• (The)Study of the Eastern Classic
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• no.37
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• pp.307-344
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• 2009

This year of 2009 is the 420th anniversary for the high treason case in the year of ox (year 1589). Until now, there is an endless discussion still progressing about Jeong, Yeo Rip. The evaluation of such individual varies widely according to the viewpoint of each individual. However, the problem is that such confusion or issue is exaggerated under the pretense of his idea's progressivity. The true identity and ideology of Jeong, Yeo Rip will become clear once we review such fact from the origin. This article considered abstract and ideological evaluation of occasion and took its approach thoroughly based on the historical research of literature. Until now, some parts academic world have denied and argued about the fabrication about every details of Jeong, Yeo Rip and event of high treason in the year of ox while accepting the habitual sentence spoken by such individual without a doubt. They have exaggerated Jeong, Yeo Rip as an 'Incompleted Revolutionist' or 'Individual of Revolutionary Ideology'. However, it is imprecise to speak about the terminology of 'Revolutionary'. His ideology is simply elucidating the principal of original Confucianism or a new interpretation of the principle of Confucianism. Jeong, Yeo Rip wanted to contradict the system of national school based on the Zhu-xi's ideology and returned to the principle of original Confucianism. His idea of utopia based on the Confucianism arouse out of the intention of reviving the spirit of original Confucianism. His antagonistic propensity to Zhu-xi's ideology or political idea has transcended the principle of justification based on Sung Confucianism and was also logical and realistic. He was forced on to the deadly circumstance since the society of Joseon Dynasty couldn't accept such logical and progressive idea and deemed him to be nothing more than a disturbing element for the society.