Cho Sik (Korean: 조식; Hanja: 曺植; July 10, 1501 – February 21, 1572) was a Korean philosopher, poet, and politician during the Joseon period. He was a Neo-Confucian scholar who had a major influence on the Northerners in the Joseon Dynasty factional politics.
Cho Sik was born in Samga-hyeon, Gyeongsang Province (present-day Samga-myeon, Hapcheon-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do) in 1501 and died in 1572. After failing the civil service examination at the late age of 37, he lived as a hermit, devoting himself to scholarly research and teaching disciples. As his scholarly reputation grew, he was repeatedly recommended for government posts, but he declined all offers. Instead, he frequently submitted petitions criticizing the abuses and corruption stemming from the king's relatives' political maneuvering and demanding reforms.
His disciples; including Jeong In-hong, Choi Yeong-gyeong, and Jeong Gu; formed the Nammyeong School (남명학파; 南冥學派), which became the core of the Northern faction during the reign of King Gwanghaegun. The Nammyeong School strove to implement Cho's scholarly emphasis on practical application in real-world politics.
Alongside Yi Hwang (1501–1570), they are regarded as forming the twin pillars of Joseon Neo-Confucianism (성리학; 性理學) in the southern province. In contrast, Yi Hwang's disciples became deeply immersed in the theory of li and qi (이기론; 理氣論) in Neo-Confucianism.
Cho Sik's courtesy name was Geonjung (건중; 楗仲 meaning 'strong and upright'), and his art name was Nammyeong (남명; 南冥 meaning 'southern sea'). His father, Cho Ŏnhyŏng (조언형; 曺彦亨), was an officer at the Office of Foreign Affairs Documents (승문원; 承文院), and his mother was Lady Yi, daughter of Yi Guk, a prominent figure in the Sancheong region, from the Incheon Yi clan.
Born in 1501 in Togol, Samga County, Gyeongsang Province, he moved to Seoul with his father between the ages of four and seven. He subsequently travelled to various regions following his father's postings, primarily residing in Seoul until his mid-twenties.
During this time, he formed a close friendship with the neighbouring brothers Yi Yun-gyeong and Yi Jun-gyeong, who would later become high-ranking officials. They studied under the same teacher.
At the age of 18, he moved to the foot of Mt. Bukaksan and formed a lifelong friendship with Seong Un. He was deeply upset by the execution of Cho Kwangjo (1482–1520) during the Third Literati Purge of 1519 (기묘사화; 己卯士禍) and the exile of his uncle, Cho Yeon-gyeong.
For the next seven to eight years, he devoted himself to reading at a temple near Seoul and took the civil service examinations. He passed the preliminary examination at the age of 22, but failed the final examination. At 26, he mourned his father's death and returned to his hometown. After completing the three-year mourning period, he continued to read Chinese classics and enjoyed making friends and engaging in discussions on Neo-Confucianism. His wife's family were renowned as wealthy landowners in Gimhae. With their support, he achieved financial stability, enabling him to devote himself entirely to his studies.
Hermit scholar fostering disciples
At the age of 37, he took the civil service exam at his mother's urging, but he failed. He then abandoned the exams, choosing to live a life detached from official positions and focusing his efforts on scholarly research and cultivating virtue instead. However, as his reputation as a scholar grew, he was recommended for a government post in 1538 by prominent figures such as Yi Ŏnjŏk (1491–1553), the Governor of Gyeongsang-do. He declined the appointment and refused Lee's request for a meeting, promising to meet at a later date.
In 1545, when he turned 45, the Eulsa Literati Purge (을사사화; 乙巳士禍) brought calamity upon his close associates. He lamented the world and withdrew further still. Coinciding with the death of his mother, he returned to his hometown to mourn. After completing the mourning rites, he established a Confucian academy in his hometown of Togol (토골; 兎洞) and lectured on Neo-Confucianism.
In 1553, when Cho Sik declined a post in the central government offered to him by the court, Yi Hwang sent him a letter urging him to accept the position and suggesting that they write to each other. They exchanged three or four letters thereafter.
The following year, aged 55, Cho was appointed Magistrate of Dangseong County. However, he submitted a letter of resignation to King Myeongjong, who had ascended the throne at a young age, urging him to guard against the political involvement of his maternal relatives. Cho cautioned the king against referring to his mother, Queen Dowager Munjeong, as a 'lonely woman in the palace', and implored him to focus on stabilizing the nation and restoring public trust amid the crisis.
His upright and critical spirit was long praised by later generations. He then submitted a resignation petition known as the Danseong Resignation Petition (사직소; 辭職疏) and returned to his hometown.
Around this time, prominent figures such as Jeong In-hong and Park Je-hyeon began studying under him. In 1561, he left Togol and moved to Sancheong in Gyeongsang Province, from where he could see the peak of Jirisan Mountain, Cheonwangbong (천왕봉; 天王峯). Admiring his reputation, scholars flocked not only from nearby regions, but also from Seoul. Among them were individuals who would go on to make their mark on history, including Choi Hwang (최황; 崔滉; 1529-1603) and Kwak Chaeu (1552–1617).
Life-risking petitions for reform
The Danseong Petition is just one example of the many times that Cho risked his life to petition the king for political reform and stability for the people.