『明陵先生案』을 중심으로 본 조선후기 陵官의 변화와 운용

Abstract

This thesis clarifies the Neungguan(陵官) system’s transition during the late Joseon Dynasty as evidenced through an analysis of The Myeongneung Seonsaengan(明陵先生案). Myeongneung(明陵) was one of the most important royal tombs during late Joseon Dynasty, and is the burial place for King Sukjong (肅宗, 19th King of the Joseon Dynasty) and his 2 wives Empress Yinhyeon and Yinweon. King Sukjong's two sons, Gyeongjong (20th King of the Joseon Dynasty) and Yeongjo (英祖, 21st King of the Joseon Dynasty) ruled after their father Sukjong, and were subsequently followed by Sukjong’s great grandson, King Jeongjo (正祖 22nd King of the Joseon Dynasty), who led the renaissance during the late Joseon dynasty. Myeongneung is not far from Seoul, which enabled easy visits by Sukjong’s descendants. The Academy of Korean studies has investigated the late Joseon Dynasty’s Neungguan system(陵官制度) in great depth through studying The Myeongneung Seonsaengan(明陵先生案, K2-524) and Myeongneung Chambong Seonsaengan(明陵參奉先生案, K2-4989), both which are owned by Jangseogak. The royal mausoleum contains the ancestor king’s tombs and represented the service king's filial devotion. In addition, the Neungguan’s role afforded him an opportunity to move up within the government bureaucracy, whether a new member of the bureaucracy or an existing member looking to take on a new position. The Neungguan’s role was not overly burdensome, and opened up opportunities to connect with influential people.It was also possible to quickly get promoted to the level of local government official. Futhermore, the Neungguan position was a means to reduce officer promotion backlog in the late Joseon dynasty bureaucracy given Neungguan openings were regularly available in comparison to other roles within the limited bureaucracy system. To allay hiring and promotion issues within the late Joseon dynasty, the governing body created a hierarchy system within the Neungguan position itself, allowing for the promotion of individual’s within the role to a higher status Neunguan.