JEONG YAK-YONG 1762-1836
Usually remembered by his pen name Dasan, Jeong Yak-yong was one of the greatest thinkers of the Joseon Dynasty. He passed the state exam to become a high-ranking official at the age of 28 and was a trusted advisor and confidant of King Jeongjo, who asked him to design Hwaseong Fortress. In 1801, Yak-yong was accused of associating with Catholics and was subsequently exiled by his rivals to Gangjin, in the South Jeolla province, for the next 18 years. However, Yak-yong wrote a number of his major works while in exile, focusing on topics such as politics, ethics and reform.
Image source: wiki/gongu