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Yu Deuk-gong,the Joseon Scholar who Restored Forgotten History of Balhae

2013-01-24

<strong>Yu Deuk-gong</strong>,the Joseon Scholar who Restored Forgotten History of Balhae
History Book Revives Lost Kingdom

The following passage is part of the preface of a history book titled that was written in 1784, the eighth year of King Jeongjo’s reign.

“As the Buyeo clan(Baekje) and the Go clan(Goguryeo) collapsed, the Kim clan(Silla) occupied the south, while the Dae clan(Dae Jo-young, the founder of the Baelhae kingdom) possessed the north, calling it Balhae. Therefore, histories of both the southern and northern states should have been compiled. It was wrong of the Goryeo Dynasty not to do so.”

, written by Kim Bu-sik in 1145, is Korea’s first history book documenting the nation’s ancient history. In the book, the writer established the historical timeline of linking the Three Kingdoms period to unified Silla and then to the Goryeo Dynasty. In contrast, introduced an expanded historical view of connecting the Three Kingdoms to the period of South-North states and then to Goryeo. The noteworthy history book rattled the entire historical community in the nation.

Dae Jo-young, the general of the fallen warrior state of Goguryeo, founded the new kingdom of Balhae in 698. He set up the capital at Dongmo(동모) Mountain with displaced Goguryeo and Mohe people. Balhae lasted for 229 years in Manchuria in northeastern Asia and opened the era of the South-North states in Korean history, along with the unified Silla Dynasty in the south. But the northern kingdom faded into history after it was destroyed by Yelü Abaoji, the emperor of Liao in 926. was the first publication to underline the need to restore the lost territory and history of the kingdom, and to expand Korea’s historical realm to Manchuria dominated by Balhae.

This history book actually led to the efforts to recover the history of Balhae. Let’s find out about the book’s author, Yu Deuk-gong.

Laying the Groundwork for Learning

Born on November 5th, 1748 on the lunar calendar, Yu Deuk-gong lived as an illegitimate son since his great-grandfather and his maternal grandfather were the offspring of unofficial second wives. His father died when he was five years old, and his family was poor.

Yu’s mother, known by her last name Hong, was a strong woman. She became a widow at the age of 28, and despite economic difficulties, moved to Seoul to educate her son. She settled in central Seoul where many high-ranking officials lived, and engaged in sewing work to continue her son’s education.

Yu’s uncle, Yu Ryeon(유련), was well versed in mathematics and astronomy, as indicated by his penname ‘Giha(기하),’ meaning ‘geometry.’ Influenced by his wise uncle, Yu began to take interest in silhak, which was the Confucian social reform advocating “practical learning.” When he was about 20, he began to interact with silhak scholars of the so-called Northern Learning school, such as Park Ji-won(박지원), Park Je-ga(박제가) and Lee Deok-mu(이덕무). Yu even joined them in creating a poets’ society called ‘White Pagoda Companions.’

From then on, Yu attained fame as a poet. He distinguished himself as an epic poet with profound historical insights. When he was 25 years old, he compiled a collection of ancient Korean poems entitled , which covered the period from Gija(기자) to Later Baekje. He began to show interest in history and geography in 1773 when he traveled to Gaeseong, Pyongyang, and the Baekje capital of Gongju together with Park Ji-won and Lee Deok-mu.

Apparently, the trip provided a basis for the epic he wrote five years later, . The ancient capital cities described in the poem include Wanggeom-seong(왕검성), the capital of Dangun Joseon, and the Goryeo capital of Gaeseong.

Leaving a Significant Mark as Historian

Yu was excellent in poetry and prose. He passed a state examination in 1774 and was selected to serve as an editor at the royal library of Gyujanggak(규장각) in 1779, along with Park Je-ga, Lee Deok-mu and Seo Yi-su(서이수). He was in charge of transcribing documentaries and recording what the king and the royal subjects discussed during their monthly lecture sessions.

Thanks to King Jeongjo’s consideration and the progressive atmosphere of the time, Yu was able to free himself from social limitations as an illegitimate son. He served as provincial officials and was also dispatched to China three times— twice to Beijing and once to Shenyang. This gave him an opportunity to travel through the old territories of Goguryeo and Balhae in the northern part of the Korean Peninsula and Manchuria, which he had only imagined before. No doubt, the experience provided strong momentum for him to write in the future.

Unfortunately, King Jeongjo, the spiritual leader of the Northern School of silhak, died, and King Sunjo came to the throne.

In 1801, during King Sunjo’s first year as king, Yu resigned from his government post and lived in seclusion to concentrate on writing. He delved into literature from all ages and countries. His masterpieces include , which was the first publication of Korean seasonal customs, and the historical geography book titled . , in particular, serves as valuable material in the study of folk customs during the Joseon period. Yu died in 1807 at the age of 60, but his accurate perception of Korean history paved the way for the publication of other important books, such as by renowned silhak scholar Jeong Yak-yong and by Han Chi-yun(한치윤).
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