Mongminsimseo (Admonitions for Governing the People)

One of the three books on politics and law written by Jeong Yak-yong (1762-1836), this book contains guidelines set by the author to help local administrators improve their services for the people. It was one of the most influential guides written on governance of the people by local administrative chiefs during late Joseon, the others being The Essentials on Governing the People (Imgwanjeongyo), Prescriptions on the Duty of Shepherding the People (Mongmindaebang), and The Essentials for the Government of a County (Chigunyogyeol). The book by Jeong Yak-yong differs from the rest, however, in that it provides detailed, systematic instructions by focusing on the duties of the six key departments of a local government, whereas the others' descriptions are brief and largely focused on the seven duties of local administrative chiefs. The book is now widely regarded as one of the greatest of its kind published in East Asia in pre-modern times.