The Origins of the Choson Dynasty

Scholars have long held that Korea’s Choson dynasty (1392-1910) was established by a new socioeconomic class of scholar-officials of local-landlord origins who overthrew the capital-based aristocracy of the Koryo dynasty (918–1392). The Origins of the Choson Dynasty refutes that view, showing that a key feature of the dynastic transition was continuity in the structure and composition of the central ruling class and arguing that the main force behind the establishment of the Choson was the need to revamp institutions to protect aristocratic interests. The change of dynasties thus was less a revolution than a culmination of a centuries-old effort to create a centralized bureaucratic polity.

Drawing on a wealth of data compiled from primary sources and presented here in 26 tables and 10 genealogical charts, The Origins of the Choson Dynasty provides an exhaustive analysis of the structure and composition of the central officialdom of the Koryo-Choson transition and offers a new interpretation of the history of traditional Korea.

List of Tables

List of Genealogical Charts

Acknowledgments

Introduction

1. The Koryo Political System

2. The Rise of a Central Bureaucratic Aristocracy

3. The Yangban in the Change of Dynasties

4. Institutional Crisis in the Late Koryo

5. Reform and Dynastic Change

6. The Ideology of Reform

7. Some Final Considerations

Notes

Korean Dynasties and Kings

Glossary of Korean, Chinese, and Japanese Terms

Bibliography

Index

Tables

1.1 Concurrent Appointments, 981–1069 and 1070–1146

2.1 Descent Structure of the Central Bureaucracy, 981–1146

2.2 Most Powerful Descent Groups, 981–1146

2.3 Descent Groups with Multiple Sons in Office, 1070–1146

2.4 Comparison of Descent Groups, 981–1069 and 1070–1146

2.5 Descent Structure of the Central Bureaucracy, 1260–1392

2.6 Most Powerful Descent Groups of the Late Koryo

2.7 Examination-Graduate Officials, 1260–1392

3.1 Grade Structure at the Beginning of the Choson

3.2 Distribution of Officials by Branch and Grade, 1392–1400

3.3 Descent Structure of the Central Bureaucracy, 1392–1400

3.4 Most Powerful Descent Groups under T’aejo and Chongjong

3.5 Descent Structure of the Central Bureaucracy, 1401–5

3.6 Most Powerful Descent Groups under T’aejong, 1401–5

3.7 Most Powerful Descent Groups, 1392–1405

3.8 Status of Powerful Choson Descent Groups in the Late Koryo

3.9 Descent Groups New to the Central Bureaucracy, Late Koryo–Early Choson

3.10 Status of Fallen Late Koryo Great Descent Groups

3.11 Intermarriage among the Top Ten Descent Groups, Late Thirteenth and Fourteenth Centuries

3.12 Descent Structure of the Central Bureaucracy, 1430–32

3.13 Descent Structure of the Central Bureaucracy, 1455–57

3.14 Most Powerful Descent Groups, 1430–32 and 1455–57

3.15 Descent Groups with the Most Examination Graduates, 1392–1592

4.1 Levels of Todang Activity, 1279–1351

4.2 Levels of Todang Activity, 1351–88

5.1 Consolidated Army Command Officials, 1393–98

Tables

Genealogical Charts

Hwangnyo Min

Andong Kwon

P’ap’yong Yun

Munhwa Yu

Andong Kim

Chuksan Pak

Kyongju Yi

P’yongyang Cho

Ch’ongju Han

Chonju Ch’oe