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Changes in the Gyeongyeon(經筵) institution, in the ending days of Goryeo

  • The Review of Korean History
  • 2009, (93), pp.49-87
  • Publisher : The Historical Society Of Korea
  • Research Area : Humanities > History

Hoonpyo Yoon 1

1연세대학교

Accredited

ABSTRACT

Gyeongyeon(royal classes, with the King and the vassals in attendance) was first initiated during the reign of King Yaejong(睿宗), yet the practice was halted several times, due to political turbulences. King Gongmin-wang(恭愍王), who displayed a lot of reform efforts during his reign, attempted to open Gyeongyeon classes as frequently as possible. Yet clashes of opinions with the ministers and other officials prevented him from doing so. Things did not get any better during the reign of his successor, King Wu-wang(禑王). In the early days of his reign, Gyeongyeon classes were held, yet not so consistently. Yet the situation changed rapidly with Lee Seong Gyae(李成桂)'s return from Wihwa-do(威化島), which triggered a subsequent regime change. The radical reformists who seized control of the government pushed for changes in the Gyeongyeon institution, as part of their full-scale reform plans of the government. Most of all, ranks and assignments(職制) for the officials to participate in Gyeongyeon, and the texts and contents to be lectured in those classes, were revised. Due to these changes, the authority of Gyeongyeon classes was escalated, and the formal title of the institution was restored, during the reign of King Gongyang-wang(恭讓王). And later, the administrative system for the personnel in charge of Gyeongyeon(經筵官) was reinforced again. With all the renovation of the administrative aspects of the Gyeongyeon institution, the quality of the lectures were enhanced as well. Both radical and moderate reformists attended the classes, and actively presented their positions. They were in agreement regarding the necessity of a systemic reform, yet they considerably differed in both their objective and their direction. That led to a heightened frequency of Gyeongyeon classes more than ever, and discussions made in those gatherings, held in the era of King Gongyang-wang, eventually determined the fate of the dynasty. Considerable changes in terms of both formats and contents were made with the institutional reforms that accompanied systemic governmental changes, and marked a huge step forward in the history of the Gyeongyeon classes' institutional development.

Citation status

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