Abstract
Kim Su-On(1409~1481) was a editor in King Sejong's times who worked on the publication of "Euibangyoochui(醫方類聚)" and other major publications led by the royal family. This paper will review the works of Kim Su-On based on the medical background of early Joseon Dynasty and the medical book-reading officer system, and also evaluate his contribution to the development of medicine in early Joseon Dynasty, factoring in his life, ideas, and literary talent. By looking at the life of Kim Su-On, we can understand the role of Confucian doctors(儒醫) in the early Joseon Dynasty, how Confucian scholars who were learned in medicine supervised the compilation and correction of "Euibangyoochui(醫方類聚)". Especially, from the poetry of "Sikujip(拭疣集)", contents regarding the proofreading of "Euibangyoochui(醫方類聚)" between Im Won-jun and Kim Su-On shows the publication process of "Euibangyoochui(醫方類聚)" at the reign of King Sungjong. His outstanding achievements are largely due to the medical book-reading officer system implemented around the time "Euibangyoochui (醫方類聚)" was published. The medical book-reading officer system aimed to increase the knowledge of various matters for the civil service bureaucrats, allowing them to become high-ranking officials in the fields of technology. Its another purpose was to compile specialty publications. Many of the civil service bureaucrats who participated in the medical book publications arranged the theoretical basis of medicine and modified experience medicine to a new medical system. The first edition of "Euibangyoochui(醫方類聚)" at King Sejong's reign collected vast medical information into 365 books. Then it was corrected during King Sejo's reign then finally completed and published at King Seongjong's reign. During this period, the experience medicine inherited from Goryeo Dynasty was reestablished into a new form of theoretical interpretation.