英祖의 義理明辯書『闡義昭鑑』 편찬과 정국변화 : 堯舜의 두 가지 얼굴, 탕평군주와 전제군주의 경계

Abstract

A tremendous political upheaval occurred during the transition from the factional politics to the Tangpyeong politics. At his accession to the throne, King Yeongjo experienced numerous turbulences and disturbances. That’s why it took several decades for King Yeongjo to solidify his position as the Tangpyeong (“Great Political Harmony”) monarch and demonstrate his royal legitimacy. In this process, he gradually restored his royal authority with great perseverance. However, the Eulhae Oksa (Treason Case of 1755) enabled the Yao and Shun (堯舜), an ideal governanceshared by King Yeongjo and his vassals since his coronation, to become the monopoly of King Yeongjo. Since then, King Yeongjo took more decisive actions than ever before, and his vassals’ remonstration seemed to almost have no influences. During such a shift, there appeared “Cheonuisogam (闡義昭鑑),” a compilation of the development of the Eulhae Oksa. King Yeongjo frequently cited “Cheonuisogam” as a symbol of his Tangpyeong policy in an attempt to wield control over freedom of speech. Consequently, no one dared to contradict such an absolute monarch. Against this backdrop, King Yeongjo gradually embarked on numerous projects adamantly opposed by vassals under the banner of national reformation. During his late reign, King Yeongjo could spearhead these reformative overhauls thanks to his strict control over free expression of opinion by his vassals. Paradoxically, this acted as the driving force behind not only his exercise of absolute kingship but also implementation of subject-oriented policies. King Yeongjo, highly acclaimed as the Yao and Shun of the Joseon Dynasty, justified all his political activities on the grounds that they served the interests of both citizens and the nation as a whole.