The Beginnings of Joseon’s ‘Enlightenment’: The Guidance of King Gojong by the ‘Enlightenment Group’ in His Early Reign, Analyzing the Ideological Foundations of the Contemporary Affairs Reformers

In modern Korean history, GaeHwa (“Enlightenment”) has long been equated with “Western-style modernization.” Similarly, the GaeHwaPa (“Enlightenment Group”) has been understood as those who aimed to adopt advanced Western culture. However, the “enlightenment policies” of the Joseon government in the 1880s, following the opening of ports in 1876, were not simply directed at Western-style modernization. Examining the lectures of the Shimugaehyeok (Reformers of Current Affairs) group, led by Park Gyu-su, often considered the founder of the GaeHwaPa, sheds light on the roots of Joseon’s reform policies in the late 19th century, which were actually far removed from pursuing Western modernity. The core of the king’s education that they aimed to impart to King Gojong was the ideal of a virtuous ruler grounded in Neo-Confucian values. Emphasizing the importance of communication and consultation between the ruler and officials, they conveyed principles of governance centered on respect for the people, critique of aggressive pursuits of national wealth and military power, and the establishment of trustworthy foreign relations. Their proposals reflected a deep confidence in Joseon’s civilization and advocated traditional governance methods. This approach stands in stark contrast to the GaeHwaPa often praised for a Western-modernization orientation. In the 20th century, amid the rise of imperialism, Joseon’s traditions were frequently dismissed as naive or ineffective. However, their legacy deserves renewed recognition, as their solutions to contemporary issues were largely effective and remain relevant to the fundamental ordering of society in any era.