The light and shade of returning to Korea.

 The light and shade of returning to Korea.

King Sukjong.

In addition to the history researcher of the National History Compilation Committee,

Zoom in on Sookjong's image 1.

One of the important topics penetrating the history of the late Joseon Dynasty is the party dispute. It was a key factor in determining the direction of various phenomena ranging from state administration to ideological orientation and human relations such as fellowship and confusion.

The bias and the conflict resulting from it are close to human fate. And there are not only negative factors. One driving force behind development is difference and debate. A pure and consistent society is not far from tyranny totalitarianism.

Therefore, Joseon's party strife can be accepted as a natural phenomenon. The key question may be what factors such bias and conflict occurred and what processes and consequences led to.

In terms of political history, the word that summarizes King Sukjong's reign is 'Hwanguk'. The expression, meaning "change of political phase," accompanied by party replacement, policy change, and disposition of human life. A familiar topic related to Heebin Jang was a representative event that occurred in the process.

1. Personal information.

King Sukjong (1661-1720), the 19th king of Joseon Dynasty, is the only son of King Hyeonjong, and his mother is Queen Myeongseong, the daughter of Kim Woo-myeong, Cheongpungbuwon-gun. Hwi is Yi Sun, and the ruler is Myeongbo.

He was born on August 15, 1661, in Hoesujeon Hall of Gyeongdeokgung Palace, and was proclaimed as the Crown Prince in the New Year in 1667. On August 23, 1674, at the age of 13, he died at Jungbokjeon Hall in Gyeongdeokgung Palace after 46 years of reign, the longest period until then. It is enshrined in Myeongneung (located in Seoorung, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do).

King Sukjong had three queens leading to Queen Ingyeong, Queen Inhyeon, and Queen Inwon. However, they did not get a prince, and Heebin Jang and Sukbin Choi gave birth to princes who became King Gyeongjong and King Yeongjo, respectively. The complex conflict of the court, a characteristic of the reign, was a result closely related to these objective conditions.

2 Kyungshinhwanguk - The Losing of Men and the Appointment of Seoin (1680)

As mentioned earlier, the central event of Sukjongdae was returning home three times. According to the year's Ganji, the subjects of the incident, called Shin-sin (1680), Sukjong 6, Gisa (1689, Sukjong 15), Gapsulhwanguk (1694, Sukjong 20), were of course the king. This aspect shows that King Sukjong's royal authority was very powerful, but there are mixed views on the judgment and necessity of the case.

First, Gyeongsinhwanguk was an incident in which men were ousted and Seoin was appointed. The man had won the A-in Yesong, which took place in 1674 (the 15th year of King Hyeonjong's reign), and had taken control of the court. King Sukjong, who ascended the throne in the very year, was still young at the age of 13, so he continued to trust his major servants during his reign of King Bu. 

In addition, he appointed Oecheok centered on Kim Seok-ju and stayed close to Bokchang-gun, Bokseon-gun, and Bokpyeong-gun, which were called Sambok. They are the three sons of Inpyeongdaegun, the third son of King Injo, and Bokseongun was most promising.

In the early days of King Sukjong's reign, the male leader was Heo Jeok of Yeonguijeong Pavilion, and the central figure of Oecheok was Byeongjo Panseo Kim Seok-ju. It was in the 6th year of his reign (1680) that political affairs around these two axes changed rapidly. The superficial start was the profanity of Heo Jeok.

In March of that year, Heo Jeok held a feast to commemorate his grandfather Heo Jam's death, and when it rained that day, he brought and used the palace's Yuak (oiled tent) without permission. It would have been an act of believing in the status of Yeonguijeong and the trust of the king.

However, unexpected variables intervened, and the incident led to tremendous results. Sukjong also instructed Yeonguijeong to bring Yookak when it rained, but he was already angry when he learned that he had taken it. This is the case of the remains of the famous ruins (this case appears in Yasa, but is not recorded in the Annals).

Huge events are often triggered by accidental and trivial occasions. At that time, it is easy to observe the epidermis to directly connect such an opportunity to the fundamental cause. Shin Gyeong-hwan-guk should also be regarded as an event caused by a combination of Kim Seok-ju's intention to take control of the regime, various events that occurred in the process, and Sukjong's judgment formed through such a process.

The return of the country progressed rapidly. The first measure was the replacement of military power. King Sukjong appointed Kim Man-ki, the father-in-law of the state-king, as the training captain, Shin Yeo-cheol as Chongnyongsa, and Kim Ik-hoon as Suosa, and handed over military power to Seoin (March 28). Major government posts have also been replaced. Kim Soo-hang was appointed as Yeonguijeong, Jeong Ji-hwa as Jwauijeong, Nam Gu-man as the chief monk, and most of the three temples were replaced (April 3).

The incident that led to the destructive consequences of the return to Korea took place two days later. It is the so-called Sambokbyeon. As mentioned earlier, Sambok is Bokchang-gun, Bokseon-gun, and Bokpyeong-gun, and a complaint was received that Heo Gyeon, the grandson of Heo Jeok, colluded with them (especially Bokseon-gun) to decorate the role. It was a serious incident involving a man and his relatives.

The case was dealt with immediately. The two leaders, Bok Seon-gun and Heo Gyeon, were executed (April 12). Bokchang-gun was also killed and Bokpyeong-gun was exiled (April 26). The most important fact is that Heo Jeok and Yun Hue, the two key figures of the man, were killed (May 5 and May 20, respectively). 

Soon after, Yoo Hyuk-yeon, who took control of the military as a training captain and general loan officer, also received a poison (September 5). Less than three months after Sambok's mutation, the man suffered a severe blow in which most of the main figures were removed.

Jungkook naturally changed rapidly. The main government posts were replaced by Seoin. The king invited Song Si-yeol, the head of Seoin, to give the best courtesy (October 12). Coincidentally, the change in national marriage took place at a similar time. 

When Queen Ingyeong passed away in October 1680 (the 6th year of King Sukjong's reign), Min Yu-jung's daughter was beaten as Queen Inhyeon in May of the following year, and she was also from a representative Seoin family.

As a result, Seo-in dominated most of the national spirit and major government posts. This situation lasted for nearly 10 years.

3rd Knight Hwan Guk - Hee Bin Jang's appearance and Man's reign (1689)

The crack surrounded the crown prince's bookshelf. One of King Sukjong's biggest concerns at the time was that there was no latter son yet. The king was not even 30 years old until the return of the knight, but the special situation of the royal family increased the burden and impatience of the king.

However, the problem was soon solved. On October 27, 1688 (the 14th year of King Sukjong's reign), Jang of the cow (the latter Heebin Jang) finally gave birth to the prince (the latter Gyeongjong). The joy of King Sukjong, who was 27 years old, was extreme.

Such joy led to a rather hasty measure. In January of the following year, the prince was appointed as an atom and Jang was appointed to Heebin. The crown prince's book peak was such a significant event that it was called determining the national record (the basis of the country).

Seo-in, of course, strongly opposed it. On the surface, the reason was that the king and queen were still young and could produce enough princes, but the key reason was that Heebin Jang was close to men. Song Si-yeol, the leader of Seoin, opposed the king's intention head-on, saying that there is no such precedent in China.

King Sukjong carried out a surprise and massive purge again. First of all, on that very day, Song Si-yeol's government post was removed and expelled outside (other than Seoul), and replaced the public who did not impeach him (February 2). Major government posts such as appointing Kwon Dae-woon, Mok Rae-seon, and Kim Deok-won to Samjeongseung and Min Jong-do to Daesaheon were also replaced by men (February 10).

The main characters of Seoin were killed or punished. Kim Ik-hoon and Kim Soo-hang, who served as Yeonguijeong, were imprisoned or killed (March 11 and Yoon March 28, respectively), and Nam Gu-man was exiled (April 13). The identity of the previously punished major men was also achieved. Heo Jeok, Yun Hue, and Yoo Hyuk-yeon recovered their official works and sacrifices were held.

The most shocking measure for Seoin in the return of the knight was the expulsion of Yi Yi and Seong Hon from the tomb. March 18) and Song Si-yeol's envoy - The king made the sinner voluntarily take poison. It will be June 3rd). 

They were figures of the past and present that symbolized the West. In particular, Song Si-yeol's death in Jeongeup while being sent from exile is thought to be a measure that deeply shows Sukjong's political management method and personal psychology.

The king wrapped up the return by dealing with the royal issue, which was the cause of the incident. King Sukjong abolished Jungjeon Min as a Seoin and sent him out as a private house (May 2) and made Heebin Jang a queen and informed him of Jongmyo's resignation on May 13).

As a result, the national spirit and central government, which were dominated by Seoin, were replaced by men at once.

4-Gapsulhwanguk - Heebin Jang's abandoned monument and Seoin's re-retaking (1694).

The last return occurred in the middle of King Sukjong's The man took power by returning to power, but failed to show a suitable aspect for the ruling forces. There were no heavy substitutes like Heojeok and Yunhyu, and due to repeated experiences of returning to Korea, they consistently obeyed the king's will.

As the driver's return country did, the key factor of the sudden return country was also a problem with the court. At that time, an important change in the palace was that in April 1693 (the 19th year of King Sukjong's reign), the long-cherished Choi (the 19th year of King Sukbin's reign) was proclaimed and began to be favored. In other words, Jungjeon Jang's position was narrowed that much.

In 1694 (the 20th year of King Sukjong's reign), Gapsulhwanguk began as a high place. On March 29, Kim In and Seori Park Gwi-geun, who studied abroad, argued that Jang Hee-jae, the brother of Jungjeon Jang, tried to poison Sukui Choi.

The process and result after that were to reverse the return of the driver. First of all, Kim Ik-hoon, Kim Seok-ju, and Song Si-yeol were restored (April 3rd and 6th, respectively), and Yi Yi and Seong-hon were again engaged in Munmyo Shrine (June 23rd). Major men, including the Yeongui regime Daewoon, were expelled from government posts or punished.

The replacement of the heavy war, which was a key problem, was also immediately made. Jang was demoted to Heebin again, and Min returned to the middle ground (April 12). It is also worth remembering that Sukui Choi, who had been favored so far, produced the prince (the later King Yeongjo) shortly after (September 20).

The royal conflict over power ended tragically seven years later.

Queen Inhyeon died in 1701 (the 27th year of King Sukjong's reign), and it was revealed that Heebin Jang and her family had cursed the Queen through magic. King Sukjong immediately envoyed Jang and executed Jang Hee-jae (September 25).

After that, King Sukjong's reign ended with Seoin leading the way, although there was a conflict between Noron and Soron. However, as shown by Hwan-guk, who replaced the leading party at once, the most powerful person was Sukjong. He was a remarkable exception to the Gunyak Singang, a political characteristic of the late Joseon Dynasty. 

However, there were many aspects that important political changes were ultimately closely related to the royal conflict, and that emotional factors intervened and proceeded unexpectedly and violently. This is pointed out as an important part to consider when evaluating the reign of King Sukjong.

5. Slits and limits.

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Neungmyeongneung Royal Tomb of King Sukjong, the 19th king of the Joseon Dynasty, Queen Inhyeon, the 1st queen, and Queen Inwon, the 2nd queen. The tombs of King Sukjong and Queen Inhyeon are arranged side by side, and the last tomb of Queen Inwon is on the hill on the right. Located in Deokyang-gu, Goyang-si, Gyeonggi-do. Historic Site No. 198. <Source: Cultural Heritage Administration website>

During the 46-year-long reign, King Sukjong made several achievements. First of all, it is noteworthy that the Daedong Law was expanded to Gyeongsang-do (1677) and Hwanghae-do (1717). It was also an important policy to survey and measure the land subject to taxation in Gangwon-do (1709) and Samnam (1720) and to measure the land across the country except for parts of the northwest region.

The expansion of the main player is also a meaningful achievement. Sangpyeong Tongbo, which has been used since January 1678 (the 4th year of King Sukjong's reign), was distributed as a representative currency in the late Joseon Dynasty. These policies are evaluated to have contributed significantly to the economic and commercial development of the late Joseon Dynasty.

Several changes have also appeared in defense and military issues. First of all, the Oh Gun-young system was established by integrating the training annex and Jeong Chocheong to establish Geumwi-young. This was a measure that completed the reorganization of the military system promoted after the Imjin War. 

It was also a meaningful achievement (1704) to equalize the Gunpo burden of Yangjeong, which was not equal to 1~4 fils by preparing Gunpo Station Jeolmok. Bukhansanseong Fortress was greatly renovated to strengthen the defense of the city (1712).

They also actively interacted with Japan. Telecommunications companies were dispatched (1682, 1711) and the ordinance of the Japanese Bank used in Waegwan trade was finalized. In particular, it is noteworthy that the Japanese were guaranteed a ban on entry to Ulleungdo Island by the shogunate (1696-1698).

One characteristic of the late Joseon Dynasty was that the justification and loyalty were emphasized as Neo-Confucianism intensified. It was a representative result of installing Daebodan Altar in Changdeokgung Palace to repay the grace of the name and identifying the victims of various sensitive events. King Danjong, the Six Martyrs, and Crown Prince Sohyeon's reinstatement were representative examples of the latter.

The southern snow of Seowon was also a phenomenon close to this trend. During King Sukjong's reign, more than 300 Confucian academies were newly established and 131 were royally chartered, and it was pointed out that there were positive aspects of local academic promotion, but there were more negative aspects that it became a hotbed for party disputes and economic privileges.

Certain criticisms have also been raised in King Sukjong's rule. The most representative part is related to the validity and effectiveness of returning home. In the pre-modern monarchy, the overall political change following the king's dogma existed in the principle of its identity. 

However, it is pointed out that the return of King Sukjong was essentially more due to the political strife of the court than to the confrontation of policies, and the method was too sudden, and the result was also destructive and consuming.

It was also an important limitation that the problem of Yangyeok (airspace imposed on Yangin Jangjeong), the biggest nuisance at the time, could not be solved for a long time. Hopoje, which imposes Gunpo on all guardianships, was eventually frustrated by the opposition of the noblemen.

Finally, it is worth adding that Jang Gil-san, a widely known thief, was active at this time. The Janggilsan Mountain group first appeared in Hwanghae-do, but moved to Pyeongannam-do around 1692 (the 18th year of King Sukjong's reign). 

The court ordered the observers and soldiers to arrest them and bet a lot of prize money, but they were not caught. Seongho Yi Ik, along with Hong Gil-dong and Im Kkeok-jeong, cited him as one of the three major thieves of Joseon.

Looking at the party strife in the late Joseon Dynasty, I think that the specific scale of each case should be accurately verified. Comparing it with the political purge (representatively a series of historical paintings) of the early Joseon Dynasty will be an important criterion for assessing the overall characteristics of the two eras.