합설 의정부의 “문부(文簿) 거행(擧行)” 체계

The phrase “Processing[擧行] a Document[文簿]” refers to all general actions involving the creation, management and circulation of documents or printed compilations. All offices, in the performance of their duties, are required to process documents. In the Joseon system as well, which aimed for a centralized governing of the country, document processing was the beginning and end of the very governance of the dynasty. In the early half of the 19th century, the power and influence of the Euijeong-bu(議政府) and Bibyeon-sa(備邊司) offices, which were the highest ranking ones in charge, were also reflected in the task of ‘processing documents.’ Primary management was done by the Bibyeon-sa office. The roles and functions of both Euijeong-bu and Bibyeon-sa offices were defined in 「Bunjang Jeolmok(分掌節目)」, issued in February of the first year of king Gojong’s reign, then later in 「Chetong Yeon’hyeok Byeoldan(體統沿革別單)」, which was issued in March of the king’s second year, and then finally in Yukjeon Jorye(六典條例), which was declared in the king’s fourth year. The task of processing documents were overseen by the Bibyeon-sa office during the 「Bunjang Jeolmok」 stage, and later the task was overseen by the Gongsa-saek(公事色) office during the 「Chetong Yeon’hyeok Byeoldan」 stage, when the Bibyeon-sa office was merged with Euijeong-bu. But the late Euijeong-bu was also partially functioning in that regard. In Yukjeon Jorye, it was dictated that all document processing should be overseen by the Yusa Dangsang(有司堂上) officials alone. Such directive was a departure from the 「Chetong Yeon’hyeok Byeoldan」 stage, in which document processing was done by the new office’s Gongsa-saek branch, as it inherited those functions from the late Bibyeon-sa office, as well as the late Euijeong-bu portion. As time passed, the Chanseong(贊成) and Chamchan(參贊) figures(the so-called East and West Walls[東·西壁]) joined the Yusa Dangsang figures in the process, and sometimes even assumed the role of Yusa Dangsang figures themselves. This led to a truly unified process of document processing, and also to the office itself settling down as a unified entity the Merged Euijeong-bu office initially aspired to be. With this evolution, the Merged Euijeong-bu office finally became the highest ranking office inside the Joseon government and the most influential one as well. How it managed to control the government, and shaped things that were to come in the political arena, should be further examined in future studies.