In the revised edition
Introducing 『Jeongseon Mokminsimseo』
With the publication of a completely revised edition of the 『Translated Commentary on Mokminsimseo』
Preface

Part 1, Assignment, Article 6

1.
Received an appointment
2.
Managing the incoming governor
3.
Say goodbye to the court
4.
Inauguration procession
5.
inauguration
6.
Start working

Part 2, Article 6 of the Law of the Self

1.
Good posture
2.
honest mind
3.
Running the household
4.
Rejecting requests
5.
Save money
6.
I like to give

Part 3, Public Service, Article 6

1.
Spread the gospel
2.
Keep the law
3.
polite social interactions
4.
report
5.
Offering tribute
6.
Things to be taken out

Part 4, Article 6, Love for the People

1.
Supporting the elderly
2.
Caring for children
3.
Relief for the poor
4.
Help the injured
5.
Caring for the sick
6.
Save the disaster

Chapter 5, Article 6 of the Clerical Code

1.
Police crackdown
2.
Leading the officials
3.
People writing
4.
Talent Recommendation
5.
Checking the situation
6.
Performance evaluation system

Part 6, Article 6 of the Household Code

1.
pruning
2.
tax law
3.
Grain exchange ledger
4.
family register
5.
Make the labor fair
6.
Farming recommendations

Part 7, Article 6 of the Code of Etiquette

1.
ancestral rites
2.
Hospitality
3.
Teach the people
4.
Promoting education
5.
Distinction of status
6.
Make sure to study hard for the past.

Part 8, Military Code, Article 6

1.
Selection of military service obligees
2.
military training
3.
Weapon repair
4.
Martial arts recommended
5.
How to respond to change
6.
Block out the screams

Part 9, Criminal Code, Article 6

1.
To hear the lawsuit
2.
Criminal case verdict
3.
Use punishment carefully
4.
Take pity on the prisoners
5.
Prohibition of violence among the people
6.
Remove damage from thieves

Part 10, Article 6 of the Code of Engineering

1.
forest
2.
Repair business
3.
Repair of government building
4.
Contraction and repair of the castle
5.
road name
6.
Crafting of objects

Chapter 11, Section 6, Relief of the Exiles

1.
Preparing relief supplies
2.
Encourage donations
3.
Detailed plan
4.
Method of implementation
5.
Measures to supplement people's livelihood
6.
finish

Chapter 12 Customs, Article 6

1.
Replacement of recipient
2.
Returning luggage
3.
Petition for the reappointment of the leader
4.
Petition to forgive the leader
5.
Death during the reign of the leader
6.
A great leader leaves a mark on others even after he has passed away.

Commentary: The Mindset of a Shepherd Who Saves the People / Kim Bo-reum
supplement
Local administrative organization of the Joseon Dynasty
Joseon Dynasty's penal system

An immortal scholar and a timeless intellectual
The Virtues of a Leader Learned from Dasan

『Mokminsimseo』 is Dasan's representative work written while in exile in Gangjin. It contains the principles, guidelines, and details that local officials must know in order to govern the people.
In this book, Dasan vividly demonstrates the aspect of a Silhak scholar who delves into the realities and practices of the time based on a wealth of facts and logic, finds the causes of ills, and devises remedies.
『Jeongseon Mokminsimseo』 selected passages from the original text that contained Dasan's thoughts and insightful views on the times.


The reason why Dasan's insight contained in the "Mokminsimseo" still shines today is probably because the concerns he immersed himself in as a shepherd are in line with the attitude that public officials should have even in modern times.
Strictly speaking, all professionals in modern society can be said to be public officials, as they are given a social role in the community in some form.
In particular, Dasan discusses the important role of the shepherd as a leader.
Starting with the six rules to be observed upon taking office and covering everything to do after stepping down from office, he unfolds the concerns and practical guidelines that a leader should have on various levels, from the minor instructions such as not purchasing new clothes and saddles when first taking office to the political philosophy that the most important things in official life are justice, law, and fear of the people.
Because they are based on fundamental concerns, they transcend time and are extremely practical for us today.

『Mokminsimseo』 not only provides an interesting historical document that allows us to understand the administrative organization of the Joseon Dynasty, but also continuously raises questions about today.
As time passes and everyone becomes the master of their country, what can we learn from the countless characters and anecdotes featured in "Mokminsimseo"? Are we truly exercising the authority bestowed upon us by society with the same mindset that Jeong Yak-yong emphasized? As long as "Mokminsimseo" transcends time and awakens living intellect and social consciousness, it will remain an immortal classic worthy of our reading.


An authority on Dasan studies, compiled and edited by the Dasan Research Association
A new future opened by the wisdom of Dasan

You can find it in 『Jeongseon Mokminsimseo』 and in the translation by Dasan Research Society.
The Dasan Research Society began as a small group reading original texts and, through 50 years of research, had a huge impact on establishing the history of Korean Silhak.
Even as its members suffered under the Yushin and new military dictatorships, the Dasan Research Association continued to read and compile its achievements into the publication of the 『Translated Commentary on Mokmin Simseo』 (revised edition 2018). Among them, the 『Jeongseon Mokmin Simseo』, which selected the core contents and compiled them into a single volume, has earned the trust of readers more than any other edition of 『Mokmin Simseo』 due to its modern writing style and translation.


The 'Wisdom of Dasan' edition does not simply shed light on past writings; it provides practical teachings and inspiration to all of us living in the modern era.
Dasan's insight and humane side serve as invaluable guidance for those contemplating true leadership and the right kind of human nature in today's complex and rapidly changing society, and remind us of the fundamental principles necessary to promote harmony and progress throughout society.
The reason why Dasan's wisdom is still valid and necessary for us today is because the utopia he dreamed of is the future we are creating today.
I hope that through the two books, 『Jeongseon Mokminsimseo』 and 『Letters from Exile』, we can have the opportunity to reflect on what is necessary to refine ourselves and establish a proper community.