VI.

Joseon: Rise of a New Dynasty, the Beginning of New Traditions

1) Joseon Designates Hanyang as the Capital for a New Dynasty
a. The Meeting of Yi Seong-gye and Jeong Do-jeon
i. Military expand its political influence and power
1. due to central governments endowment of officer positions and
permission to train private army
ii. Yi Seong-gye () was very influential in the northeast
1. Has exceptional talents in military and won many battles
2. but his political influence was held back due to his origin (border area)
3. dreaming of a revolution
iii. Yi allied with Jeong Do-jeon ()
1. Newcomer to government, pursuing overall reform (similar with Yis
dream)
2. Under Yi and Jeong, military and scholars joined forces
3. They forge an impressive presence
iv. Yi Seong-gye refused to obey the Kings order
1. In 1388, an order to attack Liaodong region was refused by Yi.
2. Instead, he lead the coup of the kingdom
3. Succeed in seizing power and took control of the government
b. The New Dynasty is Named Joseon, and the Capital is Moved to Hanyang
i. In 1392, Joseon was formed and the leaders of the reform elected Yi Seonggye (King Taejo) as their new king.
ii. Renamed the kingdom to Joseon for several reasons:
1. Proclaim that the new dynasty was a proud successor to Gojoseon and
history of Korean peninsula was as long as the Chinese
2. Let it be known to others that Koreans had always believed in Confucian
philosophies uphold by Gojoseon
iii. Capital moved to Hanyang (now Seoul) due to strategic location
c. From Buddhism to Confucianism
i. King Taejo and his son (King Taejong) established basis of Joseon Dynasty
based on Confucian ideas
1. People should show absolute loyalty to their king
2. A king is a representative of the heaven
3. People are the foundation of a dynasty
4. King must do his best to be ethical and respectable when ruling the
people
ii. Rights of government officials to express their opinions were ensued
1. High level of autonomy and discretion was granted
2. New offices were established to monitor the King
iii. Promoting Confucian learning publicly, while opposing and criticizing Buddhism
1. Confucian education was promoted throughout the country
2. Buddhism was disenfranchised, yet many believers still keep their faith
d. Yangban rules the Confucian Society
i. Elites were recruited to government through civil service examination
1. The most important exam among the other two (military and technician
examination)
2. Anyone eligible to take the test, except the slaves
3. Common people lack wealth and resource to prepare for the exam,
4. The high class people (Yangban) were able to pass the exam due to
their wealth and extensive preparation; they received education to serve
in governmental posts early.
5. Most secure way for the Yangban to become governmental officials

2) Joseons Expansion of Its Northern Border

a. Joseon and Ming Maintain a Tributary-Investiture Relationship
i. Joseon and Ming exchanged gifts and envoys several times a year
ii. Whenever a new king was enthroned, Joseon always notify Ming and vice versa
iii. Tributary-Investiture relationship
iv. Avoid war and do not intervene with each others internal affairs
b. Joseon Expands its Northern Border
i. By the year of 1343, Joseon had succeeded in extending its territory up north
to Dumangang (Tumen) river
ii. Dispute with Ming over the area of Manchuria, which was governed by the
Jurchen tribes
1. Joseons intention: integrating Manchuria without provoking Ming
iii. Joseon build fortress and cultivate farms along the border area (Amnokgang
Riv. and Dumangang Riv.) in order to secure the territory
1. People from the south were migrated toward these border areas
2. These migrated people suffered great burden living north due to
hardship in cultivating farms (abrasive environment) and their defense
effort to protect Joseon
c. Border Line of Modern Korea is Determined
i. Joseons attempt to protect the northern border from Jurchens attack were
successful
ii. Firm border line which separate Joseon to other nation was established
1. Amnokgang and Dumangang
2. Serve as Koreas border until now
iii. Joseon succeeded in protecting its southern territory from the Japanese
1. Bilateral agreements and official trades between Joseon and Wae
(Japanese)

3) The Korean Alphabet Han-geul is Invented

a. Reason of Hangeul Invention
i. Chinese characters were too hard to be learned by common people
ii. New 28 letters were invented by King Sejong (4th king of Joseon) and his
scholars
1. Hunminjeongeum () [meaning: The Correct/Proper Sounds for the
Instruction of the People]

2. Phonetic letters which could represent all possible sounds of spoken

Korean
3. Simply combining consonant and vowels
b. The New Alphabet Becomes Widely Used in Society
i. Resistance of the usage from highly-ranked officials
1. Using Hangeul is a hinders the learning process of Confucian texts
(written in Chinese)
2. Chinese characters were still considered as official letters until 19th
century
ii. Hangeul was accepted by the people due to easiness and effectiveness
1. Played role in the development of Korean culture
2. Prevailed as the letters of the people
c. Joseons Technological Advancement
i. People are the foundation of a dynasty
1. King Sejongs new policy enhanced many peoples life
2. Peoples creative attempt to develop new technology was promoted
ii. Scientific research was highly supported by the government
1. Cheugugi (Rain gauger), Jagyeokryu (water clock), Shingijeon
(explosive arrow), Angbu Ilgu (Sundial), and many more were invented
iii. Hangeul invention by Sejong the Great played major role in these advancement