1873년 고종의 통치권 장악 과정에 대한 일고찰

Abstract

In December 1863, 12-year-old Kojong(高宗) rose as the 26th monarch under the nomination of Shinjeongwanghu(神貞王后). Because Kojong was still young, fragile, and has yet to receive training and education on becoming an emperor at the time of his enthronement, regency by the queen mother commenced, also based on precedent. With the end of regency by the queen mother in February 1866, political power was transferred over to Daewongun(大院君), Kojong’s real father, and Kojong continued to concentrate on autocratic education while partaking in and collaborating with Daewongun in his policy-making decisions and progress. During the 1870s, however, Kojong began to see Daewongun’s increased convergence of power and monopoly as a threat. Kojong believed that Daewongun’s numerous political activities served the stability and security of sovereign authority and even entrusted Daewongun with authority of the monarch. Daewongun, however, refused to return sovereignty to Kojong and instead focused on expanding his own power base. Kojong then became apprehensive about Daewongun’s actions and sought to restore his own sovereign power. Kojong surrounded himself with relatives, mostly from his maternal side, and worked on creating anti-Daewongun sentiments and atmosphere. At this point, Kojong received a private message from China, stating the Chinese Emperor’s return to power and the Chinese people’s great anticipation for the emperor’s return. This message served as an inspiration for Kojong, who in October 1873 took advantage of Choi Ik-hyeon(崔益鉉)’s appeal and announced his actual rule. The formation of Kojong’s ruling system led to power struggles between Kojong and government officials who opposed Choi’s punishment and between Kojong and pro-Daewongun forces. On the surface, government officials claimed they opposed Kojong’s punishment of Choi Ik-hyeon because a state tribunal needed to be installed to conduct a detailed investigation into Choi’s rebellious intentions but, in actuality, the officials wanted to deter Daewongun’s withdrawal and maintain their hold on the government. This was a war between Kojong, who wished to relieve Daewongun and restore the sovereignty, and government officials, who were claiming the validity of the incumbent government in an attempt to protect their positions. In this struggle over national leadership, neither side gave way to the other. In the end, Kojong dismissed those officials who kept on insisting a trial for Choi Ik-hyeon and a newly structured Uijeongbu(議政府). With this, the conflict between Kojong and government officials that transpired throughout October and November 1873 was subdued and Daewongun retired from politics to complete the first phase in the buildup of Kojong’s rule.