Korea Focus - February 2012

the post-exilic name of Dasan). Its earlier edition, “The Complete Works of Yeoyudang” (Yeoyudang jeonseo), was handed down in various manuscripts that filled 154 volumes and 76 books. Compiled and published in 1936 by Jeong In-bo and others, it has served as the basis of Dasan studies ever since.

However, some sections of the book have a large number of typographical errors, raising doubts regarding Dasan’s authorship. Also, there are other Dasan works that are not included in the anthology. As such, the recently released collection (a total of 37 volumes) has been recompiled to solve these problems, and has been edited so that the text is written horizontally according to the system of Hangeul, the Korean script.

An international academic convention will be held on July 5-7, under the theme of “Global Legacy, Dasan Jeong Yak-yong’s Ideas and Projects.”

Francoise Julien, a leading French scholar in Asian philosophy and professor at Paris Diderot University, and Yi U-seong, professor emeritus of Sungkyungwan University, are expected to give the keynote lectures. Fifty scholars from Korea and abroad who are involved in Dasan studies will attend the convention. Discussions also have been held about inviting North Korean scholars. Dasan is also revered in North Korea and it reportedly is planning its commemorative events.

The Dasan Music Festival is scheduled to be held in the spring and fall. It will feature “Song of Dasan,” a 150-minute creative work of pansori epic chant about Dasan’s thought and life, as well as the original song “O Dasan, O Dasan” and other performances.

Hanyang University Professor Jeong Min, who wrote “Dasan Rediscovered” (Humanist publishers), said, “Although Dasan is mainly well-known as a philosopher with a love for the people, which is reflected in his magnum opus