고려국왕의 征東行省 保擧權 장악과 그 의미

Abstract

As the relationship between the Goryeo Dynasty and the Mongol Empire improved in the late 13th century, Goryeo kings faced a situation whereby their power was limited by Mongolian officials or Goryeo officials who were backed by the Mongol Empire. In particular, as the Mongol Empire installed a highest-level provincial institution of Branch Secretariat for Cheng Tung(korean called cheongdong-haengseong) in Goryeo as part of its punitive campaign eastward, the Mongol Empire became a direct threat to royal authority of Goryeo kings. However, King Chungryeol secured the highest position－both as a formality and institutionally－that oversaw Mongolian officials as he was appointed as prime minister of Branch Secretariat for Cheng Tung in 1280, and thus fortified his political stature. Following suit, the subsequent Goryeo kings came to 'naturally' serve as prime minister of Branch Secretariat for Cheng Tung. Since the Secretariat was a Mongolian political system, Goryeo kings had to coordinate political systems of the two countries. Among bureaucratic organizations of the Mongolian Empire, low-level officials were sometimes appointed by recommendation. Similarly, for Branch Secretariat for Cheng Tung, Goryeo kings could recommend officials for low-level positions. The recommendations were sent to the Mongolian Ministry of Personnel, and appointment was made by the order of the emperor. As Goryeo kings continued to recommend officials of Branch Secretariat for Cheng Tung, a recognition became widespread that they took charge of managing the Secretariat as prime minister. Despite that the Secretariat was a Mongol institution, a rule was even established that gave discretion to the Secretariat to appoint officials on its own in case personnel decisions by the Secretariat were deemed inappropriate. As the independent status of the Secretariat on personnel affairs became clear, Goryeo kings came to be called 'guk' wang-seungsang' which combines Korean words for 'king (guk’wang)' and 'prime minister (seungsang).' With Mongol institution Branch Secretariat for Cheng Tung installed within the country, Goryeo kings had to secure political power between political systems of the two countries. It was particularly so for people like Lee Gok who held dual positions with both the Goryeo Dynasty and Branch Secretariat for Cheng Tung. They were bound by a dual king-public servant relationship as they served a Goryeo king and a Mongolian emperor at the same time. For this reason, the right to recommend officials for Branch Secretariat for Cheng Tung was highly important for Goryeo kings. They could organize a structure whereby they were the final decision maker in personnel affairs as a Goryeo king, and the de facto decision maker as prime minister for positions at Branch Secretariat for Cheng Tung through their recommendations. However, later Goryeo kings' political power shriveled due to indulgence of King Chunghye, premature enthronement of young kings (Chungmok, Chungjeong) and the dominance of Ki Cheol. Goryeo kings' right to recommend officials for Chung Tung Branch Secretariat was threatened to the point of being lost. Against this background, King Gongmin sought to recover the recommendation right as part of his reform efforts. Goryeo kings needed the recommendation right as a means to control Mongol officials as long as the relationship between the two countries lasted.