Redefining the Sky of Joseon – The Scientific Brilliance of Chiljeongsan Naeoe-pyeon (from Volume 156 of the Veritable Records of King Sejong) During the Goryeo Dynasty, Choi Seongji accompanied King Chungseon on a visit to the Yuan Dynasty in China. There, he obtained a copy of the Shoushili Calendar (授時曆法) and brought it back to Korea, where it was adopted for the first time. However, at the time, local calendar officials only understood how to construct the calendar itself. They lacked the knowledge to calculate solar and lunar eclipses or determine the positions of the five planets—Mercury, Venus, Mars, Jupiter, and Saturn. In response, King Sejong commissioned Jeong Heumji, Jeong Cho, and Jeong Inji to conduct astronomical research and refine the calendar system. These scholars successfully unraveled the underlying principles. Where their understanding fell short, King Sejong himself, with his keen insight, discerned the correct interpretations. Moreover, the Joseon cou...
Bigyeokjincheonroe – A Timed Bomb from 16th Century Korea Joseon: The Historical Root of the Republic of Korea When people around the world think of Korea today, they often associate it with cutting-edge technologies, K-pop, semiconductors, or its rising influence in the global defense market. However, these achievements did not appear overnight. They stem from a long tradition of scientific creativity and technological innovation—most notably during the era of Joseon (1392–1897) , the predecessor state of modern Republic of Korea (South Korea) . Joseon was a country that valued practical science and systematized its technologies. From astronomy to agriculture, from medicine to weapons engineering, the spirit of innovation was deeply embedded in national policy. “Joseon (1392–1897) was Korea’s last dynastic kingdom, known for its Confucian bureaucracy and scientific innovation.” “Imjin War” Japanese invasions of Korea (1592–1598) Bigyeokjin...
<Singijeon Part 2> The Pinnacle of Joseon Scientific Technology: The Structural Excellence and Technological Superiority of Singijeon and Hwacha In 15th-century Joseon, science and technology were not just tools for development but were perceived as core components of national defense. This philosophy led to the integration of scientific innovations into advanced weapon systems, most notably the Singijeon (Divine Machine Arrow) and its launching platform, the Hwacha (Fire Cart). This article delves into the scientific structure of the Singijeon, its technological sophistication, and the superior engineering of the Hwacha designed for precise projectile delivery. Background: The Strategic Importance of Singijeon in Joseon’s Military System The Singijeon was developed during the reign of King Sejong as a high-performance rocket weapon, a significant advancement from the earlier Gijeon rocket arrows. Initiated in 1448 (Sejong 30) at the request of General Kim Jong-seo t...
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