윤증 尹拯
Neo-Confucian scholar and leader of the Soron faction, pen name Myeongjae, posthumous title Munseong; taught students at Noseong, Nonsan
| Life | 1629 ~ 1714 |
| Era | 조선 후기 |
| Clan | 파평 윤씨 |
Life & career
Yun Jeung (1629-1714) was a late Joseon scholar of the Papyeong Yun clan, son of Yun Seon-geo, with the pen name Myeongjae (明齋). He lived at Noseong (Iseong) in Nonsan, South Chungcheong, and is said to have studied under Song Si-yeol, Kim Jip, Yu Gye and Gwon Si, becoming a Neo-Confucian scholar versed in ritual studies.
He declined most of the posts offered to him and, when appointed right state councillor in old age, resigned and was moved to a senior advisory post. When the Westerners split into Noron and Soron, he was acclaimed leader of the Soron. After he asked his teacher Song Si-yeol to write his father's epitaph, a dispute over its wording ended their master-pupil bond, known as the Hoeni controversy after Hoedeok, Song's home, and Iseong, his own.
His works include Myeongjae Yugo, Myeongjae Uirye Mundap and Myeongjae Yuseo. After death his rank was stripped and later restored in 1722, and he received the posthumous name Munseong in 1723.
Family and Learning
He was born into the Noseong branch of the Papyeong Yun in Nonsan, in the line of his grandfather Yun Hwang and father Yun Seon-geo. He studied Neo-Confucianism under Song Si-yeol and Kim Jip and was versed in ritual studies.
The Hoeni Controversy and the Soron
His break with Song Si-yeol over his father's epitaph, the Hoeni controversy, is described as one of the triggers of the split of the Westerners into Noron and Soron, and Yun Jeung was acclaimed Soron leader. Heavily affected by factional strife, his rank was stripped after death and restored in 1722.
Myeongjae House and Nogang Seowon
Myeongjae House in Gyochon-ri, Noseong-myeon, Nonsan, named for his pen name, is a national folk heritage; it is said he built it, but the surviving buildings were repaired later and show mid-19th-century style. His family's relics are separately designated, and he has been enshrined at Nogang Seowon with Yun Hwang, Yun Mun-geo and Yun Seon-geo since 1723.
Grave
The exact tomb location was not confirmed here. He is honored through Myeongjae House (national folk heritage) and Nogang Seowon in Noseong, Nonsan.
Descendants
The leading figure of the Noseong (Nojong) Papyeong Yun house in Nonsan, in the line of his father Yun Seon-geo and grandfather Yun Hwang; some sources class him in the Sojeong-gong branch.