기묘사화와 中和論 - 16세기 사림의 신권강화 -

Abstract

Nowadays, there are various positive and negative views about defining the characteristics of Korean economics and politics through the analysis of Confucian cultures in the Joseon Dynasty. However, these studies often ignore a detailed approach, such as what kind of Neo-Confucian theories have developed the political and social change regarding Confucian discourse in a wider sense. In this paper, it is clarified that Zhonghe-theory(中和論) played a major role in the forefront of the political and moral issues starting from the Gimyo(己卯) Literati Purge in 1519, and, as a result, the Sarim[士林,Neo-Confucian Literati] emerged as a political subject, creating a new political climate in order to strengthen the power of the Literati. The results of the study are as follows: 1. In the 16th century, the Sarim class attained the status of political subject to educate monarchs and participate in real politics through the Gimyo(己卯) Literati Purge. 2. In the 16th century, Zhonghe-theory(中和論) strengthened the power of the press while checking and criticizing the kingship. 3. In the early Joseon Dynasty, Zhonghe-theory中和論 was used to mean the praying for the virtue of the monarchy, or for the prevention of natural disasters under the theory that the monarch could raise morality based on the idea that God communicates with the heart of human beings. In conclusion, the study of Sarim[士林,Neo-Confucian Literati] politics can be a factor in understanding Korean politics and society today, and will show that the Confucian culture of Joseon was a society that sought to achieve the ideals of the "philosopher king" under Neo-Confucianism.