Bodung

Bodung, in Korean history, refers to a system of selecting officials through a lottery system. It was primarily implemented during the Joseon dynasty, although its roots can be traced back to earlier periods. The Bodung system aimed to reduce factionalism and corruption by randomly assigning officials to certain positions, particularly those that were traditionally highly sought after and therefore vulnerable to influence peddling.

The mechanics of Bodung typically involved writing the names of eligible candidates on slips of paper, placing them in a box or other container, and then randomly drawing names to fill the designated positions. The specific procedures varied depending on the office and the period. While Bodung was intended to promote fairness, it was not without its limitations and criticisms. Concerns were often raised about the potential for unqualified individuals being selected, leading to inefficiency or incompetence in government administration. Despite these drawbacks, Bodung represented a sincere effort to mitigate the negative effects of political maneuvering and ensure a more equitable distribution of power and responsibility within the Joseon bureaucracy. The use of Bodung was intermittent, and its effectiveness debated throughout the Joseon dynasty.