[Bbanggubneun Tajagi] Even King Sejong Struggled... The Long and Difficult Path of a Wise Ruler

[Asia Economy Reporter Hyunwoo Lee] In Korean history textbooks and the collective consciousness of Koreans, King Sejong is portrayed as a perfect monarch, and the era he ruled is considered the most exemplary reign. He is the only monarch to hold the title of ‘Seonggun (聖君)’, meaning a sage king.

Sejong is depicted as a figure excelling in culture, science, and national defense, and he left behind the great achievement of creating Hangul, the Korean alphabet, earning him the title of the nation’s teacher. The reason Teacher’s Day is celebrated on May 15, Sejong’s birthday, is to honor his accomplishment in creating Hangul.

Conversely, Sejong’s numerous achievements also reveal that the environment he faced as a monarch was far from easy. All his accomplishments were aimed at overcoming the various political upheavals experienced by the newly established Joseon dynasty.

His achievements were driven by the challenges of the time: northern expansion initiated to fend off invasions by the Jurchen tribes, the invention of the rain gauge and various astronomical instruments to overcome prolonged droughts and resulting financial difficulties, and the creation of Hangul to eliminate injustices in numerous lawsuits that arose during the dynastic transition.

Confessions of Sejong: It Was Hard to Be a King deals with the various political agonies King Sejong experienced as a political leader. The author, an expert in political diplomacy, analyzes Sejong’s policies from a political science perspective and shows how deeply he deliberated before making decisions on numerous political challenges. The book focuses especially on the political turmoil and anguish Sejong endured after displacing his elder brother, Prince Yangnyeong, who had long been crown prince, becoming crown prince himself, and ascending the throne just two months later.

The book also explains the complex geopolitical situation surrounding the Joseon dynasty during Sejong’s reign. It describes the Ming dynasty’s prolonged war with the Mongols to the north, the ongoing political and diplomatic tensions between Joseon and Ming since the early days of Joseon’s founding, and the repeated invasions by Japanese pirates, all of which continuously demanded political decisions from Sejong. It also details the various political and economic difficulties arising from Korea’s first northern immigration policy, known as northern expansion.

The author argues that the most powerful political weapon of the sage king Sejong was his ‘persistence’?the courage to face failure without fear, to confront challenges head-on, to meticulously record everything, and to constantly review and improve. His persistence and relentless determination to hold continuous meetings with officials, derive alternatives, and make improvements were the foundation of his exemplary reign.

In this regard, this book is recommended not so much for those who already have extensive knowledge of history and seek new facts or entertainment, but for those looking to find the archetype of suitable leadership as organizational leaders.

Confessions of Sejong: It Was Hard to Be a King | Song Jaehyuk | Pureun History | 408 pages | 22,000 KRW