광해군대 척신의 세력화와 상호갈등

Abstract

It was not uncommon for Chucksin (戚臣) to assist the king and exert political influence in the Joseon Dynasty. Nevertheless, this study focused on Chucksin during the reign of Gwanghaegun to zoom in on the tendency that emerged again after the fall of the Chucksin politics of the reign of Myeongjong (明宗). During this period, Sarim (士林) were extremely wary of Chucksin taking parts in the politics as they personally removed Chucksin of Myeongjong to take control of the nation. Therefore, it was quite difficult for Chucksin to participate in politics. Thereafter, Seonjo (宣祖) began to take the lead in running the country to restore the authority lost due to the Japanese invasion of Korea (壬辰倭亂), which led to his appointment of his Chucksin who thereby began to gain political influence. Although enthroned, Gwanghaegun (光海君) was not a legitimate eldest son of Seonjo, with Yeongchangdaegun (永昌大君), the legitimate son, and Imhaegun (臨海君), the eldest son, alive. In addition, he was not proclaimed as heir by the Ming emperor. Due to such internal and external circumstances, Gwanghaegun chose to run the nation by actively appointing his own Chucksin. Chucksin of Gwanghaegun also strengthened their weak political base using union with the king. Yoo Hee-bun (柳希奮), Park Seung-jong (朴承宗), Lee Yi-cheom (李爾瞻), and Lim Chwi-jeong (任就正), also known as Samchang (三昌) meaning Chucksin of Gwanghaegun, were not able to come up with a logic of political administration based on academics, as their influence had not been built on any school of thought. Chucksin chose to keep in step with the measures to strengthen the kingship sought by Gwanghaegun as a means of running the nation and focused on gaining personal interest as a result of power acquired accordingly. Amidst such a situation, a conflict arose within Chucksin, which escalated to a sharp confrontation over control of political influence. Oksa (獄事) became frequent during the reign of Gwanghaegun. While Oksa prior to the Oksa of Gyechuk (癸丑獄事) were made to reinforce the kingship of Gwanghaegun, Oksa of Shin Gyeong-hee (申景禧獄事), Choi Ki-ok (崔沂獄事), and Heo Gyun (許筠獄事) were used in conflicts between Chucksin. In addition, appointments of Yijopanseo (吏曹判書) and Byeongjopanseo (兵曹判書) was not made during the latter half of the Gwanghaegun era for a long time because of the conflict within Chucksin. which was a result of internal conflict. As such, the conflict between Chucksin escalated as time went by. However, Gwanghaegun was unable to make adjustments in the way he ran the country, which came to contribute to Injobanjeong (仁祖反正). Furthermore, this period is understood to have expanded the class participating in politics due to active Kongron politics (公論政治) as a result of shadow press and press activities by students of Confucianism. However, because of the Oksa of Gyechuk (癸丑獄事) and controversy over disposal of Queen Mother Inmok (廢母論), the political forces other than Chucksin rarely came forward to participate in political affairs. Although the class participating in politics expanded, the range of participation itself reduced. Gwanghaegun did not accept public opinions such as putting a stop to the controversy over disposal of Queen Mother Inmok, and continued to use his Chucksin. Eventually, the government of Gwanghaegun resulted in a political state with no compromise or coexistence. Gwanghaegun, while continuing to use his Chucksin, did not solve problems that came with his decision, which triggered Injobanjeong (仁祖反正) without resistance.