THE STATE COUNCIL (Ŭijŏngbu), which was the supreme policy making and administrative organ in the government, was composed of three ministers of prime minister rank: chief councillor, minister of the left, minister of the right and four high officials: chief secretary of the left, chief secretary of the right, assistant chief secretary of the left, and assistant chief secretary of the right.

The Six Ministries were originally under the State Council, but eventually the king controlled them directly. Each ministry was directed by a minister (p’ansŏ), deputy (ch’agwan), vice-minister (ch’amp’an), and beneath these there was a councillor (ch’amŭi), a fifth rank secretary, and a sixth rank secretary.

The Royal Secretariat (Sŭngjŏngwŏn) operated as a liaison office between king and government; it had six royal secretaries (sŭngji), one for each ministry.

Two organs served a watchdog role over king and government. Saganwŏn, Office of the Censor General, was the watchdog over the royal family; Sahŏnbu, Office of the Inspector General, was the watchdog over the government.

Hongmun’gwan, Royal Archives, was a think tank of special advisers who carried out research, gave advice, and formulated policy.

Officials in the Sahŏnbu, Saganwŏn and Hongmun’gwan did not rank highly in the bureaucracy, but they wielded extraordinary power. Posts in these departments were coveted by aspiring officials as they were the certain road to advancement.

Royal Guards

The Royal Guards evolved into an agency directly under the king, which dealt with rebellions and threats to the dynasty. It overlapped with the Ministry of Justice. There was a third judicial organ responsible for the defence of Seoul.

Office charged with publication of Confucian texts.

Office to draft messages and statements from the king.

Office to draft diplomatic messages and notes.