통일의 사상적 기반에 대한 율곡학적 모색 = IDEOLOGICAL CONDITIONS OF UNIFICATION AS SEEN FROM THE PERSPECTIVE OF YULGOK

다국어 초록 (Multilingual Abstract)

The reunification of North and South Korea, aimed at resolving the conflict of modern ideologies and systems between the two countries, can be realized by different approaches. This study seeks to resolve the conflict based on Confucianism, or more specifically, the ideology of Yulgok (1536-1584). Peaceful unification between North and South Korea is the most ideal form of reunification. This study is built on premise that reunification should be achieved by peaceful means. The conditions for peaceful reunification are listed below. First, North and South Korea must share a determination for co-existence. This condition can be achieved using Yulgok’s ideology of “sincerity (誠)”, part of which was borrowed from Confucianism. It is this mentality, represented by values such as “truth, purity and sincerity,” that leads to the establishment of mutual trust. Secound, North and South Korea must pave a road of “mutual life-improvement” for peaceful reunification. This mentality is based on the belief that “each acts as a root for the other’s existence (互爲其根),” which is inherent in Confucian cosmology. The meaning of “waiting for each other,” as used in Confucianism, is evident in the concept known as “daedae sangsu (待對 相須).” It is necessary to recognize the importance of mutual life-improvement and to take practical measures accordingly. Practical implementation under the belief of mutual life-improvement is most effectively achieved by offering emotional and material aid to the other under the spirit of “interdependence (相扶相助).” Mutual life-improvement, seen as universal virtue, can be adopted based on the national consciousness that still remains in us. Third, ultimate harmony between North and South Korea can be supported by Yulgok’s public opinion-based national policy theory, which assumes the freedom of the press. Yulgok defined public opinion as that which is regarded as right and agreed upon by all citizens; he saw public opinion as the basis of national policy. Here, there are two pre-requisites: the satisfaction of ecological desire, represented by public humanity, and the satisfaction of psychological desire, represented by cultural creation. Thus, this is the most difficult among the aforementioned ideological conditions.

참고문헌 (Reference)

1 "중용(中庸)"

2 "주역(周易)"

3 "주렴계선생전집(周濂溪先生全集)" 商務印書館 1900

4 "율곡전서(栗谷全書)" 성균관대학교 대동문화연구원 1971

5 "맹자(孟子)"

6 "논어(論語)"