1799년(정조 23) 초계문신 고식과강(故寔課講)의 성격과 특징

Abstract

Gosik(故寔) is a style of writing that begins by presenting a classical anecdote(故事) recorded in Confucian classics or history books, and develops the writer’s academic or political views related to it. Dissatisfied with the composition-focused training of the Chogye Munsin, King Jeongjo introduced Gosik into the evaluation of Chogye Munsin in 1799 as one of the solutions to address this issue. He expected that by implementing Gosik, the scholars would break away from their obsession with ornate writing style and instead devote themselves to the practical learning necessary for state administration. In accordance with King Jeongjo’s directive, the Kyujanggak compiled and submitted the Regulations on the Gosik Examination for Chogye Munsin. The Gosik evaluation was conducted in such a way that the Chogye Munsin scholars selected a classical anecdote from sources such as the Confucian classics, history records, Neo-Confucian texts, or state precedents(國朝故事), and composed a written article expressing their own views on the chosen topic. And then King Jeongjo personally reviewed these submissions and issued bidap(批答), written responses containing his evaluations and comments. King Jeongjo and the Kyujanggak initially planned to apply Gosik to the chinsi(親試), a composition-based royal examination. But in practice it was implemented within the gwagang(課講), the lecture and discussion sessions. This shift suggests a partial retreat from Jeongjo’s original intention to elevate the role of lectures within the Chogye Munsin educational system. The Gukjogosa Gosik(國朝故事故寔) is a form of writing that develops critical perspectives on current state affairs based on historical anecdotes related to the governance, policies, institutions, and the words and actions of major scholars and officials under successive kings of the Joseon dynasty. Distinguished by its focus on domestic historical precedents, this genre of Gosik carried a particularly strong political character compared to other types. Through their Gukjogosa Gosik submissions, the Chogye Munsin scholars presented their views on fundamental principles of governance, specific institutions and policies, and issues related to public welfare. Furthermore, when they identified problems or abuses in existing systems or in the modes of governance, they did not hesitate to criticize them strongly and demand reforms, even if the target of their criticism was King Jeongjo himself. In his bidap(批答) to the Gukjogosa Gosik submissions, King Jeongjo highly praised the articles that addressed the fundamental principles and core issues of politics, while offering relatively harsh evaluations for those that dealt with specific institutions or policies. He also emphasized that, in state administration, the sense of responsibility of officials takes precedence over the presence or absence of institutions. In other words, King Jeongjo believed that once individual officials, including the Chogye Munsin scholars, internalized and practiced the fundamental principles of state governance, specific policies and institutions would naturally follow. Through his bidap, King Jeongjo sought to instill this political and intellectual orientation in the Chogye Munsin scholars.