Seoin and Namin Factional Strife Recorded in Loyalty Oath Document to Become National Treasure

Treasure No. 1513 '20 Gongsin Oath - Bosagongsin Nokhunhu' Elevated to National Treasure
"Overwhelming Size and Outstanding Artistic Excellence Unmatched in History"

Joseon King Sukjong conducted the Hoemaengje (會盟祭) on August 30, 1680. It was a ritual performed with meritorious subjects to honor the gods of heaven and earth. Twenty generations of meritorious subjects and their descendants attended to pledge loyalty to the king. Out of 489 eligible attendees, 412 were present.

'20Gongsin Hoemaengchuk - Bosagongsin Nokhunhu' is a document created in 1694 by the Nokhundogam (復勳都監, a temporary government office established to confer titles of merit to those who served the country) to commemorate the Hoemaengje. The fact that it was produced 14 years later is due to several political incidents that occurred during King Sukjong's reign.

The Seoin faction rose to power and became meritorious subjects following the Gyeongsin Hwanguk (庚申換局) in 1680, which led to the fall of the Namin faction. However, in 1689, when King Sukjong's queen consort, Hee Ban Jangssi, gave birth to a crown prince, the Namin faction regained power and stripped the Seoin of their meritorious titles. This event is called the Gisa Hwanguk (己巳換局). The Seoin regained power in 1694 through the Gapsul Hwanguk (甲戌換局). The Namin faction suffered after opposing the restoration movement of the deposed Queen Min (Inhyeon Wanghu).

The Seoin faction restored their meritorious status. Titles of Bosagongsin were conferred upon Kim Manki, Kim Seokju, Lee Ipshin, Nam Dubuk, Jeong Wonro, and Park Bin. The '20Gongsin Hoemaengchuk - Bosagongsin Nokhunhu' records the historical circumstances of the conferment and revocation of meritorious titles up to that time. It consists of the Hoemaengmun (會盟文), a memorial text presented to the ancestral shrine and the state altar during the Hoemaengje, the Hoemaengrok (會盟錄), which lists 489 meritorious subjects and their descendants, and congratulatory and ritual texts offered at Jongmyo Shrine. At the end, the reason for creation and the date are noted, and the royal seal called 'Simyeongjibo (施命之寶)' is stamped, giving it the formality of a royal document.

On the 7th, the Cultural Heritage Administration announced the preliminary designation of this artifact, Treasure No. 1513, as a National Treasure. An official explained, "It is a historical source that shows the chaotic situation caused by the political strife between the Seoin and Namin factions, with high historical and academic value. It also possesses overwhelming size and excellent artistry, unprecedented in its kind."

The '20Gongsin Hoemaengchuk - Bosagongsin Nokhunhu' measures 25 meters in length. Red lines are drawn horizontally and vertically on pale yellow silk, with text written inside the grid. The ends of the document are overlaid with red and blue silk, and the top and bottom are finished with jade-decorated scroll rods. An official said, "As a document intended for the king's direct viewing, it gives a splendid yet neat impression," adding, "The accompanying Nokhundogam Uigwe (錄勳都監儀軌), a record detailing the production process, adds further significance."

So far, three Hoemaengchuk documents are confirmed to exist in literature, including those made in 1646 (24th year of King Injo) and 1728 (4th year of King Yeongjo). The one made during King Yeongjo's reign has not been found in physical form, and the '20Gongsin Hoemaengchuk - Yeongguk Gongsin Nokhunhu' (Treasure No. 1512) from King Injo's time lacks the royal seal. An official stated, "The '20Gongsin Hoemaengchuk - Bosagongsin Nokhunhu' is the only surviving Hoemaengchuk that is both for royal viewing and fully retains its form and content."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.