YANGBAN


Meaning of YANGBAN in English

(Korean; " two groups ")

Highest social class of the Korean

It consisted of both munban (civilian officials) and muban (military officials). Though the term originated in the {{link=Koryo">Koryŏ dynasty (935–1392), it was only later applied to the highest of four social classes. The yangban were granted land and stipends and were the only social class permitted to take the civil service examinations. The yangban system was discarded in 1894.

Britannica English dictionary.      Английский словарь Британика.