Re-Thinking "Independence" of Science and Technology during King Sejong's Reign

This article re-evaluates the historical characteristics of science and technology during King Sejong's reign. Most contemporary historians think that science and technology under King Sejong developed most brilliantly in Korean history and was independent from the Chinese which had been considered the best in the East Asian scientific community. Some scholars were proud that Korean science and technology was different from and superior to China at that time. Astronomy, instrumental technology, agricultural technology, indigenous medicine, and Korean alphabet were considered good examples. But I disagree with their argument. I do not think science and technology in Joseon during King Sejong's reign were different from or superior to Chinese science and technology but became independent. King Sejong and the scholar-officials undertook scientific projects to introduce, study, and naturalize Chinese counterparts in the areas of science, technology, liberal arts, and statecraft. The purpose of these projects was to elevate the level of Korean science and technology to the Chinese level that was considered the highest in the world. King Sejong believed these projects would make Korean culture develop and prosper to be on par with China. In the first part of this article, contemporary perspectives on agricultural technology, indigenous medicine, and Korean alphabet are seriously reconsidered as not being independent of or different from the Chinese but, rather, products to introduce, study, and naturalize Chinese counterparts in Korea. In the latter half of this article, projects on national music and astronomy are analyzed. Through these projects, King Sejong wanted to develop Korean culture and prosper in view of the Confucian ideal.