Misplaced Pages

#693306

33-814: Hongmungwan was one of the Three offices of Joseon , together with the Saheonbu and the Saganwon . It was also known as the Ok-dang (옥당, 玉堂), Ok-seo (옥서, 玉署), and Yeong-gak (영각, 瀛閣). It was established in 1463 to replace the Hall of Worthies (Jiphyeonjeon·집현전). The Hall of Worthies was the body originally tasked with answering the kings' questions, however it was abolished in 1456 by King Sejo ; when many of its key officials (the " Six martyred ministers ") became involved in an assassination plot in their effort to restore deposed king Danjong to

66-417: A coup d'état while King Taejo was still in mourning for his second wife. This event led to the deaths of Jeong Do-jeon and his supporters, as well as the deaths of the late Queen Sindeok's two sons, including the crown prince. The incident became known as the "First Strife of Princes" ( 제1차 왕자의 난 ). Aghast at the fact that his sons were willing to kill each other for the crown, and psychologically exhausted by

99-514: A more thorough review of character and family background. The children of officials who were impeached for corruption and children of concubines were excluded, and only those who passed literary gwageo examinations could become a daegan. As it attracted the elite of Joseon officialdom, the Three Offices provided one of the fastest routes of promotion to top posts in the Royal Court and was almost

132-458: A new department known as the Sinmun Office , to hear cases in which aggrieved subjects felt that they had been exploited or treated unjustly by officials or aristocrats . Despite being the one responsible for Chŏng Mong-ju 's assassination, Taejong posthumously honored him as Chief State Councillor , leading to a great irony — Chŏng To-jŏn , whose policies governed Joseon for five centuries,

165-421: A requirement to becoming a State Councillor . It monitored government administration and officials at each level in both central and local governments for corruption, malfeasance, or inefficiency. It was also in charge of advancing public morals and Confucian customs and redressing grievances of the populace. It was headed by Inspector General (Daesaheon·대사헌), who oversaw 30 largely independent officials. It

198-520: A third base of power that provided checks and balance between the king and the ministers of State Council and Six Ministries. It could remonstrated with the king if it perceived that the king made a mistake had veto power against appointment of officials and enactment of laws including royal decrees. The resulting conflict between Sarim and Hungu factions led to two literati purges that decimated Sarim scholars and emasculated Three Offices during Yeonsangun 's reign. Yeonsangun, who saw Three Offices as

231-426: A threat to king's absolute authority, eliminated two offices - Office of Censors and Council of Special Advisors - and reduced Office of Inspector General. However, Three Offices was restored to its previous position when Yeonsangun became too tyrannical and was deposed in a coup. Jungjong of Joseon , who succeeded Yeonsangun, again embraced Sarim scholars as a means to check powers of Hungu ministers who put him on

264-520: Is a collective name for three government offices in the Joseon Dynasty that functioned as major organ of press and provided checks and balance on the king and the officials. These were Office of Inspector General (Saheonbu·사헌부), Office of Censors (Saganwon·사간원), and Office of Special Advisors (Hongmungwan·홍문관). While modeled after the Chinese system of Censorate , they played much more prominent roles in

297-414: Is the largest and most senior office of Three Offices. Its chief function was to remonstrate with the king if there was wrong or improper action or policy. Important decrees of the king were first reviewed by censors, who could ask to withdraw them if judged improper. It also issued opinions about the general state of affairs. It was composed of five officials, led by Chief Censor (Daesagan·대사간). While

330-439: The "Second Strife of Princes" ( 제2차 왕자의 난 ). Yi Pang-wŏn successfully defeated his brother's forces, then executed Park Bo and exiled Yi Pang-gan. King Jeongjong, now fearful of his formidable younger brother, named Yi Pang-wŏn his successor and abdicated in the same year. At long last, Yi Pang-wŏn (posthumously King Taejong), assumed the throne of Joseon and became the dynasty's third monarch. One of Taejong's first acts as king

363-461: The Great), but continued to rule with an iron fist and decide on important matters. Along the years, as a means to strengthen royal authority and subdue corruption, he executed or exiled some of the supporters who helped him ascend to the throne; he also executed the four brothers of his wife Queen Wongyeong , as well as Sejong's father-in-law Shim On and his younger brother Shim Jeong, in order to limit

SECTION 10

#1732855321694

396-577: The Joseon government than their Chinese counterparts. Some historians credit the Three Offices for the absence of abuses by eunuchs that were prevalent throughout Chinese history. The officials who served in these offices, called "daegan" (대간), tended to be younger and of lower rank compared to other offices such as the Six Ministries but had strong academic reputations and enjoyed special privileges and great prestige. To be appointed, they went through

429-571: The Privy Council was replaced by the State Council . Taejong also issued a decree according to which all decisions passed by the State Council could only come into effect with the approval of the king. This ended the custom of court ministers making decisions through debate and negotiations among themselves, and thus brought the royal authority to new heights. Shortly thereafter, Taejong installed

462-594: The State Council), and Deputy Chief Scholar (Bujehak·부제학), who actually ran the office. There was great prestige attached to being Chief Scholar in this deeply Confucian society. After the Seongjong period, Hongmungwan also acted on inspections and remonstrations. The Hongmungwan was abandoned in 1907. This Korean history -related article is a stub . You can help Misplaced Pages by expanding it . Three offices of Joseon Three Offices , or Samsa (삼사·三司),

495-414: The assassination plot in their effort to restore deposed king Danjong to the throne. Three Offices of Joseon was inherited from Goryeo Dynasty , but its characteristic features were developed after neo-Confucianism became the ideological foundation in Joseon, especially during Seongjong 's reign. Seongjong brought in a group of neo-Confucian scholars called Sarim as a new political force to check

528-531: The daily lessons called gyeongyeon (경연), in which they discussed history and Confucian philosophy with the king. Gyeongyeons generally took place three times a day although few kings such as Taejong and Yeonsangun abolished them. Since these discussions often led to commentary on current political issues, its officials had significant influence as advisors. It was headed by the Chief Scholar (Daejehak·대제학), who served concurrently in another high post (such as in

561-547: The death of his second wife, Taejo abdicated; his eldest surviving son, Yi Pang-gwa (posthumously King Jeongjong), immediately became the new ruler. Yi Pang-wŏn quickly emerged as the real force behind the throne and was soon in conflict with his disgruntled elder brother, Yi Pang-gan , who also yearned for power. In 1400, General Park Bo, who found the rewards for his deeds during the First Strife of Princes lacking, allied with Yi Pang-gan and rebelled in what came to be known as

594-483: The discovery of previously hidden land, national wealth increased twofold. In addition, Taejong created a strong central government. In 1400, before taking the throne, he had played a key role in eradicating the Dopyeong Assembly  [ ko ] , a branch of the old administration that had monopolized the executive power during the waning years of Goryeo, in favor of the Privy Council; during Taejong's reign,

627-555: The ensuing debate. It oversaw the royal library and served as research institute to study Confucian philosophy and answer the king's questions. Its officials took part in the daily lessons called gyeongyeon (경연), in which they discussed history and Confucian philosophy with the king. Gyeongyeon generally took place three times a day although few kings such as Taejong and Yeonsangun abolished them. Since these discussions often led to commentary on current political issues, its officials had significant influence as advisors. It

660-487: The father of Sejong the Great . He was the fifth son of King Taejo , the founder of the dynasty. Before ascending to the throne, he was known as Prince Jeongan ( 정안군 ; 靖安君 ). Born in 1367 as the fifth son of Yi Sŏng-gye and his first wife Lady Han , Yi Pang-wŏn qualified as an official in 1382. He studied under Confucian scholars such as Won Cheon-seok . During his early years, he assisted his father in gathering

693-624: The influence of in-laws and powerful clans. King Taejong died four years after his abdication, on 10 May 1422, in Sugang Palace . He was buried alongside Queen Wongyeong at Heolleung ( 헌릉 ), part of the Heonilleung burial ground, in present-day Seocho District , Seoul , South Korea. Taejong remains a controversial figure in Korean history who eliminated many of his rivals (such as Chŏng Mong-ju and Chŏng To-jŏn ) and yet ruled effectively to improve

SECTION 20

#1732855321694

726-705: The movements of the population. In 1403, Taejong ordered 100,000 pieces of metal type and two complete fonts. Predating Gutenberg and Laurens Janszoon by several decades, he accomplished the metal movable type . He promoted press, commerce, and education, and also reformed the Sapyeongsunwibu ( 사평순위부 ), Joseon's early military and law enforcement agency, and separated the Uigeumbu as Joseon's law enforcement agency but without military functions. In 1418, Taejong abdicated in favor of his third legitimate son, Yi Do (posthumously King Sejong, commonly known as Sejong

759-450: The power of ministers (called Hungu) who had accumulated great power and wealth by supporting his grandfather Sejo when Sejo usurped the throne from his nephew Danjong . With Seongjong's patronage, Sarim scholars occupied key posts in Three Offices and challenged the Hungu ministers who occupied key posts in State Council and Six Ministries . More significantly, Three Offices developed into

792-515: The primary focus for Office of Inspector General is the government officials and Office of Censors is focused on the king, the two offices often performed each other's functions, and there was much overlap. Together they were called "Yangsa," (양사) which literally means "Both Offices," and often cooperated in joint actions especially when they sought to reverse the king's decision. In their role as organ of press, they did not have actual authority to decide or implement policies, but had influential voice in

825-415: The principal architect of the ideological, institutional and legal foundations of the new dynasty, saw Joseon as a kingdom led by its ministers by virtue of the king's appointment. In contrast, Yi Pang-wŏn sought direct rule through an absolute monarchy . These differences ultimately contributed to an environment of deep political tension. In 1398, following the sudden death of Queen Sindeok, Yi Pang-wŏn led

858-469: The purges as Joseon kings' campaign to weaken Three Offices, which emerged as a key player in the delicate balance between monarchy and bureaucracy/aristocracy that characterized Joseon. Taejong of Joseon Taejong ( Korean :  태종 ; Hanja :  太宗 ; 16 May 1367 – 10 May 1422), personal name Yi Pang-wŏn ( 이방원 ; 李芳遠 ), was the third monarch of the Joseon of Korea and

891-625: The support of the commoners and of many influential figures in the government; Yi Pang-wŏn also helped in the founding of Joseon by assassinating powerful officials who remained loyal to Goryeo , most prominently Chŏng Mong-ju . After contributing heavily to the overthrowing of the previous dynasty and the establishment of Joseon, he expected to be appointed as successor to the throne. However, his father and Chief State Councillor Jeong Do-jeon favored Taejo's eighth son and Yi Pang-wŏn's youngest half-brother (second son of Queen Sindeok ), Yi Pang-sŏk. This conflict arose chiefly because Jeong Do-jeon, as

924-519: The throne and thus wielded power that virtually superseded Jungjong. Again, Sarim scholars led by Jo Gwang-jo used Three Offices as power base to challenge Hungu ministers and launch a series of reforms. However, Jungjong was estranged from Jo Gwang-jo due to radical nature of his reforms and slander of the Hungu faction, which led to Third Literati Purge of 1519 . Traditionally, these purges were interpreted in terms of struggle between two rival factions - Sarim and Hungu. But some historians now view

957-575: The throne. The books stored in the Hall of Worthies were moved to Yemungwan. In 1463, the Jangseogak was renamed the Hongmungwan. In 1478, Hongmungwan was divided and reformed from Yemungwan. Hongmungwan maintained the books of the royal library, archived the kings writings. It also served as a research institute in the study of Confucian philosophy and to answer the king's questions. Its officials took part in

990-501: Was a straight hardliner — he attacked the Jurchens at the northern border and the Japanese pirates on the southern coast. Taejong is also remembered for being the initiator behind the Ōei Invasion of Tsushima Island in 1419. He set up the system of hopae , an early form of identification which consisted of tags recording the bearer's name and residence; those tags were used to control

1023-487: Was headed by Chief Scholar (Daejehak·대제학), who served concurrently in another high post (such as in State Council), and Deputy Chief Scholar (Bujehak·부제학), who actually ran the office. There was great prestige attached to being Chief Scholar in this deeply Confucian society. The office was established in 1463 by King Sejo to replace Hall of Worthies (Jiphyeonjeon·집현전), which he abolished in 1456 when many of its key officials (" Six martyred ministers ") became involved in

Hongmungwan - Misplaced Pages Continue

1056-434: Was to abolish the privilege to maintain private armies which was enjoyed by the aristocracy and the upper echelons of the government. His revoking of the right to keep independent forces effectively severed the upper class' ability to muster large-scale revolts, and drastically increased the number of soldiers employed by the national army. Taejong's next act was to revise the existing legislation concerning land taxation. With

1089-475: Was vilified throughout the dynasty, while Chŏng Mong-ju was revered in spite of his opposition to its founding. Taejong promoted Confucianism as the state ideology, thus demoting Buddhism , which consequently never recovered the glory and great power it had enjoyed during the Goryeo period. He closed many Buddhist temples; their vast possessions were seized and added to the national treasury. In foreign policy, he

#693306