Корей корольдік ғылыми орталығы: Чихёнчон

Royal research institute during the Korean Joseon Dynasty

The Hall of Worthies, or Jiphyeonjeon (; hangul=집현전), was a royal research institute set up by Sejong the Great of the Korean Joseon Dynasty in March 1420. Set up during the beginning of his reign, King Sejong staffed the Hall of Worthies with talented scholars and instructed them to conduct a variety of research activities to strengthen his rule and the nation. The Hall of Worthies is known for its role in compiling the Hunminjeongeum, the original treatise on Hangul.

The Hall of Worthies originally served an advisory role to the king, but King Sejong restructured and expanded its role into an academic research institute. During the early part of King Sejong's reign, the Hall of Worthies served as a legislative system, but its role eventually grew to hold discussions regarding Joseon's national policy. The Hall of Worthies would also later act as an organ of the press.

The workplace of the scholars from the Hall of Worthies was located in the Gwollaegaksa, a series of government offices located in Gyeongbokgung Palace. It is assumed that the Gwolaegaksa was located around where the current building of Sujeongjeon Hall resides. There used to be several buildings at Gwollaegaksa, but Sujeongjeon Hall is the only building that remains in well preserved condition.

The Hall of Worthies participated in various scholarly endeavors, one of which was compiling the Hunminjeongeum. Hangul was personally created by Sejong the Great, and revealed by him in 1443. Afterward, King Sejong wrote the preface to the Hunminjeongeum, explaining the origin and purpose of Hangul and providing brief examples and explanations, and then tasked the Hall of Worthies to write detailed examples and explanations. Besides contributing to the Hunminjeongeum and publishing the Samgang Haengshildo, King Sejong sponsored books such as “The Songs of the Flying Dragons” (Yongbieocheonga) and eulogies of his ancestors, the Hall of Worthies was involved in the publication of numerous scholarly and scientific writings, which contributed to the reputation of Sejong's reign as the golden age of Korean culture.

When Ming envoys came to Joseon in 1450 to pronounce the ascension of Emperor Jingdi, members of both the Hall of Worthies and Ming envoys exchanged poems in a tradition now called Hwanghwajip. The Ming envoys were led by Ni Qian, who befriended Hall of Worthies scholars Jeong Inji, Seong Sammun, and Shin Sukju. Both sides would exchange poems several times during the visit. This continual exchange of poems and other tributary gifts led to a strong relationship between the Joseon and the Ming until the Ming’s fall in 1644.

The Hall of Worthies was disbanded by King Sejo after many of its members (notably the six martyred ministers) plotted to assassinate Sejo in 1456, following the latter's usurpation of the throne from King Danjong. However, a similar organization, the Hongmungwan , Office of Special Advisors, continued much of the same work, though without enjoying the same prestige or output it had during the earlier period.