A Comparative Study of the People-oriented Thought of Su Shi and Chong Yagyong

The idea of “People-oriented Thoughts” (民本思想), as an important part of Confucianism, has had a profound influence on both Chinese and Korean literary works. This paper selects two prominent literary figures from China and Korea—Su Shi (苏轼) and Chong Yagyong (丁若镛)—to conduct a comparative study of “ People-oriented Thoughts” as reflected in their works. There are many similarities in” People-oriented Thoughts” reflected in the works of Su Shi and Chong Yagyong. Both of them came from official families, had a deep understanding of Confucian classics from an early age, and were naturally influenced by the Confucian idea of “benefiting the world” (达济天下). After taking official positions, both were faced with the “new-old struggle” and encountered political conflicts. Unfortunately, they were dismissed from their positions and even exiled to various places. However, these experiences allowed them to enter the lives of the common people. During their time as local officials, their “People-oriented Thoughts”was put into practice. At the same time, there are differences in their “People-oriented Thoughts”, as they lived in different countries and eras, and their personal understanding of Confucian culture varied. Thus, the expression of the “People-oriented Thoughts”in their works also has its own characteristics. Literary works serve as a “mirror” reflecting the times, and works from different periods reflect the cultural features of their respective eras. By comparing the “People-oriented Thoughts” in the works of Su Shi and Chong Yagyong, one can explore the cultural differences between China and Korea, thus deepening the understanding of the cultures of both countries.