The Way of Receiving Che-A-Jik and its Function in the Early Chosŏn

Abstract

The Che-a-jik(遞兒職) was a kind of position for officials including soldiers who had no regular official stipend, Nok-bong(祿俸). They could get the official stipend in turn by holding the Che-a-jik. Every official posts could be distributed as the Che-a-jik, if only the post had its own stipend finances. The military position was the typical case. In addition to military officialdom, however, even miscellaneous technical post with its own financial allowance could be used as Che-a-jik.<BR> The Che-a-jik was a convenient office title, through which several public officials could get their official stipend in turn for one vacant position. In so doing, the government could cut down on expenses for official stipend.<BR> The Che-a-jik, as vacant office post held by several incumbents or standbys simultaneously, was helpful for relieving the problem of public post shortage and reducing government expenditure. Officials, expecting to hold Che-a-jik, were encouraged to do their jobs more sincerely and earnestly. This post could also be conferred as a reward for exemplary or meritorious services. After the law Jik-Jeon Beob(職田法), restricting the tax collection rights only to the current office holders, was implemented in 1466(Sejo 12: 世祖 12年), the Che-A-Jik remained the only way of compensating San-Guan.