1880년대 전반 조선정부의 서기수용노선 확립과 김창희의 개혁 구상

Abstract

The Joseon government initiated modern reforms in the 1880s. The goal was to ensure the nation’s survival in the world defined by imperialist order and legal framework. In doing so, Joseon could not help but import Western technology and way of life. This led to the question of how best to synthesize the reform efforts that started in late Joseon era with the new Western imports. This required a realistic solution. And the ones responsible for devising solutions were the Joseon government and its officials. The Joseon government’s proclamation of the Imo Reformation (壬午改革敎書) marked the beginning of this reform effort. In other words, the Imo reform began. This policy implied accepting Western technology, but rejecting Western religious beliefs. Prior to the Imo reforms, the Gojong regime had to convince the conservative and anti-foreigner elements both inside and outside the government. This entailed both peaceful measures, such as the royal decrees, as well as the violent ones, such as the 1882 military uprising. Kim Changhee, one of the court officials in charge of developing and implementing reform measures, witnessed these complicated developments. He observed how the government “arbitrarily” ignored the existing order to push reforms, which provoked resistance throughout the society and culminated in the 1882 military uprising. In the aftermath of the 1882 military uprising, the Joseon government consulted Qing officials on how best to proceed with reforms and left a detailed account of this conversation. Kim Changhee accommodated much of Qing’s advice, but also ensured that they were tailored to the particularities of Joseon. In other words, aware of the complex domestic and international realities, Kim valued Joseon’s relationship with Qing. At the same time, however, he did not blindly follow Qing’s suggestions. As an official of the Joseon government, he sought to adjust Qing’s recommendations in a way that was more fitting to his country. Kim Changhee’s reform measures could be traced back to bukhak tradition of the late Joseon era. They were also neatly aligned with the Joseon government’s Imo Reformation Proclamation. Kim’s reform measures also targeted the government itself. The process leading up to the Imo reforms of the 1880s and the specific reform measures sought by Kim Changhee demonstrated the rigorous efforts of the Joseon court and its officials to find ways to survive in the new world order.