Seminar commemorating 800 anniversary of birth of Seoljae (雪齋) Munjeonggong (文靖公) Jeong Ga-sin (鄭可臣)

Seoljae (馯豏) Munjeonggong (湞獶俖) Jeong Ga-sin (濷呇蝂) was the most central figure in the Naju Jeong clan and was an active civil servant in the late Goryeo Dynasty. He held many important government posts, including Jigonggeo, Byeoksangsamhansamjungdaegwang, and Susagong, and greatly contributed to the stability of the country by displaying his literary talents. With Confucian virtues as his ideals, he compiled the Book of Heavenly Treasures as a cautionary tale to reflect on the past and guard himself. He established the Ssanggye School in Naju, where he studied with Kim Joo-jung and Yunbo and refined his scholarship and personality, and the Ssanggye School was used as a place where representative scholars of the time gathered to conduct academic research until the Joseon Dynasty, playing a major role in our academic history. For this, Naju Ssanggye School was designated as Jeollanam-do Tangible Cultural Property No. 34. He also played a major role as a diplomat, demonstrating outstanding diplomatic skills through political and cultural exchanges with the Yuan Dynasty in the late Goryeo Dynasty, and greatly contributed to the stability and elevation of the country’s status through his outstanding negotiating skills in important diplomatic matters.

Seminar commemorating 800 anniversary of birth of Seoljae (馯豏) Munjeonggong (湞獶俖) Jeong Ga-sin (濷呇蝂)

Cornerstone of raising great descendants with a spirit of sacrifice and dedication

On October 9, 2024, a seminar commemorating the 800th anniversary of the birth of Seoljae (馯豏) Munjeonggong (湞獶俖) Jeong Ga-sin (濷呇蝂) was held at the Local Finance Association building in Mapo-gu, Seoul. The seminar, organized and hosted by the Naju Jeong Clan Association (President Jeong Song-hak), featured four scholarly presentations on the study of Jeong Ga-sin’s political and academic partnership with Mongolian Grand Khan Kublai, including Choi Ki-ho, a historian of Goryeo history and former president of Ulaanbaatar University in Mongolia. In his opening speech, the association president Jeong said “We have newly recognized the ideology of today’s network, fairness, integrity, humility, and livelihood through our founder Jeong Ga-sin. We also learned that although he served as Cheomuijungchan and his great contributions to the country are recorded in the history of Goryeo, his descendants were not properly aware of him and his evaluation was undervalued. Through this seminar, we hope to learn about his unsparing sacrifice and exemplary conduct for the country, and by following the will of our founder, we can become the cornerstone for raising our descendants to be excellent people.” The seminar shared the life of Jeong Ga-sin, Sambyeolcho’s Battle of Mount Geumseongsan in Naju and the study of leadership for peace and unity.

Former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn and other dignitaries give congratulatory remarks

Opportunity to solve the problems we are currently facing

Many distinguished guests attended the seminar and sent congratulatory remarks, including former Prime Minister Hwang Kyo-ahn, National Assembly members Na Kyung-won, Lee Gae-ho, Shin Jeong-hoon, and Incheon Mayor Yoo Jeong-bok. Na delivered her congratulatory message “The Naju Jeong family has inherited the academic tradition and scholarly spirit throughout its long history, and today, we have prepared a meaningful place to inherit that legacy. I hope that this seminar will be an opportunity to reflect on the wisdom of the past and find a new direction to solve the problems we face in our time.” Lee delivered “I would like to express my deepest gratitude to Jeong Song-hak and other relatives who hosted this meaningful seminar. I believe that Jeong Ga-sin’s outstanding diplomacy and upright character resonate greatly in our modern society, which is complexly revolved around conflict and competition. If we take this to heart and follow its example, I am confident that our society will become more harmonious and peaceful.” Shin said “I believe that deeply reexamining the philosophy and achievements of Jeong Ga-sin, who was an expert in politics and diplomacy and was skilled in writing, will not only be an opportunity to rediscover the regional spirit of the prestigious Naju Jeong clan, but also a meaningful time to share with everyone the spirit he wanted to pass on to future generations. I congratulate everyone on holding the seminar and wish for the endless development of the Naju Jeong clan and all who participated.” Yoo said “Jeong Ga-sin communicated with the world and brought about the fusion of Eastern and Western cultures through his interactions with the Kublai Khan brothers of the Yuan Dynasty. In that sense, this seminar is very meaningful in that it sheds new light on his achievements. As the mayor of Incheon, I will do my best with a heavy sense of responsibility as a public official.” This seminar is expected to serve as an opportunity for us, living in a complex society full of conflict and competition, to reflect on the wisdom of the past and explore opportunities to solve the problems we face today, by commemorating the 800th anniversary of the birth of Jeong Ga-sin and looking back on his achievements and life.