The Joseon Dynasty was built on a revolutionary ideology that made even kings respond directly to public petitions. Discover how this shaped Korea’s civil service culture.👇
1. Ideological Foundations of the Joseon Dynasty
Joseon was not merely a monarchy; it was an ideological state founded by scholar-officials. Its guiding principle was *minbon* (people-oriented governance), making it revolutionary in its time. While modern Korea functions within Western political and economic systems, at its core, the cultural DNA remains deeply influenced by Joseon’s foundational philosophies.
1.1. The System of “Gyeokjaeng”: Petitions to the King
In early Joseon, citizens were allowed to directly submit grievances to the king—a practice called *gyeokjaeng*. This involved physically blocking the king’s procession and making noise with gongs to gain his attention.
Even powerful monarchs like King Jeongjo were not immune; records show he suffered lifelong stress from constantly dealing with these petitions. Once a complaint was submitted, it had to be resolved and documented. Ignoring it was not an option because the ideological framework of Joseon demanded accountability from the top down.
1.2. Local Magistrates and Public Expectations
The *sato*, or local magistrate, also had to process all complaints seriously—no matter how trivial. For example, some citizens filed complaints that their spouses were not fulfilling marital obligations. Magistrates were expected to either mediate or resolve such issues, including issuing divorces or punishing negligent partners.
These practices underscore that Joseon was a state fundamentally established for its people. In contrast, modern Korean citizens may not always recognize the historical depth of their right to demand better governance, though such expectations remain high—particularly toward public servants. This legacy has contributed to Korea’s globally recognized administrative efficiency today.
1.3. People's Perception in Early Joseon
The *gyeokjaeng* practices date back to the earliest days of Joseon, during the reigns of King Taejong and King Sejong. What’s remarkable is that many of the people who filed petitions were former Goryeo citizens, indicating a quick public recognition that Joseon was a new kind of state—one that placed the welfare of its people first.
Unlike in Goryeo, where challenging the royal procession could lead to death, Joseon citizens understood they could directly confront the king because the new state was created for them. While monarchs technically owned all land in the country under feudal norms, Joseon flipped this idea symbolically—the king was the “father of the people,” and the people were his “children.” This represented a significant ideological leap forward.
1.4. Power of Scholar-Officials Over the Throne
Joseon was established by *sadaebu* (scholar-officials), not by royal authority alone. Jeong Do-jeon, a prominent ideologue, used Yi Seong-gye’s military power to found the state but ensured that power remained in the hands of the literati class.
Even King Taejong, who tried to assert royal authority, could not overturn the foundational structure: the king ruled under constant scrutiny and had to approve decisions within a bureaucratic system tightly controlled by the *sadaebu*. Over 500 years, this framework never disappeared—Joseon remained a country of ministers, not monarchs.
Why all this complexity? Because it aimed to serve the people. The point of limiting royal power, enforcing petition systems, and regulating governance was to ensure the well-being of ordinary citizens. Thus, Joseon can be described as a government “by the scholars, of the king, for the people.”
2. Implications for Modern Korea
Though Joseon existed centuries ago, its foundational ideals echo in modern South Korea. The expectation that public servants must serve, that citizens have the right to complain, and that governance is a duty—not privilege—originates from this ideological legacy.
The result is a uniquely Korean civic culture: skeptical of power, vocal in criticism, and insistent on high standards of public service. These attitudes did not arise in a vacuum—they are the outcome of historical experiences where even kings were public servants.
3. Conclusion: Kings as Civil Servants
In the Joseon Dynasty, the king was not simply a sovereign. He was accountable to the people—obligated to hear them, respond, and act. The practice of *gyeokjaeng* exemplifies how deeply embedded the value of public service was in Joseon’s governance. It’s no exaggeration to say that Joseon was a nation where the monarch, like today’s civil servants, was often overwhelmed by the voices of the people—and that this legacy still influences Korean society today.
