15세기 유향소 복립 논의를 통해 본 지방통치 방식의 특징

Abstract

This paper examines the discussion on re-establishing yuhyangso during the reign of King Seongjong and reconsider its meaning. This particular discussion over re-establishing yuhyangso has been an important subject of academic research in understanding the political powers and local governance measures in early Joseon period. Whereas conventional scholarship mainly understood yuhyangso from a dichotomous point of view, that is Confucian literati versus meritorious elite or central versus local, this paper seeks to analyze the discussion’s background and points of debate within its historical context and examine the meaning of re-establishing yuhyangso in relation to the state’s local governing policy. From the beginning of the dynasty, Joseon proceeded with its centralist control of local governance, which became the very background of the work of re-establishing yuhyangso during King Seongjong’s reign. This is supported by the fact that the central government expected yuhyangso to play the role of handling local customs, or more in particular observing local clerks. In addition, yuhyangso was understood based on ancient China’s hyangdaebu system or Koryeo’s sasimgwan institution which aimed at centralized control of the local society. Opinions on the issue varied over the probable side effects of re-establishing yuhyangso and how to overcome them, which was also determined by their perceptions of local officials. In short, at the center of the controversy was whether the central government could successfully carry out the centralist control of local governance through yuhyangso. Certain rules and laws regarding yuhyangso commonly specify ways of restraining the power and actions of local officials by having yuhyangso controlled by the state. This indicates that the intention behind re-establishing yuhyangso was not that of restoring the former yuhyangso with autonomous character but of incorporating yuhyangso into one of the centralized local governing systems, regulating such matters ranging from personnel appointment to its operation within the bureaucratic system. It was likely for the yuhyangso to operate in the old way regardless of the state’s attempt, and thus it needed constant supervision from the central government to work as expected. The subsequent discussion on abolishing yuhyangso signaled the discrepancy between the ideal and reality regarding the institution but basically, it was also in line with the previous re-establishment issue. With this new approach to the discussion on re-establishing yuhyangso during King Seongjong’s reign, we can get more of a clear understanding of the character of early Joseon political forces and enable diverse scholarly discussions on the matter of the state’s local governance in the following period.