● Japan’s Trafficking-Fueled Past, Korea History Distortion
Joseon Dynasty’s Slave System, Economic Structure Changes, and Lessons from the Great Gyeongsin Famine
[1] Joseon’s Human Rights System and Legalization of the Slave System
Joseon was the first among the Three Kingdoms to systematically introduce the concept of human rights.
Rather than simply imitating the ideologies of Confucius, Mencius, and Zhu Xi, it incorporated them into actual laws and systems, establishing a system that even protected slaves.
There were cases where slaves could recover property or go through the liberation process through lawsuits, differentiating it from simple slavery.
Thus, Joseon’s human rights system serves as an important historical lesson in today’s asset management, financial markets, and global economic environment.
From the perspective of economic outlook and investment strategy, the initial systematization of institutions contributed to the stability of the social structure, which is noteworthy.
[2] The Great Gyeongsin Famine and the Great Transformation of the Economic Structure
The Great Gyeongsin Famine, which occurred in 1670-1671, brought about fundamental changes in the economic structure of Joseon society.
Along with the massive population decrease due to the famine, agricultural productivity plummeted due to climate disasters, and the traditional direct sowing method was gradually abolished, with transplanting taking its place.
This change accelerated economic imbalances and the polarization of wealth, ultimately having a significant impact on social class mobility.
It is interesting to note that similar economic reorganizations are observed in various crisis situations in today’s global economy and financial markets.
[3] Abolition of the Slave System and Reorganization of Social and Economic Structures
In the late Joseon period, the slave system began to be abolished in response to the demands of the times.
Starting with Queen Jeongsun’s regency in 1801, changes in social awareness and movements to liberate slaves emerged.
In reality, the economic activities and social participation of slaves were partially expanded, and the concentration of wealth and polarization accelerated, leading to a reorganization between landowners and tenant farmers.
In this process, the wealthy became wealthier, and the economic structure gradually took on a capitalist appearance, which is a historical pattern that must be considered when establishing investment strategies today.
[4] The Correlation Between the Joseon Economic Crisis and the Modern Economic System
Through the Great Gyeongsin Famine and the abolition of the slave system, Joseon society experienced a severe economic crisis, facing the problems of wealth polarization and redistribution.
Although the ruling system at the time was aristocrat-centered, the concentration of power and wealth by landowners in crisis situations is similar to the phenomena seen in modern asset management strategies.
The situation in which the rich become richer and the poor suffer during economic crises is a pattern that is often seen in today’s financial markets and global economy.
The lesson to be learned from history is that it provides insights into how the structural volatility of society as a whole changes rapidly in crisis situations, highlighting the need to prepare transparent investment strategies based on this.
[5] Modern Economic Outlook from Historical Lessons
Looking at the case of Joseon, the changes in the national economy and social structure were not only influenced by ideology or Confucian values.
It can be seen that improving human rights protection and redistribution systems, and establishing social safety nets were essential in addressing realistic problems such as economic crises.
Analyzing these historical changes from the perspective of economic outlook, global economy, asset management, financial markets, and investment strategies can provide hints on how to deal with similar socio-economic problems today.
In other words, the structural changes and crises of the Joseon Dynasty have deep connections with the instability of the modern economic system, and their lessons provide us with important strategic insights to prepare for the future.
< Summary >
∙ Joseon systematically introduced a human rights system and legalized the slave system to establish a protection system.
∙ The Great Gyeongsin Famine of 1670-1671 led to a decline in agricultural productivity and polarization of wealth, bringing about dramatic changes in the economic structure.
∙ The abolition of the slave system and the reorganization of social classes deepened the concentration of wealth and polarization, which is similarly observed in modern financial market crises.
∙ These historical examples provide important lessons for overcoming crises and restructuring in global economy, asset management, and investment strategy development.
∙ It emphasizes the need for thorough analysis and preparation for crisis situations in today's economic outlook as well.
</ Summary>
[Related Articles…]
History of Changes in the Slave System
The Great Gyeongsin Famine and Social Transition
*YouTube Source: [와이스트릿 – 지식과 자산의 복리효과]
– “인신매매, 성매매가 일상이었던 일본” 그들이 한국 역사를 깎아내리는 진짜 이유 / 홍대선 작가 (2부)

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