세종대 對外征伐 정책의 본격화와 對明意識

Abstract

Joseon’s foreign policy in the 15th century can be summarized by conquests. The nation’s frequent conquests were not made in a prompt response to actions by external powers. Such frequent conquests were made possible by Joseon’s careful plans based on its foreign policy. Particularly, Joseon’s foreign conquests could not avoid a confrontation of opinions with Ming, and Ming actually checked Joseon’s policy toward Jurchen. This is what draws our attention to Joseon’s attitude toward Ming. Joseon betrayed its principle of diplomatic policy when it stuck to its own consistent policy toward Jurchen in a situation where Ming checked Joseon’s Jurchen policy. However, Joseon in the 15th century strived to maintain consistency of its Jurchen policy more often than sticking to its diplomatic policy. In this regard, a look at the cause and effect of early Joseon’s foreign conquests and attitudes of Joseon, Ming and Jurchen toward this can more specifically tell us about the true foreign relations in East Asia in the 14th and 15th centuries. In addition, an examination of overseas and domestic situations centering around Joseon’s conquests and of the Kings and their servants’ attitude toward them can explain what early Joseon’s attitude toward foreign nations and powers meant and how it had changed.