Choi Seok-jeong and the World's First 9x9 Orthogonal Latin Magic Square: A Forgotten Genius of Joseon Korea
Choi Seok-jeong and the World's First 9x9 Orthogonal Latin Magic Square: A Forgotten Genius of Joseon Korea In the annals of global mathematics, the name Choi Seok-jeong (Choi Seokjeong; 개명: 최석정, 1646–1715) deserves far more recognition. This brilliant polymath of the Joseon Dynasty was not only a high-ranking official and a political reformer during the reign of King Sukjong, but also one of the world's earliest pioneers in advanced mathematical structures, most notably magic squares. Who Was Choi Seok-jeong? Choi Seok-jeong Choi Seok-jeong was a distinguished scholar, politician, and mathematician in late Joseon Korea. Though originally a member of the Westerners (Seo-in) political faction, he bravely opposed a fabricated treason case and aligned with the more moderate Southerners (So-ron). Beyond politics, Choi devoted his life to scholarly pursuits, with a profound focus on mathematics, astronomy, and philosophy. His work exemplified the philosophy of "silhak" (...