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Joseon was under confucianism ideals. It came from China. 이황 and 이이 was one of the most famous confucians in Korea. 이황 was compared with 주희, the Chinese founder of Neo-Confucianism. And 이이 suggested that Joseon should train 100,000 soldiers against invasions of foreign power. They were officers, and there was the step to be the officer. First, they needed to study hard like study at 서당 and 향교. 서당 is the private village school and it is elementary education with provide initial training. But 향교 is Provincial schools run by the government and for passing the 과거, national civil service examinations, and it is the school only for the children of the yangban, ruling elite upper class. Secondly, They had to take the first Civil Examination. The people who pass this test called 생원 or 진사. They could have the chance to apply for the civil service examination, '과거'. But, before taking the 과거, they needed to go to the 성균관. 성균관 was the highest public institution located in Seoul. When they graduate 성균관, they could take civil service examinations. When they pass the test, they could be high ranking officers. But usually, only 33 people passed the examination. Those 33 people were ranked differently according to their scores. The first three were called 갑과. The next seven were called 을과. The rest were all called 병과. And the 1st prize is 장원급제 and 종 6품. The 2nd prize is 방안급제 with 종 7품. The 3rd prize is 탐화급제 with 종 8품. And 을과 and 병과 is just 급제 with 종 9품. So, I went to 성균관 university to talk and learn more about them. And it was little bit interesting, but there was no one but 2 or 3 people, so I feel little bit lonely at there.
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