李若氷의 정치활동과 왕도정치론

Abstract

Lee Yak-bing's(1489~1547) recognition of realities and management plans for the political situation were as follows. Lee Yak-bing insisted that a ruler should stop increasing private properties and practice confucian memorial services. In addition, he suggested that the ruler should try for stabilization of public welfare by activating distribution economy by having Jeohwa(currency was printed on paper) as basic currency, earnestly conducting ritual for rain, stopping the removal of common houses, and executing sentences carefully. After 1518, Lee Yak-bing was expelled from the political circle for organizing a political clique by resistance of Meritorious Elite(Hungu) since he introduced Hyeollyankwa(examination for the learned and virtuous) for recruiting competent civil servants and recommended his followers for important governmental positions. Later, he had taught Confucian scholars in Cheongju and was again appointed to an important government post after 19 years. He got high scores in recite Four Books and Five Classics of China and composing such chinese literary forms and was selected as a reception official for envoys from the Ming Dynasty. And he also claimed that revival of memorial services for Danjong and Yeonsangun, appointing adopted sons succeeding them, and the dethronement of Yeonsangun should be reported to China. However, he was killed because of a poster accident at Yangjae Station during King Myeongjong. He thought that both the king and ministers should govern the nation together. The king should devote himself to political affairs and both the king and ministers should do their best to overcome difficulties caused by natural disasters. In addition, the king has to Gyeongyeon as often as possible for improvement of scholarship, in particular, has to discuss the whole political affairs with ministers. He also claimed that the king should cultivate own political eyes through studying hard. He said that the queen should participate in bringing up the Crown Prince and a scholar eminent in both learning and virtue should be responsible for education of the Crown Prince. Moreover, he said that the king should give considerations so that wise scholars and the Crown Prince have intimate relationship. He also insisted that the king should try to enhance school education, the center of enlightenment of people and cultivation of men of ability, and increase morale by selecting the head of the National Confucian academy(Seonggyungwan). He also claimed that ministers should prepare the foundation for realization of kingcraft politics through fair selection and withdrawal of officials and accept distinguished men out of office by actively using a recommendation system. He also suggested that politics based on public opinion should be conducted by collecting opinions from as many people as possible through opening various ways to express their opinions. In addition, he claimed that officail of the Inspector General can criticize the political issues of the day. Although Lee Yak-bing's life was ruined due to realistic barriers while claiming the realization of kingcraft politics in which the king, the lieges and ministers with thorough Neo-Confucian values lead the operation of political affairs, a new possibility of realizing his dream was created in the advent of the era of the Neo-Confucian Literati(Sarim) politics.