Jung Yak-yong's Parenting Method

Jung Yak-yong, the Avid Reader

Jung Yak-yong (丁若鏞) was a civil servant and a key figure in the development of Silhak (practical learning) during the late Joseon Dynasty. His remarkable achievements have inspired many films and dramas. Notably, he gained the favor of King Jeongjo, the 22nd ruler of Joseon, and held various important positions. From a young age, Jung Yak-yong was an avid reader. Even when he was later exiled due to political accusations, he continued his studies and reportedly wrote over 500 books. Given this, it's hard to imagine just how much he must have read in his lifetime. Despite his deep love for reading, he was also strict when it came to educating his children. Let’s take a look at his approach to education.

Jung Yak-yong, the King of Reading in the Late Joseon Dynasty (Source: National Museum of Korea)

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Learning About the World Through History Books

Jung Yak-yong firmly believed that reading alone was not enough—one had to truly understand the content. He emphasized the importance of reading books multiple times and encouraged his children to ask questions whenever they encountered difficult concepts. He placed particular importance on history books, believing that history reveals the recurring patterns of human affairs. He wanted his children to read history books not just as stories but as a way to understand the world.

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The Importance of Copying Passages (Choseo)

Even while living in exile in Haenam, South Jeolla Province, Jung Yak-yong remained dedicated to his children's education. Since letters were the only means of communication at the time, he frequently wrote to them, offering study advice. One of the key practices he emphasized was choseo, or copying important passages from books. He instructed his children not only to copy the text but also to add their own thoughts. He believed that reviewing these notes later would help them reflect deeply, recognize their strengths and weaknesses, and ultimately improve their studies. Jung Yak-yong led by example—his extensive notes and categorized records became the foundation for the 500 books he later authored.

 

Jung Yak-yong was known as one of the most well-read scholars of the late Joseon Dynasty, writing numerous books throughout his lifetime. Even during his exile, he worried about his children's education. He wanted them to read history books carefully, look up anything they didn’t understand, and reflect deeply on their meanings. He also believed that copying important passages (choseo) and reviewing them later would help them better understand their own thoughts. His dedication to his children's studies, even from afar, shows his deep love and concern as a father.

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