The period of King Jeongjo(正祖) in the Joseon(朝鮮) Dynasty was the age of fluctuation. After being twice invaded by Japan in 1592, the year of Imjin(壬辰) and by China in 1637, the year of Byeongja(丙子), this age suffered greatly in the fluctuating international situation of North East Asia, and witnessed the people extremely destitute due to successive natural disasters. As the traditional values collapsed and the Confucian ideology developed by Chutzu reached its limitation, foreign thoughts and cultures flew in, and played central roles in changing society. Firmly fixed social class did more and more severe harm, and political factions divided the national opinion and splitted the national power. In this situation, King Jeongjo had to complete dual tasks: maintenance of traditional order and adjustment to changing social demand. Facing such various hardships, King Jeongjo tried to discipline himself to live up to the principle of 'disciplining himself before governing others'. Based on his love for the people, he made unceasing efforts to unify the people and lead to a Confucian utopia of prosperous and peaceful society through education of the people. This study focuses on social welfare policy during the reign of King Jeongjo, on which his love and reigning of the people were grounded. His reigning was also firmly based on the idea of filial piety. Thus, this study is intended to contribute to understanding the period of King Jeongjo when Confucian culture thrived, solving various social conflicts occurring these days, and deriving political and administrative implications from the welfare policy implemented by King Jeongjo. The subject of this study is the welfare policy for disaster victims, children and elderly people during the reign of King Jeongjo. The chronological span of this research is the age of King Jeongjo, and the spatial one is the Joseon Dynasty. Referring to the research method, this is a literary and descriptive study which approached and analyzed the welfare policy during the period of King Jeongjo in the Joseon Dynasty in terms of public administration.King Jeongjo emphasized the theory of royal authority, particularly the theory that the king should be the model for his subjects, and took the lead of them. After being on the throne, he set up Gyujanggak(奎章閣), the royal library and academic institute to promote literary spirit, and introduced an educational training organization called Chogye-Munsin(抄啓文臣) for training civil officials. He assigned academically excellent persons in the alienated class who were born in extramarital relationships as assistant librarians of Gyujanggak, organizing them into his supporter group. These young scholars promoted and supported King Jeonjo’s policy regardless of their factions such as Noron(老論), Soron(少論), Namin(南人) and others, and played their roles faithfully during his reign. He proclaimed Shinhae-Tonggong(辛亥通共), a reformative economic policy to repeal or weaken the privilege of immoral merchants, who monopolized some items or markets around Hanseong(漢城: present Seoul) and the Han River and who enjoyed selling some monopolized items on the market and exclusively supplying necessary items to public offices under the authorization of public officials. This policy made it possible for anyone who wanted to sell items to do so. Generally, the three elements of policy are said to be policy goals, policy means and policy targets. The last element includes both beneficiaries and victims of a certain policy. Thus, this study divides policy targets into three: disaster victims, children and elderly people. A policy agency is actually an important policy element as it decides on and implement policies. The analysis frame that this study made focuses on policy goals, policy agencies, and policy means(power exertion and financing). ◁ 표 삽입 ▷ (원문을 참조하세요)An examination of the relief policy implemented by King Jeongjo revealed that it was intended to make a welfare state come true and stabilize the kingdom by relieving people of famine based on the people-oriented ideology. Referring to a policy agency, Bibyeonsa(備邊司), a military decision-making agency belonging to the central government was managed mainly by the faction of Noron in the early reign of King Jeongjo. However, as the organization of the Chogye-Munsin turned out well-trained scholars, the officials in charge of Gyujanggak played important roles in making policy decisions. There were also other institutions that made relief policy decisions such as the Ministry of Finance and Resources(Hojo: 戶曹), the Ministry of Manners and Foreign Affairs(Yejo: 禮曹), and the Ministry of Defense(Byeongjo: 兵曹). Jinhyulcheong(賑恤廳: Relief Office) in Seonhyecheong(宣惠廳) of the Ministry of Finance and Resources(Hojo: 戶曹) managed overall relief policy decision makings. Uichang(義倉), Gunjachang(軍資倉,) and Sangpyeongchang(常平倉) were organizations that kept grain reserve respectively to be used for emergency, military use and controls of supply and demand. Maechiwon(埋置院) was an agency that dealt with corpses of the homeless or the poor who died of starvation or diseases. Hyeminseo(惠民署) and Dongseo Hwalinseo(東西活人署) were medical institutes for the poor. When necessary in implementation of relief policies, relief offices such as Jinjeso(賑濟所), Jinjejang(賑濟場) and Saekso(色所) were set up and operated. Hanseongbu(漢城府: Capital City Office), local governments(department of finance and resources(Hobang: 戶房), and department of manners(Yebang: 禮房), and county offices were in charge of relief work. In relation to policy means, in terms of power exertion, relief supplies were made ready before a disaster came about, and various organizations with grain reserve for relief were set up such as Changje(倉制), Uichang, and Sangpyeongchang. When disasters came about, various policies were implemented: tax reduction, lending grain, offering grain, offering food, grain selling by public offices, releasing grain reserve, lending grain in spring and getting it back after harvest, selling out grain reserve, and offering gruel. When infectious diseases prevailed, medical officers were sent and medical relief policies were implemented. For people in need, required labor was exempt, unmarried women from noble families were encouraged to marry, and grants for funerals and memorial services were provided. To know whether these various relief projects were well implemented, governmental organizations supervised local government officials by dispatching many public inspectors such as Jinjesa(賑濟使), Jinhyulsa(賑恤使), Guhwang-Sunchalsa(救荒巡察使), Jinhyuleosa(賑恤御史), and Gamchaleosa(監察御史).Financing the relief policy implementation was made possible through various methods such as Hwanja[還上: lending grain in spring and getting it back after harvest in fall], Gunjakmi(軍作米: grain reserve for military use), Jingok(賑穀) and Sangjingok(常賑穀: grain reserve for famine relief), Gwanjingok(官賑穀: grain reserve by public offices), and Sajingok(私賑穀: grain unofficially stored for famine relief). Also, boiling sea water down to salt(Yeombun: 鹽盆) and minting coins(Jujeon: 鑄錢), and raising donations(Wonnap: 願納, Gwonbun: 勸分) contributed to financing the relief policy implementation. An investigation of welfare policy for disaster victims during the reign of King Jeongjo showed the following: the prompt implementation of relief policy saved people out of famine, keeping them leading a normal life by helping people recover their energy and vitality. Referring to a policy agency, Bibyeonsa, a military decision-making agency belonging to the central government was managed mainly by the faction of Noron during the early reign of King Jeongjo. However, as the organization of the Chogye-Munsin turned out well-trained scholars, the officials in charge of Gyujanggak played important roles in making policy decisions. There were also other agencies which carried out relief policy: the Hojo, the Yejo and the Byeongjo Jinhyulcheong belonging to Seonhyecheong of the Hojo took overall relief measures for disaster victims. Taking advantage of Uichang which stored grain for emergency, this organization set up relief centers like Jinjejang and Jinjeso, and implemented relief policy for victims in case of disasters. Usually, this organization established a frame of Jeeonsa(堤堰司), maintaining streams and rivers by dredging and building dams in preparation for disasters. Various military organizations participated in relief projects with all their energy: Hunlyeondogam(訓鍊都監) for guarding the capital city and training soldiers, Geumwiyeong(禁衛營) for guarding the capital city, and Eoyeongcheong(御營廳) for training artillerymen. When infectious diseases prevailed along with disasters, various medical institutions such as Hyeminseo(惠民署), Hwalinseo(活人署), and Jeonuigam(典醫監) played important roles in fighting against the diseases.Regarding policy means, in terms of power exertion, when building dams or dredging to prevent disasters, an incentive payment system was introduced and contributed to public welfare stability. Many other approaches of preventing famine disasters were as follows: farming encouragement policy implementation, education in farming encouragement, proclamation of the king's lessons for farming encouragement, a sowing ceremony for good harvest, a ceremony of the king's participation in harvesting, the king's lessons to encourage hard working for farming, cultivation encouragement, and well organized farming methods and technology. The reformation of farming strategies like dissemination of farming books and the organization of irrigation facilities made it possible for people to increase agricultural production and prepare for disasters in advance. As part of implementing relief policy, various crops such as potatoes, sweet potatoes, and oaks were disseminated. In carrying out such a policy, many other measures were taken: reduction in side dishes for the king, discreet attitudes for fear of disaster, the king's seeking advice from his subjects, prohibition of brewing liquors, a ceremony wishing for rain pouring, a ceremony wishing for rain stopping, a ceremony wishing for clearing the field of harmful insects, a ceremony wishing for expelling bad diseases, and a ceremony wishing for safety on land and at sea. As countermeasures, there were emergency relief projects such as providing grain to sufferers(Jingeup: 賑邑), lending grain in spring and getting it back after harvest in fall(Jindae: 賑貸), serving meals for the homeless and poor(Sisik: 施食), and other medical projects. To relieve disaster victims of suffering, such various policies as tax reduction, benefits on national special events, and benefits in disasters were implemented. To know whether these various relief projects were well implemented, the king dispatched many inspectors to local governments such as Jinhyulsa(Jinjesa), Gyeongchagwan(敬差官), Guhwang-Sunchalsa, Gamjineosa(監賑御史), and Wiyueosa((慰諭御史). The king established a prompt response system by getting those inspectors to supervise local government officials and to report the actualities to him as they were. For financing the implementation of relief policy, the central government depended on grain bought and stored with tax, grain reserve for military use, lending grain in spring and got it back after harvest in fall, general grain reserve in warehouses, grain reserve for controlling supply and demand of grain, and grain traded in a large amount for profit. Local governments took advantage of grain stored by public offices and grain stored by private sectors for financing relief policy. When grain reserve ran short because of bad harvest, grain donated was utilized for relief policy. An examination of the welfare policy for children during the reign of King Jeongjo revealed that the relief policy for children aimed to keep children out of difficult situations and focused on the protection of children’s lives. As for a policy agency, the central government had an organization of Bibyeonsa as a military decision-making establishment. In addition, there were other executive agencies which carried out relief policy for children such as the Ministry of Finance and Resources(Hojo), the Ministry of Manners and Foreign Affairs(Yejo), and the Ministry of Defense(Byeongjo). Jinhyulcheong belonging to Seonhyecheong of the Hojo took charge of overall relief activities. Establishing the reception center for missing children called Yujeopso(留接所), the agency accepted and reared missing children. It also arranged for some children to be adopted or fostered by ordinary families. Hyeminseo worked as a medical center for children, and for local public offices, personnel department(Yijo: 吏曹) and financial department(Hojo) established a child care center(Jinjang: 賑場) and looked after missing children, and another institute(Jineup) to care for beggar children. Regarding policy means, in terms of power exertion, Children’s Welfare Act(Jahyuljeonchik: 字恤典則), which was the first in the history of Korea as such a kind, was proclaimed in Korean. This law stipulated that missing children, above all, be adopted and fostered by ordinary families, and that children be reared in family environments. Only when there were no other choices, missing children were reared in Jinhyulcheong, a child care center and provided with food, medical services, and clothing. Every month, an officer in Jinhyulcheong checked children’s growth condition, and the head of the county office monthly had to report the results of checking children’s development to its supervising agency, Do-Gamyeong(道監營). When neglecting to report, he was reprimanded. As for financing, based on basic grain reserve and grain stored by local organizations by themselves, the central government in the capital city utilized grain owned by a relief agency, Jinhyulcheong. Local governments made use of grain reserve for famine relief(Sangjingok: 常賑穀) and grain stored by local governments by themselves(Jabigok: 自備穀). Side food materials such as sauces and seaweed were supplied by local government officers.An investigation of welfare policy for elderly people during the reign of King Jeongjo showed the following. The policy goals were to stabilize society by making the elderly feel secure and happy, to widely disseminate exemplary culture of respecting the elderly, and to establish an ideal society. As for policy agencies, there was Bibyeonsa, a military decision-maker belonging to the central government, and also there were other executive organizations which made relief policy decisions for the elderly, such as the Yijo, the Hojo, Yejo and the Byeongjo. The Hojo included Seonhyecheong, which had public offices in the central government and local governments.As for policy means, in terms of power exertion, governments operated various systems to encourage people to respect the elderly, such as promotion of the elderly to higher class positions(Noingaja: 老人加資), assignment of the elderly to honorary positions without being paid(Noinjik: 老人職), and civil service examinations for the elderly like Noingwa(老人科) and Girogwa(耆老科). Governments also ran senior centers such as Giroso(耆老所) and Girosa(耆老社). During the reign of King Jeongjo, there were retirement systems for the elderly such as the Chisa system(致仕制度) and the Notoe system(老退制度). Various festivals and parties were annually held for the elderly such as Giroyeon(耆老宴), Gyeongroyeon(敬老宴), Yangroyeon(養老宴), and Wiroyeon(慰勞宴). To relieve the burden of supporting the elderly, various systems were implemented like Labor Exemption and Sijeongjedo(侍丁制度: a kind of labor exemption when supporting old people 80 or more years old), facilitating families' duty of supporting the elderly. In particular, King Jeongjo published and distributed several books such as Hyangrye-Happyeon(鄕禮合編: Compilation of Manners), Sohak(小學: Lessons for Children). and Oryun-Haengsildo(五倫行實圖: Five Morals). Financing welfare policy for the elderly depended on grain reserve in Sangpyeongchang, a public granary for controlling grain supply and demand, which was managed by Seonhyecheong (office) belonging to the Ministry of Finance and Resources(Hojo). It also turned to the royal grain reserve, Naetanggo(內帑庫), which was the king's private property.The welfare policy for disaster victims during the reign of King Jeongjo implies the following. Welfare policy for disaster victims should be supported by public sectors, and needs prompt relief systems. It also requires the sense of responsibility of those who implement welfare policy. Welfare policy has to prepare measures to prevent disasters and make thorough assessments after the fact. The welfare policy for children during the reign of King Jeongjo was the origin of children's welfare. Its implications for today are as follows. In order to build up an efficient welfare system for children, governments should innovate their perception of children's welfare, implement welfare policy customized for children, and build up systems to support children's self-living and self-help. It is essential for governments to intervene and extend their responsibilities. The implications of the welfare policy for the elderly during the reign of King Jeongjo are as follows. Welfare policy for the elderly should be implemented based on the idea of filial piety for the elderly. Based on the idea of disciplining themselves before governing others(修己治人), the elderly should make themselves more mature. Governmental responsibilities for welfare policy for the elderly should be strengthened. Customized welfare policy for the elderly should be prepared. It is necessary to raise the level of family welfare by teaching to respect the elderly.In the late 18th century, King Jeongjo was a great king who sought a cultural state by implementing welfare policy based on the ideas of love for his people and filial piety. These spirits that King Jeongjo sought are still valid today because these ideas make modern people reflect on what is the most valuable in this world where materialism and selfishness are prevalent. The goal of welfare policy is to make all members of society feel secure and happy, so decision makers and policy executives should value and consider all people when establishing and implementing any welfare policy. Therefore, it is even more necessary to be interested in administrative philosophy focusing on people rather than on technology. Previous studies of the reign of King Jeongjo mainly concentrated on historical aspects, but little research wad done in terms of public administration. Accordingly this study brought to light social welfare policy in terms of three points: policy goals, policy agencies, and policy means, and is expected to be meaningful enough despite some limitations in terms of the volume of materials. Further studies of this kind in the future will identify many other policies in addition to welfare policy during the reign of King Jeongjo in the Joseon Dynasty. This will surely contribute to advancing public administration of Korea further.