Yi Hwang

Yi Hwang, born in 1501, was a prominent Korean philosopher, writer, and Confucian scholar during the Joseon period. Renowned as the most significant philosopher in Korea, his legacy is honored through his portrait on the one thousand South Korean won banknote, which also features an image of his esteemed school, Dosan Seowon.

As a leading figure of the Neo-Confucian literati, Yi Hwang established the Yeongnam School and founded the Dosan Seowon, a private Confucian academy that became a center for learning and scholarship. He is often referred to by his art name, Toegye, which translates to 'Retreating Creek,' and his courtesy name was Gyeongho.

Yi Hwang's interpretation of Neo-Confucianism had a profound impact not only in Korea but also in neighboring countries such as Japan, Taiwan, and Vietnam. His influential work, Ten Diagrams on Sage Learning, was originally published in classical Chinese and has since been translated into several modern languages, including Korean, Japanese, Vietnamese, English, French, German, Russian, and Polish.

Despite the challenges he faced, including the looting of some of his writings by the Japanese military during their invasion of Korea, Yi Hwang's contributions to philosophy and education continue to be studied and revered, even in mainland China today.