世祖의 王位 簒奪 餘波와 端宗 復位運動의 意味

The Aftermath of King Sejo s Usurpation and the Meaning of Restoration Movement for King Danjong

King Sejo s usurpation caused terrible aftermath, which changed all the foundations of the moral Confucian society that the Joseon dynasty had pursued. Politics, society, economy and culture based on Confucianism by King Sejong had been impaired by King Sejo s wrongful usurpation, and the political situation had been drawn into a whirlpool in the end. Since then, all the political and social conflicts and the economical and cultural changes that had been taken place in Joseon society were basically originated from the King Sejo s reins that had been irregularly erected. King Sejo appointed his relatives to the important posts for their great service, which led to the breaking of Confucianism policy. This shook the political system based on the Confucianism by the preceding King Sejong, and became the root cause of continuing crippled politics. Also, this crippled national administration was partly caused from the worship of Buddhism by King Sejo, which attached too much importance to certain cultural aspects, and also disturbed the public order. In addition, the study of Chinese classics tended to be replaced by prose and poems since King Sejo. Although King Sejo tried to cultivate men of ability who were good at both Chinese classics and literature after he had overthrown Jibhyunjeon, an academic institute, he failed. As the Gwageo, the national civil service examination, selected men of ability with the writings of prose and poems, the prose and poems had acquired a great vogue. King Sejo s usurpation became the cause of a massacre of scholars, which was not absent from the party squabbles. King Sejo s usurpation had an evil influence upon the political changes and the cultural trend. According to the King Sejo s usurpation, it is easily estimated that a single evil incident could have enormous effect upon the future generations. The meaning of restoration movement for King Danjong was the practical movement to restore the orthodox of the royal authority, and had made a significant contribution to show younger scholars the existence of an unbiased view. The life and power of execution by Sayuksin (6 loyal subjects) based on their conscience and morality were sufficient to set an example of the future generations. When people just pursue money and fame but have no sense of morality or honor, the restoration movement for King Danjongare is very suggestive.