GGHS 박이○

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A Psychological Perspective of the Military Coup in Goryeo (武臣政權)

Background of the military coup

Since the reign of King Seongjong (981-997), the system was reorganized based on Confucian political ideology, so the literati(文人) principles were strengthened. As a result, the literati took the leadership on the political stage, and a distinguished family was formed by them. The noble families developed a sense of discrimination that was distinct from other groups, and expressed it in human and social relationships. This was mainly expressed in terms of pride and arrogance, and the direct victims of this discrimination were mainly the warriors (武人). These acts hurt the warriors' feelings and so they developed a victim mentality, or inferiority complex. Having no study abilities, warriors were excluded from the society led by distinguished literati families. The literati and warriors were socially separated, and the psychological barriers were strengthened. Furthermore, as the discrimination between the literati and warriors could not be overcome anymore, the inferiority complex of the warriors became even more serious. In this situation, when scholars (literati) directly expressed discriminatory behaviors during the reign of King Uijong (1146-1170), the frustration, anger, and inferiority complex grew out of control. This was expressed as an extreme and cruel act on the aristocrats (literati or scholars).

A superiority complex

The literati mainly had a superiority mentality before the military coup. This led to excessive discrimination of warriors and eventually led to the tragedy of being killed by warriors. The superiority complex is usually a false hypnosis of self-efficacy, which shows off false superiority in order to conceal one's inferiority complex.

An inferiority complex

The warriors mainly had a inferiority complex. It eventually led to an military coup. An inferiority complex is characterized repeatedly by positioning itself as inferior to others by comparing itself to others. Alfred Adler, the three greatest master of psychology and founder of personal psychology, said that people with inferiority are not only strong in their will to power but also more likely to attack others.

Solutions

First, it should be understood clearly that both the inferiority complex and the superiority complex are two sides of the same coin. Some people have inferiority complexes in full view, while others have inferiority complexes. Some people have an inferiority complex in full view, while others have superiority complexes. People with inferiority complexes lack confidence, are scared, and are constantly suffering from inferiority complex, actually it means that there is a hidden desire for superiority. In contrast, a person with a superiority complex acts confident and arrogant in everything ,actually it means that there is a hidden inferiority complex in the back. Therefore, it must be understood that the inferiority complex or the superiority complex have this mechanism. Second, if there is an inferiority complex, something must be done to improve it and accept it. It is best to improve the fundamental problem of feeling inferior if it is not a problem of a psychological mechanism. However, if it is a problem that can’t be improved, it needs to be acknowledged and accepted. Lastly,one should not judge himself or herself. Usually, people with this complex tend to generalize something based on something very small. It is necessary to stop doing so because it will only complicate things.

Classical Chinese Translation: Choe U (崔瑀) 's luxurious life in Ganghwa Island

Warriors who came to power after the military coup took this opportunity to abuse power. At the time of Choe U's reign, when Mongolia invaded Goryeo, he moved the capital to Ganghwa island, but a transfer of the capital was unprepared. He even lived a luxurious life in Ganghwa Island, which was no different from life in Kaegyeong, last Goryeos capital. The record of this is written in 『高麗史節要』(고려사절요).

Original text

五月, 崔怡宴宗室司空已上及宰樞於其第. 置彩帛山張羅幃, 中結鞦韆, 飾以文繡綵花, 以八面銀釦貝鈿四大盆, 各盛氷峯, 又四大樽滿揷紅紫芍藥十餘品, 氷花交映, 表裏燦爛. 陳伎樂百戲, 八坊廂工人, 一千三百五十餘人, 皆盛飾, 入庭奏樂, 絃歌館鼓, 轟震天地. 八坊廂各給白銀三斤, 伶官兩部伎女才人, 皆給金帛, 其費鉅萬.

史臣曰，八坊廂者, 國朝之大平盛事也. 今蒙兵侵擾, 竄入海島, 社稷僅存, 實君臣同憂, 若涉淵氷之日也. 而怡乃盜竊國柄, 妄矜侈大, 略無畏忌, 罪固不容誅矣.

『高麗史節要』卷16, 高宗安孝大王 3 乙巳 32年 5月

Korean

(고종32) 5월에 최이(崔怡, ?~1249)가 종실의 사공(司空) 이상과 재추들을 위해 자신의 집에서 연회를 베풀었다. 이때 산처럼 높게 채붕(綵棚)을 세워 비단 휘장을 두르고 가운데는 그네를 매어 문수채화(文繡綵花)로 장식하고, 8면(八面)을 은단추와 자개로 장식한 4개의 큰 동이에 각각 얼음을 산더미처럼 담고, 또 4개의 큰 물통에 붉은 작약과 자줏빛 작약 10여 종을 가득히 꽂았는데, 얼음과 꽃이 서로 비춰 겉과 속에서 찬란한 빛을 발하였다. 그리고 기악과 온갖 잡희를 베풀고, 팔방상(八坊廂)의 공인(工人) 1350여 명이 모두 호화롭게 단장하고 뜰에 들어와 풍악을 연주하니, 거문고와 노래와 북과 피리 소리들이 천지를 진동하였다. 팔방상에게는 각각 백은(白銀) 3근씩을 주고, 영관(伶官)과 양부(兩部)의 기녀(伎女)와 광대에게도 각각 금과 비단을 주니, 그 비용이 엄청났다. 사신(史臣)이 말하기를, “팔방상(八坊廂)이란 것은 나라가 태평하였을 때나 있을 법한 성대한 것이다. 그런데 지금은 몽골군이 침략하여 해도(海島)로 숨어 들어가 사직을 겨우 보전하고 있는 상태로, 진실로 군신이 걱정을 같이하여 마치 연못 위의 엷은 얼음을 밟고 지나가는 것과 같은 상황이었다. 그런데 최이가 나라의 권력을 도둑질하여 망녕스럽게 사치하고 과장하며 조금도 두렵게 생각하거나 거리낌이 없었으니, 그 죄가 진실로 죽어도 용서받을 수 없을 것이다.”라고 하였다.

English-by student 박이소

In the 32nd year of King Gojong's reign, Choe Woo held a banquet in his own house for people high the Royal family and the premiers. It was decorated with a variety of musical instruments and dancers. Furthermore, he distributed white sliver, gold and silk to the lowest class of people, it’s cost was very considerable. The envoy said, "八坊廂 are large as might have been when the country was at peace, but now they are barely surviving due to the invasion of Mongolia. But Choe U steals the power of the nation, and even if he dies, he will not be forgiven. "

Terms

• 文人 (munin): literati
• 武人 (muin): military
  • It was originally translated as 'writers' and 'warriors' by student 박이소.

References

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