Arctic Dasan Station
Meaning of the Dasan
Start at the end of the world
- Dasan (pen name) Jeong Yag-Yong (1762-1836) was the scholar who comprehensively compiled vast works of practical science, so called 'Sirhak', of the Joseon Dynasty (1392-1910). He has heavily influenced almost every part of academic learning including politics, economy, history, geography, literature, music, philosophy, medical science, education, military science, natural science, etc. Thus the extent of Dasan's scholarly works is very deep and broad. He also wrote many books with deep insight and developed some pulleys and wagons, which were named 'Geojunggi' and 'Yoohyeong geo,' to construct a fortress(1796). The fortress, named 'Suwon Hwaseong,' is widely famous for its architecture and was designated by UNESCO.
- Dasan served in many high ranking posts demonstrating himself as a promising young government official due to his distinguished talent. Most of Dasan's major and important works were conceptualized and written.
- Dasan also had a deep interest in natural science and left behind many accomplishments. As a scientific mind should be based on the idea of rationality, he rejected everything that is irrational. He developed relatively accurate theories about the cause of tides and on the phenomena of nearsightedness and farsightedness. It is certainly true that Dasan's contributions in natural science are no comparison with the achievements of modern science while much of his arguments incorporate western theories.
- Although Dasan is no longer with us, his ideas and spirit still lives on to this day. Dasan is a worldly renowned scholar and the greatest thinker ever seen in Korea. He put his nation and state first before his private honor throughout his time. So, we name the first Korean Arctic Research Station Dasan to recognize Dasan's great achievements in science, philosophy and society.