明 景泰 연간(1450-57)의 정치 변동과 조선의 대응

Abstract

This article analyses the strategies employed by the Joseon government to maintain diplomatic relations with the Ming dynasty, with a particular focus on the Jingtai reign (1450-57). In 1449, the capture of Emperor Zhengtong by the Oirat army during a personal military campaign led to the unexpected coronation of his half-brother, Zhu Qiyu, as the new emperor in Beijing. This change in imperial leadership led to changes in the positions of Empress and Empress Dowager. Subsequently, a series of intricate political manoeuvres led to the change of the heir to the throne. Sadly, both his wife and son met untimely deaths. Finally, in the early months of 1457, a palace coup resulted in the reinstatement of the previously imprisoned emperor, who replaced the ailing reigning emperor. During this brief yet tumultuous period, the Joseon Dynasty experienced the reigns of four monarchs, transitioning from Sejong to Munjong, then to Danjong, and finally to Sejo. In this context, maintaining a stable relationship with the Ming Dynasty was of paramount importance, both for the reigning monarch and the stability of Joseon as a whole. The Joseon government implemented a consistent diplomatic strategy to nurture this relationship. They regularly dispatched diplomatic envoys to commemorate significant occasions, including the first day of the first lunar month, the emperor's birthday, and the crown prince's birthday. Furthermore, envoys were sent on three to four occasions annually to address specific matters or convey expressions of gratitude, always accompanied by offerings and gifts to honor members of the Ming imperial family. The composition of the imperial family held significance beyond domestic politics, as it directly influenced the quantity of gift packages that the Joseon government was obligated to prepare and present. The Joseon government exhibited an impressive capacity to promptly and accurately adapt to the dynamic shifts within the Ming imperial family. This success can be attributed, in part, to the regular exchange of diplomatic envoys and, equally importantly, to the presence of agents who facilitated the swift relay of information from Beijing to Seoul. As a result, the gift packages dispatched by the Joseon government consistently reached their intended recipients with precision and appropriateness. Remarkably, throughout this entire process, the Joseon Dynasty maintained a stance of diplomatic neutrality, refraining from passing judgment on the propriety or impropriety of the Ming Dynasty’s political fluctuations.