Abstract
The medical bureaucrats was awarded by Wonjong (原從) meritorious retainer were 376 peoples in the Joseon Dynasty. It was not done research on this is accurate so far. Why did they get Wonjong (原從) meritorious retainer? I have found a general rule of the investiture through review of the nokhundogamuigwe (錄勳都監儀軌). The Sillok(實錄) and other materials were used as an adjunct in the investigation. Through the analysis of this medical bureaucrats, This study aims to investigate the change in the social status of the Joseon Dynasty's medical officials. The conclusion of this paper is as follows. First, the social status of medical bureaucrat was similar to that of yangban (兩班) in early days of Joseon Dynasty compared with mid or late days of Joseon Dynasty. Second, bastard households are concentrated in the second half of the 16th century to the early 17th century to advance to the medical officials. Third, acupuncture doctors increased social status by the mid-Joseon Dynasty. Fourth, statutes about Wonjong (原從) meritorious retainer was raising the social status of medical bureaucrat compared to other technical officials.