선조 대 당쟁의 원인과 전개양상- 이이를 중심으로

Abstract

Thus far, the studies of factional strifes seems to have focused on the estimations for them. However, what is important is what the factional strifes themselves in Joseon period were. There were 2 political streams during the early period of King Seonjo regime (1567~1608). One was that the new political group called sarim became the political majority in the political circle. And the other was that the factional strifes, which has been called ‘Dangjaeng’ got started. And the words that sarim became the political majority never meant that ‘the sarim politics’ came true. In terms of the political structure, the old regime before King Seonjo can be characterized as the power abuses of high ranking official, and absence of official journalism. Right after the death (1545) of Queen Munjong, the attacks against the old regime were started. These attacks meant that the extreme unbalance between powers of the high ranking officials and official journalists moved to the opposite side. After sarim became the political majority, the central politics might be said to get less corrupt. However, the sarim administration could not be said to be more effective than before. Moreover, right after sarim seized the power, the formational of east-west factions happened, which meant the premature of sarim power. In this situation, Yi I, who was the influential leader of sarim, urged the political unity of the factional groups, and emphasized the livelihoods of the public. Surely, the 2 things Yi I had said were the ideal solutions which could solved the contemporary problems. However, as he had said, these solutions could not be realistic.