A Discussion on the Justification of the Founding of Joseon and Criticism of Heterodoxy by Jeong Do-jeon

Jeong Do-jeon 鄭道傳 is evaluated as a planner and hero of the founding of Joseon 朝鮮. In dramas and liberal arts books, Mencius’ theory of “revolution” is presented as the basis for justifying the founding of Joseon. For this reason, the justification for the founding of Joseon appears to have been proven, making it seem like a matter that no longer requires further discussion. However, when examining the literature dealing with the founding of Joseon, the existing Sambongjip 三峯集 does not use revolution in relation to the founding of Joseon. Here, we can ask the following questions to the protagonist of the founding, namely Jeong Do-jeon. “How do you explain the series of events of the destruction of Goryeo 高麗 and the founding of Joseon?” and “How do you justify the founding of Joseon?” This is not limited to his thoughts, but also focuses on his work of justifying the founding of Joseon with documents. This article discusses Jeong Do-jeon’s arguments, made around the founding of Joseon, regardidng what scholar-officials needed to do for Confucianism to properly fulfill its role in Goryeo society. Next, I would like to look at the context in which Jeong Do-jeon asserts the legitimacy of the founding of Joseon. Through this, I would like to clarify that ‘establishing a country’ is justified by concepts such as “establishing the Eastern Zhou” (爲東周) in the Analects and “innovation” (維新) or “politics of innovation” (維新之治) in the Classic of Poetry (詩經).