Rule of law opens a new era. Laws and Trials of the Joseon Dynasty. Volume I : Judicial history materials exhibition sourcebook

Ключевые слова

Тематические рубрики

• Law - The judicial system of Korea
• Rule of law - Korea - History
• Korea - Politics and government - 1392-1910

Аннотация

Instead of a specific legal class, cases were handled by judicial officials based on the severity of the crime. Provincial governors were responsible for handling murders, while county magistrates handled minor disputes. Magistrates were also responsible for punishing common crimes such as beatings. To verify the story, both the accused and the accuser could be subjected to torture. In most cases, peasants avoided the legal system and resolved their issues among themselves. The Confucian class system was strictly enforced in society. Almost all power was in the hands of the yangban, who could apply laws to the lower classes without much oversight. Women suffered from the laws, as a beaten wife could only accuse her husband of breaking her bones. If she could not prove it, she would be punished herself. Women also faced stricter punishments than men for crimes such as murder.