正祖 綸音의 印出과 對民보급

Abstract

This is a study on how Chŏngjos yunŭm(綸音, kings message) was effectively published and distributed to the people based on the cooperation system between the central government and the local government in the late Chosŏn period. The cooperation system of the central and foreign government offices in the 18th century had already been established since the early Chosŏn period. The central government entrusted local officials with the management of the printing woodblocks in their workplace and proceeded with book publishing by using local manpower and materials. To effectively utilize this central-local cooperation system, a comprehensive list of woodblocks around the country was compiled, and printing capacities from all over the country were utilized to meet central demand or to spread knowledge to local areas. Movable metal types were suitable for rapid low-volume printing, whereas woodblocks enabled long-term high-volume printing. The central government chose the printing method according to the characteristic of the book to be published considering the advantages and disadvantages of the two printing means. Local authorities tried to reprint the central publications and quickly distribute them to subordinate county and local residents. King Chŏngjo published and distributed the kings message, yunŭm to the common people in the form of a booklet. He used this messages to proactively promote national policies such as saving the hungry people by famine and reducing taxes. In order for the his messages to be transmitted quickly nationwide, he made effective use of the cooperation system of central and local publishing, and translated them into Hangeul so that the lower classes could read it easily. In many cases, the first edition of yunŭm was printed in metal types by the central government. Then the provincial government reprinted the central governments editions, using woodblocks. Finally, each county received the books printed in the provincial office and copied it to the people of each village or read it verbally. The role of the local government was especially great for the nationwide distribution of yunŭm. The central government office, such as Kyosŏgwan(校書館) and Kyujanggak(奎章閣), had only printed hundreds of copies at most. However, when local authorities were working together at the same time, it was possible to print more than a thousand copies quickly. King Chŏngjo always tried to confirm that yunŭm was released without any troubles, and he also paid attention to the reaction of the people who read it. He pursued an aggressive method of governance, seeking consent and empathy with bureaucrats and people through the distribution and publishing of yunŭm, which could then be carried out by the integrated management of the government-led printing system at that time.