| Korean name | |
| Hangul | 설총 |
|---|---|
| Hanja | 薛聰 |
| Revised Romanization | Seol Chong |
| McCune–Reischauer | Sŏl Ch'ong |
| Art name | |
| Hangul | 빙월당 |
| Hanja | 氷月堂 |
| Revised Romanization | Bingwoldang |
| McCune–Reischauer | Pingwŏltang |
| Courtesy name | |
| Hangul | 총지 |
| Hanja | 聰智 |
| Revised Romanization | Chongji |
| McCune–Reischauer | Ch'ongji |
Seol Chong (650 – 730 AD) was a leading scholar of theUnified Silla period from theGyeongju Seol clan. He studiedConfucian writings and the related Chinese classics. He is also known by thecourtesy nameChongji and thepen nameBingwoldang.
Seol was the son of the prominent Buddhist figureWonhyo and the Silla princess Yoseok, the daughter ofKing Muyeol. He was of head-rank six in Silla'sbone rank system. An account of his life is found in theSamguk Sagi, yeoljeon (biographies), vol. 6 and his achievements are mentioned as well in theSamguk Yusa's account ofWonhyo (vol. 5).
Seol Chong is best remembered for regularizing theidu and gugyeol scripts, which were the first systems for representing theKorean language inChinese characters. The idu script had been in use previous to Seol Chong, but had lacked rigorous principles. Early in his career Seol is also credited with composing a short Confucian parable on kingship entitledThe Warning of the Flower King (화왕계/花王戒) for King Sinmun of Silla. This parable is either repeated or paraphrased in theSamguk Sagi, and influenced later writers of theJoseon period. A typically Confucian text, it criticizes monarchs for valuing pleasure-seeking over righteous rule.
Seol Chong is sometimes regarded as the progenitor of the GyeongjuSeol lineage. However, opinions on this differ, since the Seol family name is found as far back as the foundation of Silla.
He is also one of eighteen Korean Confucian sages who have been enshrined in the Korean NationalConfucian shrine.