선비精神에 비추어 본 鄭仁弘의 著述과 生涯

Abstract

This study analyzed the publications and life of In Hong Jung (pen name: Raeam), a northern sect scholar from the mid-Joseon Dynasty, to examine his noble spirit. Before doing so, I investigated how the History of the Joseon Dynasty and later scholars evaluated Raeam. The evaluation of Raeam varies greatly in northern administration's History of King Seonjo, and western administration's Modified History of King Seonjo, and the Journal of King Gwanghaegun. The History of King Seonjo describes Raeam as a man of faith and integrity, while the Modified History of King Seonjo and the Journal of King Gwanghaegun depict him as a treacherous and violent man who likes to talk ill of others. The History of King Injo and the History of King Sukjong describe him as a monstrous and rebellious man who initiated the disposal of the queen. Raeam is more severely blamed in later generations. Yi Yi (pen name Yulgok) evaluated him as a faithful man in his Journal of Seokdam at first, but later blamed him when Bal Yi and In Hong Jung impeached Eui Gyum Shim, another scholar in the western sect. The History of Sukjong, written by the southern sect criticized Si Yul Song of the western sect (conservative) more severely than Raeam of the northern sect. Based on these facts, we can assume that these evaluations of Raeam were strongly biased by the political stances of each sect. Modern scholars evaluate Raeam as a revolutionary and liberal Confucian scholar, but point out that he lacked toleration of other sects. Although certain parts of the History of the Joseon Dynasty record In Hong Jung as a traitor, modern scholars describe him as a practical and revolutionary political thinker. The fact that Raeam emphasized the virtue of offspring and servant by criticizing the execution of disposed queen in 「Dabijonguk」 and was always concerned about the reality even after his retirement, shows that he was a truthful Confucian scholar. When the Joseon Dynasty encountered the Japanese Invasion of 1592, he wrote, "Everyone dies in a war," in his Yegi (「Yuhaeng」) and showed his noble spirit to confront the invaders. His political view also reflected his noble spirit. Raeam showed that nobility shall be able to wait for the world to clear up when the world is ruled by the vice.