朝鮮前期 白丁에 대한 齊民化 政策의 成果

Abstract

Using materials and methods that had not been utilized in previous research, this study reached the new interpretation that the policy for the civilianization of baekjeongs was very successful. That is, the civilization of baekjeongs was completed legislatively during the reign of King Sejo by allowing baekjeongs who had never violated prohibitions through three generations to be civilianized. Pijang(Tanners), Yugijang (wicker trunk maker), etc. recorded in the census register since the 16th century were terms referring to a civilianized baekjeong. The roll call of baekjeongs was made on every court day recorded in ‘Silrok’ during King Seongjong's reign, but in the Seongju area during the mid 16th century it was made on the baekjeong court day. During the early period of the civilianization policy, regulation on baekjeongs’ households was tightened and this increased the population and the criminal rate of baekjeongs. However, those who were civilianized during the reign of King Sejo were enrolled in the register using the same form as that for ordinary people and, as a result, the criminal activities and population of baekjeongs decreased sharply since the 16th century. With the powerful promotion of the civilianization policy during the early Chosun Dynasty, most of baekjeongs were incorporated into the production economic system centering on agriculture, and were regarded legislatively as civilians. Even there were exemplary cases in the aspect of the internalization of Confucian ethics. Nevertheless, it was a continuous social practice to discriminate against the descendents of baekjeongs who could not abandon their ancestors’ customs.