세종의 여성 성(性)인식과 동성애의 처벌

Abstract

The purpose of this study is to examine King Sejong's female gender consciousness and punishment of homosexuals by focusing on the case of Crown Princess Bong. In King Sejong's era, Confucianism was expected to be widespread throughout the public as well as the royal family and the upper-class families. The King wanted to ensure Confucianism, which was the ideological framework of the dynasty, completely pervade the society of Joseon Dynasty. The researcher of this study concentrates on the publication and distribution of 'Sohak' and 'Samganghaengsildo', which are scriptures of Confucianism. Through these two books, it can be better understood how the educated of that era perceived women. 'Sohak' is compilation book comprised of various scriptures through which Confucian philosophy and thoughts are integrated. This book explains the behaviors, conduct, and perspective that the women in a Confucian society must possess and express from a foundational basis, and from this book, we can identify sexual regulations imposed upon women in the patriarchal system of the era. From the section pertaining to the virtuous woman of 'Samganhaengsildo,' we can better understand how the women's sexuality was regulated at the national level in Joseon Dynasty. Women at that time were forced to be desexualized, maintain their chastity, and live out the remainder of their life as a widow, remaining faithful to their deceased husbands should those husbands pass away before their wives. This is a type of heavy-handedness and violent approach of the men and the nation against women as an establishment of an improper model. The case of Crown Princess Bong is about a homosexual relationship between Crown Princess Bong and Sossang, a court lady maid of honor. King Sejong was vehemently against homosexuality and even issued the ban for punishing homosexuals among court ladies in person. However, he could not apply this ban to his wife, the Crown Princess Bong. King Sejong did not want keep a record of this case and used the seven valid causes, including disobedience, jealousy, sexual immorality, and theft, as the reason for his divorce from Crown Princess Bong. This case may be considered as an actual example where Confucian ideology applies as we examined above. In addition, this study focuses on King Sejong's prohibition order and examines the level of punishment against homosexuals compared with the one described in the section of 'Daemyeongryuljikhae' related to adultery. At that time, the punishments for homosexuals were at a similar level of severity to the ones for general sexual crimes. Through this study, the researcher would like to ultimately examine certain members of Korean society and hopes the readers take this opportunity to gain a new perspective on the Joseon Dynasty.