This study is to consider the change of political situation and institutions in Goryeo Dynasty due to the change in kingship and his role under the interference of Yuan Dynasty.
During the interference of Yuan, kings of Goryeo were controlled by Yuan ...
This study is to consider the change of political situation and institutions in Goryeo Dynasty due to the change in kingship and his role under the interference of Yuan Dynasty.
During the interference of Yuan, kings of Goryeo were controlled by Yuan. Due to the peculiar characteristics of this age, Goryeo kings came to have the double status as the supreme political leader of Goryeo and the vassal of Yuan emperor. Furthermore, as the sons-in-law of Yuan emperors, they also had the position of maternal grandsons in Yuan’s royal family. Of course, the most important in the diverse positions was that as the supreme political leader of Goryeo. But, in early days of Yuan interference when their kingship was first restored, their position as the supreme ruler was not stable. So, in case of King Chungnyeol, he used Chinjo(親朝, royal trip to Yuan) actively. At the seat that he met with the emperor, he asked the emperor directly to solve the current problems in Goryeo, making firm his position as the supreme ruler of Goryeo. King Chungseon, who had been once dethroned, realized that he had to consolidate the relation with Yuan to maintain the position as Goryeo king. So, while he was staying in Yuan, King Chungseon made Sugwi(宿衛, guarding the emperor) faithfully. And, after he restored his kingship, he kept on staying in Yuan and ruled Goryeo remotely. Through this, he tried to maintain his kingship in Goryeo and weaken the rule of Yuan Dynasty to Goryeo.
King Chungnyeol’s Chinjo and King Chungseon’s in-Yuan governing brought out the problem of political vacancy in Goryeo that the supreme leader of government was out of position. Therefore, during the Yuan interference days, they needed a new political system that could cover the political vacancy due to the absence of king.
One axis of government to cover the political vacancy of king was Dopyeonguisasa(都評議使司). King Chungnyeol needed his representative to lead the Goryeo government during his absence for Chinjo. So, he changed the title of Dopyeongmasa to that of Dopyeonguisasa and made it as the organization to discuss all the national problems. Furthermore, unlike the former system that only the king could summoned the meeting, it could be summoned by Jaechus(宰樞, high officials) without king’s order, making the Jaechus participate in the government actively and collaboratively. In case of King Chungseon who carried out the remote ruling in Yuan, while he sent the royal order directly to Dopyeonguisasa for some important national problems and Yuan-related diplomatic issues, he usually trusted Dopyeonguisasa to treat other issues. In this way, he could minimize the political vacancy due to his in-Yuan governing.
In addition to it, another political system to cover the king’s absence was absolutely necessary. Cheomuibu(僉議府) was the main measure to take the role. During the rule of King Chungseon, Cheomuibu was expanded with administrative experts and its function was enhanced. Through this, Cheomuibu came to control the central and local political organizations and its director Cheomui Jeongseung began to control the overall national affairs instead of king. In this way, the king tried to complement the limit that he himself could not rule over the country due to the in-Yuan governing.