Kim An-ro’s Pursuit of a Plenary Prime Ministership and the Expansion of His Political Base as a Royal Consort 

Author: Choi, Mingyu

Page: 451-502

This study explores the ideological foundation and significance of consort politics (戚臣政治) during the reign of King Jungjong in the 16th century by examining the political activities and philosophy of Kim An-ro. Connected to the scholarly lineage of Kim Jong-jik, Kim adopted a broad, erudite approach to Song Confucianism, relativizing the rigid neo-Confucian orthodoxy of his time. While initially collaborating with the Sarim (literati) faction, Kim questioned their public opinion-driven politics during the debate over the restoration of Queen Yun in the 8th year of Jungjong's reign, highlighting instead the pivotal role of the prime minister. Consequently, Kim advocated for a political framework centered on a powerful prime minister (專權宰相) with plenary authority rather than one regulated by public consensus. This vision materialized through the reinstatement of the Uijeongbu Seosaje. He sought to institutionalize the prime minister as a supreme ruler of state affairs who, delegated by a passive monarch, controlled the entire bureaucracy and arbitrated all court decisions. This position fundamentally differed from the conventional neo-Confucian view of a prime minister as a mere aggregator of consensus. Remaining balanced between honoring the Merit Subjects and respecting public opinion, Kim eventually parted ways with the Gimyo Sarim faction. Following his son Kim Hui's marriage into the royal family, Kim secured his status as a royal consort. Under the pretexts of protecting the Crown Prince—who was isolated after the Queen Dowager’s demise —and reinstating the exiled Gimyo Sarim, Kim initially seized control of public opinion. However, his consorthood inherently conflicted with the bureaucratic ideal of representing the broader literati opinion. As a result, he gradually drifted away from general consensus, focusing instead on expanding his power base through royal ties. To centralize power, Kim placed his paternal, maternal, and in-law relatives into the Daegan (臺諫) and suppressed opposing literati opinions. To legitimize his position, he utilized the logic of filial piety, framing the monarch as the ultimate patriarch and obligating chosen ministers or families to repay royal favors. Simultaneously, he carried out institutional reforms to extend a social order based on the Three Bonds(三綱) across society. In conclusion, Kim An-ro pursued a centralization of power centered on the prime minister. However, because this power was neither anchored in the public bureaucracy nor supported by general consensus, it remained isolated from the broader literati, relying solely on a small circle of relatives and royal indulgence. His career vividly demonstrates both the unique characteristics and the structural limitations of consort politics in the mid-Joseon period.