricci Johann Adam Schall von Bell Ferdinand Verbiest William Adams Jan Joosten
Joseon Dynasty	Taejong Sejong Sejo Seongjong Jungjong Seonjo Gwanghaegun Injo Sukjong Yeongjo Jeongjo Jo Gwang-jo Yu Seong-ryong Heo Jun

People Timeline

Jo Gwang-jo and the Neo-Confucian Reforms

Jo Gwang-jo

Timeline

Map

Related Links

Other Languages

Comments

About

Other Languages