Korea's 'Wise Mother' Chosen as Face Of New Currency
Korean website describes Shin Saimdang as "the best example of motherhood in Korean history", local women's rights group responds that Korean women nowadays are highly capable and educated, the idea of 'wise mother and good wife' holds them down.
South Korea's central bank chose the face of Korean motherhood as the first woman to be featured on its banknotes, Shin Saimdang, known for raising a famed Confucian scholar and having a deft hand in painting, will grace the new 50,000 won ($55) note when it debuts in early 2009, the Bank of Korea said. But women's rights groups say the selection only reinforces sexist stereotypes.
South Korea's central bank chose the face of Korean motherhood as the first woman to be featured on its banknotes, Shin Saimdang, known for raising a famed Confucian scholar and having a deft hand in painting, will grace the new 50,000 won ($55) note when it debuts in early 2009, the Bank of Korea said. But women's rights groups say the selection only reinforces sexist stereotypes.
Shin, whose nickname is "wise mother," gave birth to the 16th-century scholar Yi I, also known by his pen name Yulgok. She is celebrated for placing her son on the path to fame.
A paper on a government Web site describes Shin as "the best example of motherhood in Korean history," while the central bank said she was selected "to promote gender equality and women's participation in society."
Women's rights groups acknowledge Shin as an important figure but have been pushing for other female candidates, who have risen to positions of power and respect in a male-dominated society, to be placed on the new note.
"Although women nowadays are highly capable and educated, the idea of 'wise mother and good wife' holds them down," said Kwon Hee-jung, secretary general of the women's rights group.
More than a dozen women's rights groups plan to protest against the bank's decision.
Yulgok's face is already on the 5,000 won note. Shin will appear on the second-highest valued note after the new 100,000 bill is also issued in 2009.
($1=905.5 Won)
Source: Reuters
About Sin Saimdang:
Hangul 신사임당Hanja 申師任堂
Sin Saimdang (1504-1551) was a Korean artist and calligraphist, and the mother of the Confucian scholar Yulgok. She is often held up as a model of Confucian ideals. Her respectful nickname was Eojin Eomeoni (어진 어머니; "Wise Mother"). With her help, Yulgok became the respectable scholar.
About Yi I:
이이 (李珥)Pen name
율곡 (栗谷)
Yi I (December 26, 1536-1584) was one of the two most prominent Korean Confucian scholars of the Joseon Dynasty, the other being his older contemporary, Yi Hwang (Toegye). Yi I is often referred to by his pen name Yulgok ("Chestnut valley").
He was a child prodigy who knew Chinese script at the age of three and composed poems in Classical Chinese before he had reached his seventh birthday. By the age of seven, he had finished his lessons in the Confucian Classics, and he passed the Civil Service literary examination at the age of 13.
At the age of 29, Yi I passed a higher Civil Service examination—with full marks—and he started government service.
Yi I temporarily renounced the world by secluding himself in the Diamond Mountain following his mother's death when he was 36.
He authored "The Essentials of Confucianism" in 1576, which was considered to be a most valuable book, showing examples for a good Confucian life.
Source: Wikipedia
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