Jung-sook, also spelled Jeong-sook or Jong-suk, is a Korean female given name. It is an alternate transcription of the Korean Hangul 정숙, which is the Korean pronunciation of the Sino-Korean name Jeong-suk. The name has been widely used in South Korea, with its highest popularity occurring in the mid-20th century.
Etymology and Meaning
The name Jung-sook is composed of two hanja (Sino-Korean characters) elements. The first element, often depending on the intended meaning. One common choice is 정 (貞), meaning “virtuous, chaste, loyal,” or 정 (正) meaning “right, proper, correct.” The second element is 숙 (淑), meaning “good, pure, virtuous, charming.” As is typical in Korean naming conventions, other hanja combinations are also possible, allowing for variant shades of meaning. The name thus conveys traditional virtues such as chastity, propriety, and purity.
Historical and Cultural Significance
According to South Korean government data, Jung-sook was the fourth-most popular name for newborn girls in 1940, rising to second place by 1950. This peak during the mid-20th century reflects the cultural importance of Confucian virtues at that time, as Korean society placed a high value on female virtue and modesty. The name declined in use in later decades as naming trends shifted.
Notable Bearers
Several notable women bear this name in its various transcriptions. One of the most historically significant is Kim Jong-suk (1917/1919–1949), a Korean anti-Japanese guerrilla and the first wife of North Korean leader Kim Il-sung. Another is Kim Jung-sook (born 1954), a South Korean classical vocalist who became First Lady of South Korea as the wife of President Moon Jae-in. In the arts, Oh Jeong-suk (1935–2008) was a renowned South Korean pansori musician. Two Olympic medalists bear the name: Yun Jeong-suk (born 1966) and Lee Jeong-sook (born 1971), both fencers. Other figures include Lim Jeong-sook (born 1972), a field hockey player, and Hwang Jung-suk, a novelist in the given extract, completing historical independence activist Ho Jong-suk (1908–1991).
International Transcriptions
The Romanization of the name varies. Common systems produce Jung-sook (often using the Revised Romanization), Jeong-sook, or Jong-suk. The variation underscores the transitions in Korean romanization over time, from older systems to current standards.
- Meaning: “virtuous, pure” (贞淑 or 正淑)
- Origin: Korean (Sino-Korean)
- Type: Given name
- Usage Regions: South Korea, North Korea
Sources: Wikipedia — Jung-sook