Yi Jun-Gyeong’s Persecution and Perception of Bungdang Parties

Abstract

In this article, the life of Yi Jun-Gyeong, who was one of the most important governmental officials in the 16th century, and his ideas on the Bungdang parties which were newly forming at the time, are examined. Also examined is the fact that he was embroiled in all the political purges(被禍). He was a prominent governmental figure, so his experiences with the Bungdang related political affairs and incidents might let us know not only his ideas of the Bungdang parties, but also new approaches that should be taken by today’s scholars who have been examining this particular time period. The time of Yi Jun-Gyeong was the time of political “Sa’hwa” purges, and was also a time of preparation for the advent of “Bungdang” parties. An entirely new situation, different from the 15th century when strong kings were exercising their leadership, was coming. Yi Jun-Gyeong came from one of the most formidable houses(“鉅族”) of the Joseon dynasty’s early half period, but his house was embroiled in all four political purges, and was put in serious plight particularly during the purge of the Gabja-year. Yi Jun-Gyeong himself was also implicated. His position was terminated and he himself was sent to exile, because of the purges in the Gi’myo-year and Eulsa-year. Before his death, he left a Yucha(遺箚, a deathbed appeal to the king) to King Seonjo, imploring that the king eliminate the Bungdang parties. His concern was that lowly, misguided figures could enter and deteriorate the government in the wake of all these Bungdang parties diverging. In essence, it was not a position contradictory to the ideas of newcomers like Yi Ih regarding the Bungdang parties. Through Yi Jun-Gyeong’s life and his thoughts upon the Bungdang parties, we can see that political purges were not only affecting Kim Jong-Jik, Jo Gwang-Jo and their disciples but also prominent political figures inside the government such as Yi Jun-Gyeong, and both the senior officials and political newcomers were sharing a certain thought concerning the formation of Bungdang parties, in the early days of king Seonjo’s reign.