Problems in Research on King Chŏngjo and the Chŏngjo Era

Chŏngjo and Kyujanggak: The "Kyujanggak Collection"

I would first like to congratulate the Seoul National University Kyujanggak Institute for Korean Studies for holding this international academic conference in conjunction with this year's special exhibition. It is an honor to give the keynote speech, but also a great burden. I have been a beneficiary of Kyujanggak for over forty years, since the "Kyujanggak collection" moved from Tongsungtong to Seoul National University's Kwanak campus. I am embarrassed to say, I do not think the work I produced over these years is commensurate to such generosity. This feeling only intensifies when I think of the scope and aspiration of the new framework of government administration Chŏngjo had in mind when he established Kyujanggak anew in the rear garden (huwŏn) of Ch'angdŏk Palace more than 240 years ago.

In the time of the Three Dynasties [samdae 三代; Xia, Shang, and Zhou Dynasties], because pedagogical virtue [sado 師道] was supreme, governance was magnificent and customs were beautiful, and the world was benevolent. Subsequent to the time of the Three Dynasties, because pedagogical virtue was subordinate, hollow words were unhelpful and times in which governance prevailed were ever rare. If a sage stimulates and encourages [his pupils] and assumes the duty of a sagely king [kunsa 君師], leading with virtue and uniformly practicing propriety, the world will then be as the one in the time of the Three Dynasties. Thus, changes that take days will be but a matter of instants. While I am without virtue, with regard to benevolence, I will not yield my place as teacher [sa 師].

"Those of the first class do not yield to others and say they will be in the second class." These are Cheng Yi's words, which I have already taken to heart. What I desire is to be in the first class. (Written by Wŏnim chikchehak Sŏ Yongbo in the chŏngsa year [Chŏngjo 21; 1797], "Iltŭngnok" 日得錄 [Records of daily achievements], Hunŏ 訓語 [words of instruction], Hongjae chŏnsŏ 弘齋全書 [Complete works of Hongjae], vol. 176)

At the outset of his reign, Chŏngjo established Kyujanggak to compile the documents of his predecessors and "books of the world." Bringing together talented individuals, Kyujanggak served as the cradle of policy and as a space for scholarly pursuit. Sometimes referred to as the "Scholar Monarch" (Hakcha kunju),¹ Chŏngjo referred to himself as "Sovereign Teacher" (kunsa 君師), aspiring to realize the ideal politics of samdae 三代 and the Chinese principle of Uhyŏn chwach'ŏk 右賢左戚, which prioritized the selection of officials based on capability rather than family ties. The basis for this ambition was academic pride. As the passage above clearly conveys, when it came to scholarship, he resolved to have no equal. In fact, he was unmatched in his reading and writing of difficult texts. This was a teacher who "encouraged" his students.

There is not one insignificant document among Kyujanggak's many historical materials revealing the scope and orientation of Chŏngjo's administration. These materials show Chosŏn society at its peak and the ways the king and his ministers thought about and dealt with prevailing problems. Currently, the "Kyujanggak collection," which includes materials pertaining not only to state administration of the Chŏngjo era but also subsequent eras, is carefully arranged and categorized by type. The utility of these materials is boundless not only for scholars but also society as a whole.

This utility has improved remarkably through the efforts of SNU professors, researchers, administrators, and related institutions since the establishment of the Kyujanggak Collection Committee (Kyujanggak tosŏ wiwŏnhoe) in 1962.² This is certainly a positive development. It also means, however, I am left with very little to say today. Furthermore, I cannot say I have ever researched in depth topics such as "Chosŏn's Topography of Learning during King Chŏngjo's Reign" or "Chŏngjo's Life and Scholarship through Ŏjŏngsŏ and Myŏngch'ansŏ."³ I worry, then, that what I have to say may be a bit...