Im Yunjidang

*1721 (Wonju, South Korea)
†1793

Im Yunjidang  was a Korean Neo-Confucian philosopher from the Chosŏn dynasty (1392–1910). She was born in Wonju, Gangwon Province into the Pungcheon Im clan (풍천 임씨, 豊川 任氏) to Im Jeok who served as a judge in Hamheung. Her brother supporte her in her academic interest.

In her writings, she discussed her cosmic view on the supremacy of gi (energy) over i (reason) and human relations based on the principle of equality. She also discussed the Four Beginnings (benevolence, righteousness, etiquette and wisdom) and the Seven Emotions (joy, anger, grief, terror, love, hate and desire).

In the end, and despite the gender bias of the Confucian society, a collection of the written thoughts of Im Yunjidang was compiled and published in 1796, three years after her death, by her brother-in-law Sin Gwang-wu and her younger brother, Im Jeong-ju. This Yunjidang Yugo has been handed down to nowadays.

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