삼봉 정도전(三峰 鄭道傳) 정치사상의군신공치론(君臣共治論)에 관한 연구

Abstract

This paper focused on the relationship of the king and the ministers in Sambong Jeong Dojeon’s political philosophy who was one of the prominent Confucian scholars of late Goryeo-early Joseon period. While numerous scholars have previously explored Sambong's ideology, the majority of the interpretations suggest that his philosophy lends support to the concept of "ministerial power (臣權論)," wherein the prime minister wields the central authority while relegating the king to a purely symbolic role. However, this study suggests that Sambong's philosophical stance embraces elements of the "condominium of the king and ministers (君臣共治論)" ideology, which has roots tracing back to pre-Qin Confucian texts and later developed in Neo-Confucianism. The "condominium" refers to a governance system wherein the king and ministers collaborate harmoniously to rule the nation. The king, while holding decision-making authority, heeds the counsel of his ministers, and in turn, the ministers respect, support and help the king. This notion of the "condominium" can be discerned within Sambong's philosophy as well. Despite his emphasis on the importance of the prime minister, he does not seek to overly limit the king's power. On the contrary, Sambong acknowledges the king's vital role as the ultimate decision-maker and the sole authority to appoint or replace the prime minister. Moreover, the power of the prime minister is subject to limitations imposed by the king and other ministers who oversee and scrutinize the prime minister's actions and decisions. This paper tried to contribute a more nuanced understanding of Sambong's political thought, shedding light on how he uses the principles of the "condominium of the king and ministers". By reevaluating Sambong's philosophical stance, this study adds to the broader discourse on Confucian political thought during the early Joseon period, illuminating the intricate dynamics that governed the relationship between the king and ministers in the context of statecraft.