Jeong In-ji facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Jeong In-ji 정인지
Portrait of Jeong In-ji
Chief State Councillor
In office July 25, 1455 – January 11, 1459
Preceded by	Yi Yu, Grand Prince Suyang
Succeeded by	Jeong Chang-son
Left State Councillor
In office November 11, 1453 – April 20, 1455
Preceded by	Kim Jong-seo
Succeeded by	Han Hwak
Personal details
Born	(1396-12-28)December 28, 1396 Hanseong-bu, Kingdom of Joseon
Died	November 26, 1478(1478-11-26) (aged 81) Hanseong-bu, Kingdom of Joseon
Korean name
Hangul	정인지
Hanja	鄭麟趾
Revised Romanization	Jeong Inji
McCune–Reischauer	Chŏng Inji
Art name
Hangul	학역재
Hanja	學易齋
Revised Romanization	Hagyeokjae
McCune–Reischauer	Hagyŏkchae
Courtesy name
Hangul	백저
Hanja	伯雎
Revised Romanization	Baekjeo
McCune–Reischauer	Baekchŏ
Posthumous name
Hangul	문성
Hanja	文成
Revised Romanization	Munseong
McCune–Reischauer	Munsŏng
Joseon Royal Title
Hangul	하동부원군
Hanja	河東府院君
Revised Romanization	Hadong Buwongun
McCune–Reischauer	Hadong Puwongun

Jeong In-ji (Hangul: 정인지; Hanja: 鄭麟趾; December 28, 1396 – November 26, 1478) was an important scholar and historian in the Joseon Kingdom of Korea. He was known for his deep knowledge of Neo-Confucianism, a way of thinking that guided society at the time.

Jeong In-ji held many high-ranking positions in the government. He served as a Vice Minister of Education and later as Minister of Rites. He even became the Left State Councillor and then the Chief State Councillor, which was like being the prime minister. He worked under several kings, including Sejong the Great, Munjong, Danjong, and Sejo. His nickname was Hakyeokjae. He belonged to the Hadong Jeong clan.

Letters written by Jeong In-ji

Helping Create Hangeul

Jeong In-ji is perhaps most famous for his work on Hangeul, the unique Korean alphabet. He wrote the important postscript for the Hunmin Jeongeum Haerye. This book explained how Hangeul worked. Hangeul was invented by King Sejong in 1443. Jeong In-ji's writing helped people understand this new writing system.

Important Historical Works

Besides Hangeul, Jeong In-ji also helped create other significant works. He contributed to the Goryeo-sa, which was the official history of the Goryeo dynasty. The Goryeo dynasty ruled Korea before Joseon. He also worked on the Yongbi Eocheon-ga, a collection of songs praising the founding of the Joseon dynasty. These works show his skills as a historian and scholar.

Family Connections

Jeong In-ji came from the Hadong Jeong clan. His father was Jeong Heung-in and his mother was Lady Jin of the Heungdeok Jin clan.

He had two wives, Lady Jo of the Hanyang Jo clan and Lady Yi of the Gyeongju Yi clan. His second son, Jeong Hyeon-jo, married Princess Uisuk. She was the second daughter of King Sejo of Joseon. This marriage gave his family strong connections to the royal family.

Books and Writings

Jeong In-ji was a very productive writer and scholar. Here are some of the important books he worked on or wrote:

• Hunminjeongeum (훈민정음, 訓民正音) - The original document introducing Hangeul.
• Hunminjeongeum yehae (훈민정음예해, 訓民正音例解) - His explanation of Hangeul.
• Hagyeokjaejip (학역재집, 學易齋集) - A collection of his own writings.
• Yeokdae yeokbeop (역대역법, 歷代曆法) - A book about historical calendar systems.
• Goryeosa (고려사, 高麗史) - The official history of the Goryeo dynasty.
• Goryeosa jeolyo (고려사절요, 高麗史節要) - A summary of the Goryeo history.
• Yeokdae byeongyo (역대병요, 歷代兵要) - A book about military strategies through history.
• Sejong sillok (세종실록, 世宗實錄) - The Royal Annals of King Sejong, which he helped compile.

See also

• Sejo of Joseon
• Sin Suk-ju
• Han Myeong-hoe
• Han Hwak