조선 세조대 종친의 정치 활동과 이념적 기반– 영해군(寧海君)을 중심으로-

Abstract

During the reign of King Sejo, institutional arrangements led by the state wasnearly accomplished. Meanwhile, numerous political scandals and exceptional situations took place during the reign of King Sejo. This had to do with the historicalsituation of this period; King Sejo took the throne in the way of usurpation, causingsevere lack of legitimation, appointed his helpers as meritorious subjects throughouthis reign, and frequently managed the state affairs in an abnormal way disregarding the existing procedures and customs. Especially, political activities of the royalrelatives increased and they even became officials in this period, which provokedcontroversies. Aim of this research is examining how the ruling class justified theparticipation of members of royal lineage in political events during which normaland abnormal way of administrative process was practiced. Most of the existingstudies on royal member activities under King Sejo emphasized its overly tyrannical and crippled aspects because of their inclination toward the king. These perspectives are still valid in understanding King Sejo’s personal political intention orstyle. Even it is true, however, that king’s personal will heavily influenced the royalmember activities, their activities would not have been available without institutional foundations and common rules people of that period agreed upon. Activitiesof royal relatives were justifiable based on two principles contained in Chosŏn’s bureaucratic system. First, it is a principle of paying respect to those of special status interms of putting emphasis on descent. Non-official duties of assisting the king, participating in state administration, and conveying king’s command assigned to royalrelatives were not only a matter of fulfilling the king’s needs but also a matter ofpaying respect to them. Secondly, it is a principle of emphasizing one’s contributionand capability, the most fundamental rule which lies in bureaucratic system. KingSejo justified royal relative’s official activities by arguing that meritorious subjectsand royal relatives had to be treated equally based on their degree of contributions. This principle may have served as a critical cause for involving a number of royalmembers in official posts in his latter years. No one could have argued against him, which implies that the value of meritocracy was set as a common ground on theoperation of government.