Buan County in North Jeolla Province has announced the publication of a modern Korean translation of the first volume of "Bangye Surok," a seminal work by Yu Hyong-won, a prominent Joseon Dynasty scholar and philosopher.

"Bangye Surok Vol. 1" is the only commercially available translation of the entire 26-volume work, focusing on the first eight volumes that deal with land systems. Yu Hyong-won authored "Bangye Surok" over a 20-year period while living in Ubandong, Buan, following the devastating Imjin War in 1636. The book is considered a cornerstone of the Silhak, or practical learning, movement in Joseon Korea.

In the book, Yu Hyong-won criticizes the concentration of land ownership in the hands of a few and advocates for land reform. This translation project was supported by North Jeolla Province and Buan County and led by the Ikseonjae Research Institute. The goal is to revive the spirit of Silhak and promote the values of reform and change in contemporary society.

Buan County and the Ikseonjae Research Institute plan to continue translating the remaining volumes of "Bangye Surok," including sections on education, government officials, direct governance, salaries, and military systems.

"We hope that this translation will serve as an opportunity to reexamine Yu Hyong-won's reformist ideas and reevaluate his historical legacy," said a Buan County official. "We will continue to pursue various projects to honor Yu Hyong-won's legacy."

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