Sadaejuui
Encyclopedia
Sadaejuui is a largely pejorative Korean
term which evolved in the mid-20th century from a more widely used historical concept.
The contemporary term sadaejuui was derived from the Chinese
shi da (Korean, sadae) as used by the philosopher, Mencius
.
In other words, sadaejuui is a compound-word composed of sadae + juui.
's book, which means "service to the great by the small" or "a small kingdom accommodates a large."
The utility of the sadae concept in Korea was recognized from the period of Three Kingdoms of Korea
to 1897; and it is demonstrated in the relationship of mid-Joseon
Korea towards the Ming Dynasty
of China. The Joseon kingdom made every effort to maintain a friendly relationship with Beijing
for reasons having to do with both realpolitik
and an idealized Confucian worldview in which China is perceived as the center of a Confucian moral universe.
The kingdom of Joseon accepted its place in a Sino-centristic world order. The Joseon foreign policy was organized around maintaining stable Joseon-Chinese relations in the period from 1392 through 1910. It contrasts with limited trade relationships or kyorin diplomacy (교린청책; lit. "neighborly relations") in regard to Joseon-Japanese relations in this period.
The concept of sadaejuui was central in the writings of polemicist Shin Chaeho. His ideas and voice became prominent features of Korean nationalism. Sin is known for having argued that the sadaejuui inherent in Confucian historiography served
His revisionist writings sought to deny the relevance of sadae as an important element of Korean history.
Korean language
Korean is the official language of the country Korea, in both South and North. It is also one of the two official languages in the Yanbian Korean Autonomous Prefecture in People's Republic of China. There are about 78 million Korean speakers worldwide. In the 15th century, a national writing...
term which evolved in the mid-20th century from a more widely used historical concept.
The contemporary term sadaejuui was derived from the Chinese
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
shi da (Korean, sadae) as used by the philosopher, Mencius
Mencius
Mencius was a Chinese philosopher who was arguably the most famous Confucian after Confucius himself.-Life:Mencius, also known by his birth name Meng Ke or Ko, was born in the State of Zou, now forming the territory of the county-level city of Zoucheng , Shandong province, only thirty kilometres ...
.
- SadaeSadaeSadae is a Korean historical and philosophical term.It may also refer to:* Sadae , a governmental office of Taebong* Sadaejuui , a modern Korean polemical term...
literally means "dealing with the great" or "serving the great" and interpreted as "Loving and admiring the great and powerful". - Juui means "ideology" and it is conventionally translated as "-ism."
In other words, sadaejuui is a compound-word composed of sadae + juui.
Etymology
The term "sadaejuui" was invented by early 20th century Korean nationalists. The antecedents of this modern term is the historic term "sadae" , which comes from the word in MenciusMencius
Mencius was a Chinese philosopher who was arguably the most famous Confucian after Confucius himself.-Life:Mencius, also known by his birth name Meng Ke or Ko, was born in the State of Zou, now forming the territory of the county-level city of Zoucheng , Shandong province, only thirty kilometres ...
's book, which means "service to the great by the small" or "a small kingdom accommodates a large."
- Mencius - Liang Hui Wang II
Overview
Sadaejuui conflates an attitude of subservience with the political realism which accompanies the prudent recognition of greater power. Sadae describes a foreign policy characterized by the various ways a small country acknowledges the strength of a greater power like that of China. Sadae is made manifest in the actions of the weaker state as it conveys goodwill and respect through its envoys.The utility of the sadae concept in Korea was recognized from the period of Three Kingdoms of Korea
Three Kingdoms of Korea
The Three Kingdoms of Korea refer to the ancient Korean kingdoms of Goguryeo, Baekje and Silla, which dominated the Korean peninsula and parts of Manchuria for much of the 1st millennium...
to 1897; and it is demonstrated in the relationship of mid-Joseon
Joseon Dynasty
Joseon , was a Korean state founded by Taejo Yi Seong-gye that lasted for approximately five centuries. It was founded in the aftermath of the overthrow of the Goryeo at what is today the city of Kaesong. Early on, Korea was retitled and the capital was relocated to modern-day Seoul...
Korea towards the Ming Dynasty
Ming Dynasty
The Ming Dynasty, also Empire of the Great Ming, was the ruling dynasty of China from 1368 to 1644, following the collapse of the Mongol-led Yuan Dynasty. The Ming, "one of the greatest eras of orderly government and social stability in human history", was the last dynasty in China ruled by ethnic...
of China. The Joseon kingdom made every effort to maintain a friendly relationship with Beijing
Beijing
Beijing , also known as Peking , is the capital of the People's Republic of China and one of the most populous cities in the world, with a population of 19,612,368 as of 2010. The city is the country's political, cultural, and educational center, and home to the headquarters for most of China's...
for reasons having to do with both realpolitik
Realpolitik
Realpolitik refers to politics or diplomacy based primarily on power and on practical and material factors and considerations, rather than ideological notions or moralistic or ethical premises...
and an idealized Confucian worldview in which China is perceived as the center of a Confucian moral universe.
The kingdom of Joseon accepted its place in a Sino-centristic world order. The Joseon foreign policy was organized around maintaining stable Joseon-Chinese relations in the period from 1392 through 1910. It contrasts with limited trade relationships or kyorin diplomacy (교린청책; lit. "neighborly relations") in regard to Joseon-Japanese relations in this period.
The concept of sadaejuui was central in the writings of polemicist Shin Chaeho. His ideas and voice became prominent features of Korean nationalism. Sin is known for having argued that the sadaejuui inherent in Confucian historiography served
- to devalue the ethnic origins of the Korean people and state
- to subjugate Korean history within a Confucian interpretive framework
His revisionist writings sought to deny the relevance of sadae as an important element of Korean history.