大院君의 政治的 地位와 國政運營

Abstract

]What made Daewongun hold the reins of political power was not based on a new political power group nor on renewed political ideas. It was motivated by the reasons for succession of the throne to the little Crown Prince and for assistance to rule as regent. Because of his situation as kindred of the king, he didn't take any official rank to practice his political capability.'Jongchinbu', kindred of the king, was the best public offices and it was legal. Daewongun was on the top of 'Jongchinbu' due to the blood relation with the king. He was not in the state of a subject who had to render devoted service to the king. Even king's mother and the king himself didn't issue a command to him nor speak to him in an authoritative tone. The officials sincerely carried out what Daewongun decided on political matters. He didn't need to take any official position which could allow him to practice his political decisions. In a way, therefore, his political status can be said in terms of convention. Daewongun thoroughly protected the king's authority and concentrated his mind on establishment of a strong and absolute monarchy. Accordingly he used to make political decisions and execute them in his own line of policy. Most of his political measures were for people first. The officials in higher political status accepted Daewongun's rein of political power as the king's reign. Therefore his management of ruling the nation with the power of an absolute monarchy was possible in the shade of political convention.