OP-ED: A Democratic Approach within a Corrupt Court

By: Quinn Riordan

The Goryeo Court has been plagued with espionage, assassinations, bribery, and possible treason. However, as the court holds elections to find the new successor to the throne, the civilian voice matters. The court passed a directive creating polling for the people which can sway the election held within the court, enforcing those running to reach out to the citizens, banning bribery, or promising government positions, and barring the vote from those running in the election. All of these actions are promoting democratic ideals which will benefit the Goryeo Dynasty as a whole: unifying the people, decreasing corruption and strengthening the nation.  

This switch to elections with the people has forced the candidates to go speak with the civilians and enact directives that directly benefit them. Im Chon and Kim Busik have bolstered their campaign through creating a connection with the people and for the people. 

“We have helped people rebuild their homes, provided food and clean water, and have plans to go back to a domestic economy for the people. We have listened to what they want, and worked to provide it. With education we have been promoting sustainability and religious unity throughout our grand Dynasty and have been gaining the support from the people,” Im Chon said. 

These directives are beneficial to diminish the corruption within the Goryeo Court. The court has been mostly focused on personal benefit and power rather than the nation as a whole, and this new switch promotes the ideas of democracy and progress to push the nation forward. Democracy is defined as a government of the people, for the people and by the people. With the direct participation of citizens, it expands the power to everyone, and makes a nation stronger and more free. Elections are essential because they give the people the power to choose their ruler who can then represent the views and needs of the people. 

“The Goryeo Court is taking a progressive leap allowing women, monks, and different religions to run for the throne and hold an election within the court. Why should we not extend this democracy and power to the people, and show that the great Goryeo Dynasty is for people too?”, former Princess Yeondeok said.

However, the members of the court do not all share the same view on the power of the people and their role in the election. Some have continued to secretly assassinate and bribe other members, despite the push for a fair election. The blatant disregard for even the directives passed within the court display the utter dismissal of the people and are restricting the Goryeo Dynasty from growing and developing as a power. They believe that “the court is made up of those made to be in power, the smartest and strongest, and they would be the best rulers for the people,” Yi Lee Jagyeom said. 

Yet, the holding of elections is a necessary change in the years of the royal and wealthy court consolidating power to themselves. Elections are pivotal to the quality and vitality of a country’s government and can either greatly advance or set back a country’s development. The choice to open elections and include a citizen voice, although not fully, will advance the Goryeo Dynasty and improve the relations of the court and the people.

The Goryeo Dynasty court must continue to expand their connection with the people and ensure the reflection of the people’s will within the court’s decisions. It is unclear how far the court will expand this inkling of democracy, but it is clear the positive implications and outcomes from including the people within the election for both the Dynasty and the nation. 

Im Jong and Prince Po ran together and won the election, the two now the rulers of the Goryeo dynasty. The hope is that they will continue to meet with and make decisions for the people to further the dynasty, and allow it to become more stable and prosper.

Goryeo Dynasty declares war, receives surprise visits

By: Quinn Riordan

The Goryeo Dynasty received a surprise visit from the Jurchens, as they began their discussions on Jan. 17, instantly forming a divide within the court. The Jurchens declared themselves the “Jin Dynasty,” while taking part of the Goryeo Dynasty’s land and enacting necessary demands, Princess Yeondeok said. Moreover, the Jurchens called the court and nation, “little brother”, which lead to an uproar within the court over the course of action and severity. 

“The court issued declarations of war and false alliances, passing a ploy integration within the Jurchen military to issue a surprise military attack on their leaders, increase trade, and send bad fruit to weaken their people, all to increase the likelihood of the Goryeo’s success in battle. The Goryeo will prosper, gain back our lands, ensuring security and stability for our dynasty,” Queen Seonpyeong said.

These announcements were heavily debated, tensions were rising throughout the court, as they factioned off into two separate groups - one mostly Confusious and the other Buddhist. The Jurchen people have been flippant throughout the history of the dynasty, manipulating the Goryeo and Liao Dynasty with their knowledge of the tensions between the two. These fears surrounding the new Jin Dynasty, have been fueled by years of mistrust to justify the calls for war. 

“The discussion has been centered around proposing an alliance with the Jin dynasty, to ensure security, stability, and prosperity for the grand Goryeo Dynasty and its people,” Kim Busik said. 

As the court debated war or an alliance, the Song Dynasty arrived bringing them gifts of music and asking for an alliance to “eradicate” the Jurchen people, the representative from the Song Dynasty said. However, their proposal for an alliance was viewed as questionable by many royals in the court, doubting the motives and stipulations that would be required. 

“The Song Dynasty were previously aligned with the Jurchen people and certain members of the court have expressed fears over the incentives of the Song and whether they will remain loyal within and alliance,” Princess Yeondeok said. 

As conflict ensues and with the new declarations of war against the Jurchens, without agreement to the Song’s proposal it is unclear the outcome for the Goryeo Dynasty. The goal of the Goryeo court is to weaken the Jurchen and stalling, while consequently building and strengthening their military. Similarly, staging a false alliance with the Jin Dynasty to gain trust and then attack without the threat of premeditated retaliation. 

“The court feels strongly that these proposals will ensure the security and peace for the Goryeo people and the dynasty as a whole,” Princess Yeondeok said.