박제가 朴齊家

Silhak scholar representative of the Northern Learning (Bukhak) school in the late Joseon period

Life & career

Park Je-ga was a Silhak scholar of the late Joseon period. Though of secondary (seoeol) birth, he was appointed a librarian-editor (geomseogwan) of the Gyujanggak during King Jeongjo's reign, and together with Yi Deok-mu, Yu Deuk-gong, and Seo I-su he was called one of the "Four Editors (Sageomseo)." Based on his experience taking part in a diplomatic mission to Qing China in 1778, he wrote his representative work Discourse on Northern Learning (Bukhak-ui), arguing for the active adoption of Qing's advanced culture, commerce and industry, carts, bricks, and overseas trade.

He argued the logic that consumption stimulates production, emphasizing the promotion of commerce, and stressed enriching the country (bugug) through the abolition of status discrimination. He served as a provincial official, including Magistrate of Yangpyeong and Buyeo, and took part in compiling the martial arts manual Muyedobo Tongji. His writings include the Jeongyugak Jip.

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