Enlightenment thoughts in Vietnam and Korea: Focusing on the thoughts of renovated education by Nguyen Truong To (1830-1871) and Yu Gil-Jun (1856-1914)

Abstract

The 19th century was a significant period of history for Vietnam and Korea when numerous challenges ignited by the West had become more visible and critical. To prolong the rule of the royal family, Vietnam and Joseon decided to shun the gateway to the outside world. In such a context, Dai Nam’s and Joseon’s intellectuals became alert and commenced to seek for optimal resolutions to revive their countries’ vitality. The authors selected the two most important thinkers from Dai Nam and Joseon: Nguyen Truong To (1830-1871) and Yu Gil-jun (1856-1914). These two ideologists were born right prior to the fall of their states. Both exhibited an acute interpretation of the current situations which were happening within the entire Sino-sphere; hence, strongly enunciated remedies for their own country. Specifically, the authors try to illuminate the commonality and disparity between the two typical intellectuals who were born in the nineteenth century in each respective country to provide a keen insight into the struggles of Dai Nam and Joseon’s adaptation in the process of modernisation in East Asia.