A renowned prime minister with the capabilities of a scholar, legalist, and artisan, the national body
One must be skilled in the middle rather than the right, and in the way of authority rather than the way of the common.

In his 『Inmulji』, Yu So divided the types of subjects into **Cheonjeolga (淸節家), Legalga (法家), and Sulga (術家).**
A person with integrity and honesty is called a Cheongjeolga, a Beopja is called a person with a firm sense of the rule of law and the operation of the system, and a Sulja is called a person who excels in devising grand plans and strategies for running the country.
A state that possesses all three of these virtues in a balanced manner is called a **national system**, and this can be said to be the requirement for a 'good prime minister'.
Conversely, a person who excels in a specific ability but is not balanced is called a **functionalist**.

The author cites Jo Jun, Hwang Hui, Shin Suk-ju, and Lee Jun-gyeong as the prime ministers of Joseon who reached the heights of national power.
Jo Jun laid the foundation for Joseon politics by establishing the foundation for the early system of the nation's founding, and Hwang Hui firmly supported Sejong's reign with fair personnel administration and balanced judgment.
Although Shin Suk-ju was criticized by the legitimacy advocates as a person without integrity, he was actually a person skilled in practical politics who assisted three kings, and became a model for the national system.
Even under pressure from powerful officials, Lee Jun-gyeong supported the inexperienced King Seonjo with his integrity and practical skills, thereby stabilizing the government.

On the other hand, Ha Ryun was exceptional in strategy and discipline, but he lacked integrity and was unable to achieve national success.
Additionally, many ministers are evaluated as remaining in the category of functionalists rather than nationalists.
For example, Kim Sa-hyeong, Maeng Sa-seong, and Jeong In-ji were outstanding in academic knowledge and integrity, but they were somewhat lacking in the artistic ability to decide on grand national strategies.

This distinction presents a new standard for evaluating Joseon ministers.
Rather than judging a person solely on loyalty and integrity, a three-dimensional standard is needed that encompasses political practical ability, strategic insight, and a sense of the rule of law.
Ultimately, Prime Minister Myeong was a nationally oriented figure who possessed a balanced blend of integrity, law, and strategy, and this still provides meaningful guidance for those considering the qualifications for leaders today.

The source of power that built the nation, the brilliant ministers who stood up to the times
20 Prime Ministers Who Set Joseon Straight

Jo Jun, considered the first famous prime minister of Joseon, was a friend-like subject to Taejo and a teacher-like subject to Taejong, and contributed greatly to the founding of the nation and the establishment of its institutions.
Ha Ryun, who stayed by Taejong's side, was a realist with strong legalist and wine-loving aspects, but was evaluated as lacking in integrity.
Hwang Hui is often known as an indecisive person, but he was actually a prime minister with an upright personality and decisiveness, and Maeng Sa-seong was a pure-hearted prime minister who supported King Sejong's reign.
Shin Suk-ju was criticized as a person without integrity due to the Neo-Confucian theory of justification, but in reality, he was an excellent politician who faithfully served three kings, and the prison guard of King Sejo's reign was trusted by the king for his integrity and rule of law.
Han Myeong-hoe, who was born in Po and quickly rose to the position of prime minister, was a master of strategy and execution who dominated his time, and Jeong In-ji left a name for himself as a historian with his extensive knowledge.
Although No Sa-shin assisted King Seongjong, he could not avoid the misfortunes of the reign of King Yeonsangun, and Eo Se-gyeom also met a tragic end in the Gapja Massacre.
In this way, the ministers who emerged during the process of founding the nation and establishing its foundation each possessed their own virtues and limitations, but they also led the foundation of Joseon politics.

During the reign of King Jungjong, Jeong Gwang-pil was a renowned prime minister who prevented the spread of the Gimyo Incident with his upright and humble national character, and Lee Jun-gyeong played a decisive role in overcoming the checks of the powerful Yun Won-hyeong and helping the immature King Seonjo establish himself as king.
Sangjin maintained his reputation for integrity while accepting the twists and turns of real-world politics, and Yu Seong-ryong suffered during the tragedy of the Imjin War, but devoted himself to the people and the country.
Lee Won-ik was a prime minister who supported three kings with uprightness and integrity and upheld the value of 'Jeong', and Lee Hang-bok was a strong support during the chaotic period of the Imjin War.
Han Eum Lee Deok-hyeong became prime minister at a young age and legitimized Gwanghaegun's ascension to the throne with his prudent conduct, while Choi Myeong-gil was a 'old-timer' who risked being criticized as a traitor to advocate for peace in order to save the people.
Kim Yuk was a reformist prime minister who led the implementation of the Daedong Law and placed the lives of the people at the center of politics, and Choi Seok-jeong of King Sukjong's reign was a special figure who enjoyed the king's deep trust, rising to the position of Prime Minister ten times.
Even amidst war and political upheaval, these illustrious ministers, despite the misfortunes and limitations of their time, strived to protect the lives of the people and establish the nation. He was repeatedly summoned.
After retiring from public office, Choi Seok-jeong devoted himself to the study of arithmetic and letters.

The era when the famous prime minister disappeared
Partisan strife and the Office of Military Affairs, taking away the influence of the prime minister

In Sima Qian's "Records of the Grand Historian" (陳丞相世家), the duties of the prime minister are recorded as follows:
“The prime minister assists the emperor above, governing yin and yang and regulating the four seasons; below, he nurtures all things appropriately; externally, he comforts the barbarians and feudal lords; internally, he fosters friendship among the people and ensures that the officials are faithful to their respective duties.” In this way, the prime minister’s role in running the country was crucial.
In fact, the famous ministers of the early Joseon Dynasty faithfully carried out these duties and laid the foundation for the country.
However, after the mid-period, the prime minister gradually began to lose real power.
As the intensification of factional strife and the strengthening of the power of the Office of Military Affairs coincided, the authority and influence of the prime minister were rapidly reduced.


When the Office of the Inspector General was established during the reign of King Myeongjong, important national affairs were discussed at the Office of the Inspector General, and the three prime ministers only participated formally with the title of Dojejo and did not exercise any real authority.
In particular, when the Imjin War broke out during the reign of King Seonjo, the authority of the Office of Military Affairs, which was in charge of wartime administration, was further strengthened, and from then until the end of the Joseon Dynasty, the entire state administration was run with the Office of Military Affairs at its center.
With the addition of partisan strife, the prime minister was no longer the ‘prime minister of the country’ but was reduced to the ‘prime minister of the political faction.’
In the past, the prime minister was sometimes called the 'Minister of the State', but after the factional strife, he was simply called the 'Minister of the Party'.
After all, after King Seonjo, notable prime ministers or phenomena rarely appeared, and the center of gravity of Joseon politics gradually collapsed.
This meant that the central axis of Joseon politics occupied by the prime minister had collapsed, and the absence of a famous prime minister became a crucial turning point directly related to the rise and fall of the nation.