최충 崔沖
Early Goryeo civil official and scholar who founded the Gujae academy (Munheon Gongdo); the "Confucius of the East"
| Life | 984 ~ 1068 |
| Era | 고려 |
| Clan | 해주 최씨 |
Life & career
Choe Chung (984-1068) was an early Goryeo civil official and scholar of the Haeju clan, son of Choe On, a governor of Haeju. His courtesy name was Hoyeon, his pen names Seongjae, Wolpo and Banghoejae, and his posthumous title Munheon.
After placing first in the 1005 examination under King Mokjong, he held posts including Chamjijeongsa, Dobyeongmasa, Minister of Punishments, Jigonggeo and Jungchuwonsa, and rose to Chancellor (1047-1055). Under Munjong he revised criminal law and is said to have introduced the samwon sinsubeop, in which three judicial officials jointly interrogate prisoners; in 1013 he also took part in compiling the veritable records. After leaving office in 1055 he was appointed Naesaryeong.
After retiring he opened the Gujae academy, a private school of nine study halls, also called the Munheon Gongdo. Regarded as the first private school of its kind, it became the center of the Twelve Private Academies that followed, and Choe Chung came to be called the "Confucius of the East" (Haedong Gongja). He died in Gaegyeong in 1068.
Family and Examination
Choe Chung was the son of Choe On of Haeju. Wikipedia describes Choe On as a Haeju clerk, while clan-side accounts call him a good governor of Haeju who rose to Panibusa, so the accounts differ. After Choe Chung became Chancellor his father was posthumously made Crown Prince's Grand Tutor. Choe Chung placed first in the 1005 examination in his early twenties.
Offices and Legal Reform
He served as Chancellor from 1047 to 1055. Under Munjong he is said to have corrected the criminal code and introduced the samwon sinsubeop, in which three officials jointly question prisoners, and he took part in compiling the veritable records. It is also reported that Munjong trusted him most even when they disagreed.
The Gujae Academy and the Munheon Gongdo
After retiring he opened a private school divided into nine study halls, known as the Gujae academy or the Munheon Gongdo. Twelve private academies later arose in Gaegyeong and the Munheon Gongdo ranked first among them, which is why Choe Chung is called the "Confucius of the East". He is also said to have excelled in prose and calligraphy.
Descendants and Commemoration
His son Choe Yu-seon and grandson Choe Sa-chu both became Chancellor, and Choe Sa-je, Choe Yun-ui and Choe Ja carried the family forward. Munheon Seowon in Haeju, honoring Choe Chung and his two sons, was a royally chartered academy; a portrait hall was built in Osan, Gyeonggi, in 1991, where rites are reported each year on the fourth Saturday of April.
Grave
The location of his tomb was not confirmed. His portrait is kept at the portrait hall (Munheon Seowon) in Naesami-dong, Osan, Gyeonggi.
Descendants
Haeju Choe clan. His son Choe Yu-seon served as Chancellor and Choe Yu-gil as Sangseoryeong; grandsons Choe Sa-chu (son of Yu-gil) and Choe Sa-je (son of Yu-seon) rose to high office. Many sources count his father Choe On as the founder.