In the long history of the Joseon Dynasty, there is a special group of women, who are supposed to be angels who save lives and help the wounded, but are entrusted with despicable duties. They are the female doctors of North Korea, also known as "medical women". But why does this supposedly respectable profession have such a special name in North Korea? What is even more puzzling is that these female doctors also have a duty that people are ashamed to talk about. This duty is not only contrary to medical ethics, but also a great insult to the dignity of women. What are the historical reasons that led to the emergence of such an absurd system? How did these female doctors get to such a point? Let's unravel this long-lost mystery of history.
1. The medical dilemma of the Joseon Dynasty
As everyone knows, the Joseon Dynasty was deeply influenced by Chinese culture, and its reputation as a country of etiquette spread all over the world. However, underneath this religion lies an unspeakable medical dilemma. This predicament stems from the Joseon Dynasty's great emphasis on the defense of men and women, which can be described as a model of "men and women do not kiss".
It is said that at the beginning of the establishment of the Joseon Dynasty, Taizu Lee Sung-gye promulgated strict etiquette laws. It stipulates that, except for husband and wife, men and women are not allowed to be alone with each other, let alone have skin to skin. This was supposed to maintain social morality, but it inadvertently planted the root of medical problems.
Imagine, in such a social environment, if the concubines in the palace are infected with diseases, how should they be treated? Male doctors can't get close, but there are no female doctors in the palace. How good is that?
One year, an embarrassing incident happened in the palace of the Joseon king. A much-loved concubine suddenly fell seriously ill, with a high fever that did not go away, and her face was as pale as paper. The king was anxious, but helpless. Although there are imperial doctors in the palace, no one can diagnose and treat this concubine. Seeing that the concubine's condition was getting worse, the king could only watch his beloved struggle on the sickbed.
In the end, the concubine unfortunately passed away. The king was grief-stricken and angry at the absurdity of the system. He realized that such a tragedy could not happen again. So, a bold idea sprung up in his head.
The king convened his ministers to discuss countermeasures, and it was suggested that the Chinese imperial hospital system could be modeled on and train female doctors. This proposal was approved by the king, and the system of "medical women" came into being.
The Joseon Dynasty began to select bright and clever girls from all over the country and send them to the palace to learn medicine. These girls are young but have a great mission. They studied hard day and night, studying medical skills, so that they could relieve the pain of the ladies in the palace in the future.
However, things are not so simple. Although these "medical women" have solved the medical problems of the ladies in the palace, they have also become a special group. They are different from ordinary palace maids and noble concubines, and they are in an awkward position.
Once, when a "medical woman" was treating a concubine, she overheard some palace secrets. When the news reached the king's ears, the king was furious, believing that these "medicine girls" might leak the secrets of the palace. As a result, the scope of activities of the "medical women" is further restricted, and they can only move in specific areas.
In this way, although the "medicine girls" have superb medical skills, they lose their freedom. They have become a special scenery in the palace, both needed and vigilant. This contradictory situation laid the groundwork for the evolution of the "medical woman" system in the future.
With the passage of time, the "medical woman" system was gradually improved. Not only were they proficient in medicine, but they also had to be familiar with court etiquette. Whenever the ladies of the palace fell ill, the "healed women" were summoned to use their professional skills. In a way, they became a bridge between the harem and the outside world.
However, the gears of fate always turn inadvertently. No one could have imagined that this system, which was supposed to solve the medical dilemma, would eventually evolve into a disgraceful existence. And the turning point of all this happened during the reign of the mediocre Yanshan Jun.
2. The cultivation and responsibilities of "medical women".
With the establishment of the "medical woman" system, the Joseon Dynasty began an unprecedented program of talent training. This plan not only changed the medical landscape in North Korea, but also brought a fresh atmosphere to the harem.
The Joseon Dynasty launched a nationwide selection campaign. Officials traveled around the mountain villages and islands in search of good-looking, intelligent girls around the age of 10. The selected girls will be sent to a specialized hospital in Seoul (present-day Seoul) for rigorous medical training.
The training in the hospital can be described as extremely demanding. Girls begin with basic literacy and work their way up to medical texts. Books such as "Treasure of Eastern Medicine" and "Introduction to Medicine" have become compulsory courses for them. In addition to theoretical knowledge, they also learn practical skills such as pulse diagnosis, acupuncture, and herbal identification.
There is a girl named Kim Jiso, because of her extraordinary talent and diligent and diligent study attitude, she has become a leader in the hospital. Not only can she memorize a large number of medical classics, but she is also proficient in the use of various medical instruments. Once, the daughter of a high-ranking official suddenly fell ill, and the imperial doctor in the palace was helpless, Kim Jisoo was ordered to successfully treat this noble woman with her skillful acupuncture skills and accurate judgment of the condition. This incident caused a sensation in the government and the opposition, and also further improved the status of the "medical woman".
However, medical knowledge is not the only skill that "medical women" need to master. In order to be able to work freely in the palace, they also had to learn court etiquette, literature and art, and even singing and dancing. These skills, which seem to have nothing to do with medical skills, actually laid the groundwork for the transformation of the role of "doctor girl" in the future.
After years of rigorous training, these girls have finally grown into qualified "medical women". They were assigned to various parts of the palace and were mainly responsible for taking care of the health of the harem concubines and princesses. Every morning, the "medical women" have to check the pulse of the women in the palace at a fixed time and record their physical conditions. If someone fell ill, the "medical women" had to write a prescription and make the decoction themselves.
In the palace, although the status of the "medical girls" is not as good as that of the concubines, it is much higher than that of ordinary palace maids. They have their own living quarters, called the "Doctor's Hall". Here, the "medical women" can continue to study medicine and discuss incurable diseases.
One year, a strange disease was prevalent in the uterus, the symptoms were high fever and red rashes. Many concubines and court ladies were infected with this disease, and the imperial doctors were helpless. At this moment, a "medical girl" named Li Zhenyue stood up. She recalled seeing similar case descriptions when she was studying the Eastern Medicine Treasure Book, so she boldly proposed a recipe for decoction with willow bark. Under her treatment, the sick concubines and court ladies gradually recovered. This incident made the position of the "medicine girls" in the palace more stable.
However, the duties of the "medical women" are not limited to medical treatment. Because they often go in and out of various palaces and come into contact with many palace secrets, they are also given some special tasks. For example, they had to report to the king regularly on the situation of the harem, including the health of the concubines, their living habits, and even their emotional changes. This made the "medicine girls" invisibly an important channel for the king to understand the harem.
As time passed, the roles of the "medical women" became more and more complex. They were not only doctors, but also informants, and were sometimes even asked to participate in various activities in the palace. At some important court banquets, the "medicine women" would be arranged to stand by in case someone suddenly fell ill. Over time, some "medical women" began to participate in the service of the banquet, pouring wine and tea for the guests.
This blurring of roles has laid a hidden danger for the deterioration of the "medical woman" system in the future. At that time, people did not realize that this seemingly insignificant change was actually quietly changing the essence of the "medical woman". It wasn't until Yan Shanjun ascended the throne that this potential crisis really broke out, pushing the "medical women" into a despicable situation.
3. The deterioration of the Yanshanjun period
After the most mediocre monarch in the history of Joseon, Yeonsan-kun, ascended the throne, the originally sacred system of "medicine women" began to degenerate. Instead of cherishing the precious medical resources left by his ancestors, the promiscuous king used them as a tool to satisfy his personal desires.
At the beginning of Yan Shanjun's ascension to the throne, his performance was normal. However, as time passed, his true nature was revealed. Once, a banquet was held in the palace, and Yan Shanjun drank too much and suddenly felt unwell. The royal physicians in the palace were terrified, fearing that improper treatment would anger the king. At this time, a "medical girl" named Cui Shanmei stepped forward, and she used a unique acupuncture technique to relieve Yan Shanjun's discomfort.
Yan Shanjun was full of praise for Cui Shanmei's medical skills, and immediately ordered her to be allowed to go in and out of his palace frequently. At first, Choi Sun-mi simply provided medical services for Yan Shanjun. But soon, Yan Shanjun began to have other thoughts about her. He began to ask Choi Sun-mi to sing and dance for him outside of medical treatment, and even accompany him.
This move caused an uproar in the palace. Ministers have written one after another, believing that this violates the ancestral system and harms the national system. However, Yan Shanjun turned a deaf ear and intensified his efforts. Not only did he continue to keep Choi Sun-mi, but he also began to select outstanding people from among the other "medical women" and place them around his palace.
With the passage of time, Yan Shanjun's requirements for "medical women" became more and more excessive. No longer satisfied with their medical services and cabarets, he began to ask them to participate in all sorts of absurd court activities. Once, Yan Shanjun actually ordered the "medical girls" to wear light clothes and dance on the ice in the cold winter to make fun.
This kind of behavior not only undermines the dignity of the "medical woman", but also desecrates the entire medical system. Some upright "medicine girls" tried to resist, but they were soon punished by Yan Shanjun. There is a "medical girl" named Park Xiuzhen, who was demoted to the lowest court maid because she refused to participate in Yan Shanjun's absurd behavior, and washed the dishes and chopsticks in the kitchen all day long.
Yeonsan-kun's actions soon spread throughout the Joseon Dynasty. Various rumors about "medical women" began to circulate among the people. The originally respected "medical girl" gradually became a lowly existence in the eyes of the people. Some even began to wonder if these "medicine girls" really knew how to heal, or if they were just the king's playthings.
This deterioration not only affected the social status of the "medical women", but also seriously damaged the medical system of the Joseon Dynasty. Many talented women are no longer willing to become "medical women", resulting in a lack of medical talents in the palace. Some "medical women" who were originally proficient in medical skills have gradually lost their medical skills due to the long-term inability to display their talents.
More seriously, Yeonsan-kun's actions began to affect the entire North Korean society. Some powerful people followed Yan Shanjun's example and began to set up a similar system of "medical women" in their mansions. These so-called "medical women" are actually just the playthings of these powerful people, and they have not received formal medical training at all.
This continued for many years until Yan Shanjun was deposed. However, the reputation of the "medical woman" system has been severely damaged and can no longer be restored to its former status. Even in the Zhongzong period after Yan Shanjun, the imperial court tried to restore the normal function of the "medical woman", but with little success.
There is a "medicine girl" named Kim Young-ae, who was known for her superb medical skills during the Yanshanjun period. During the Zhongzong period, she repeatedly suggested that the "medical woman" system be reorganized and its original medical function should be restored. However, because the prejudice against "medical women" has become deeply ingrained in society, her advice has never been adopted.
In the end, the originally sacred profession of "medical woman" left an embarrassing mark in the history of North Korea. They have gone from being angels saving the dead to being the playthings of the powerful. This history is not only a personal tragedy for the "medical women", but also a tragedy for the entire North Korean medical system.
Fourth, the decline of the medical woman system
With the end of the tyranny of Yansanjun and the accession of the new king Jungjong to the throne, the Joseon Dynasty ushered in a brief recuperation. However, the reputation of the "medical woman" system has suffered a heavy blow, and it is difficult to regain its former glory. Although Zhongzong had the intention to rectify, he had little success in the face of deep-rooted social prejudices.
In this turbulent period, a "medical girl" named Hong Yuzhen stood out. Born into a declining Yangban (Korean aristocracy) family, she was elected to the palace for medical training at a young age. Hong Yuzhen was gifted, diligent and studious, and soon mastered superb medical skills. During the reign of Yan Shanjun, she was demoted to the rank of ordinary court maid for refusing to participate in absurd court activities, but she never gave up her pursuit of medicine.
After Zhongzong ascended the throne, Hong Yuzhen was reused with her excellent medical skills. Once, the queen suddenly fell ill, and the imperial doctor in the palace was helpless. Hong Yuzhen was ordered to use unique acupuncture techniques and prescriptions to successfully treat the queen. This incident attracted the attention of Zhongzong, who began to pay attention to the medical function of the "medical woman" and ordered the restoration of the normal status of the "medical woman".
However, societal prejudices don't change overnight. Many ministers still have prejudices about "medical women", believing that they are nothing more than "entertainment tools" left by Yan Shanjun. Some people even wrote a letter suggesting that the "medical woman" system be completely abolished in order to prevent future troubles.
Faced with this situation, Hong Yuzhen decided to take action. She united a group of like-minded "medical women" and began to practice medicine among the people. They walked the streets and alleys of Seoul to diagnose and treat the sick of the poor without charging a penny. Gradually, the good deeds of the "medical women" spread throughout Seoul, and the people's perception of them began to change.
One year, a severe plague broke out in Seoul. The medical officers of the imperial court were helpless, and the death toll was increasing day by day. At this critical moment, Hong Yuzhen led a group of "medical women" to come forward. According to the records in the "Eastern Medical Treasures" and combined with their own clinical experience, they developed a special prescription. Thanks to their efforts, the plague was finally brought under control.
This incident made both the court and the people re-realize the value of "medical women". Zhongzong took the opportunity to order the full restoration of the "medical women" system, and strictly stipulated that "medical women" could only engage in medical work and were not allowed to participate in other activities. However, social prejudices that have developed over time are not easy to eliminate. Many families are still reluctant to let their daughters become "medical women", resulting in a continuous decline in the number of "medical women".
Over time, the "medical woman" system, although nominally restored, has become unsustainable in practice. By the time of Seonjo, the number of "medical women" was running out. The imperial court had to start recruiting female doctors from the people, but the status and treatment of these female doctors were far inferior to the former "medical women".
In the process, some "medical women" began to leave the court and open clinics among the people. The most famous of these is a "medical girl" named Li Shuzhen. She quickly rose to fame by opening a clinic specializing in gynecological conditions in Seongnam, Seoul. Many aristocratic women came here, and some even traveled long distances to come from other places to seek medical treatment.
Li Shuzhen's success has inspired more "medical women" to go to the people. With their medical skills, they have earned a place in society. Although their status is no longer comparable to that of the "medical women" of yesteryear, they still play an important role in North Korean society, especially in the fields of gynecology and pediatrics.
However, with the introduction of Western medicine, the traditional system of "medical women" faced greater challenges. Some young women are choosing to study Western medicine, often with a higher social status than traditional "medical women". By the time of Gaozong, the title of "medicine woman" had almost disappeared from history.
Despite this, the contributions of the "medical women" have not been completely forgotten. In the history of North Korean medicine, they have left a strong mark. Many of the treatments created or improved by the "medicine woman" are still used in Korean medicine today. More importantly, they paved the way for North Korean women to enter the medical field and set an example for future generations of female doctors.
5. The historical influence and modern inheritance of the medical woman system
With the end of the Joseon Dynasty, the ancient profession of "medical woman" gradually disappeared into the long river of history. However, their mark on the history of North Korean medicine, and their impact on women's participation in the medical profession, is far from fading. To this day, the historical legacy of the "medical woman" system still plays a subtle role in Korean society.
In the development of medical education in modern Korea, the influence of the "medical woman" system is clearly visible. In 1928, the Medical Training Institute affiliated to the Joseon Governor's Hospital admitted female students for the first time, creating a precedent for modern female medical education in Korea. Behind this decision, there is undoubtedly a shadow of the "medical woman" tradition. In the public opinion at that time, some people compared these new-style female medical students to the ancient "medical women", believing that they were the modern inheritors of the spirit of "medical women".
Among the earliest female medical students, there was a student named Kim Myung-hee who stood out. She is the descendant of a "medical woman" who has been exposed to medicine since she was a child. While studying Western medicine, Kim Myung-hee did not forget the essence of traditional medicine. She often spends her spare time studying ancient books such as "The Treasure of Eastern Medicine", combining traditional medicine with Western medicine. After graduating, Kim Myung-hee became one of the first female doctors in South Korea, and her medical style combined the gentleness and thoughtfulness of a "medical woman" with the scientific rigor of modern medicine, and won wide acclaim from patients.
With the development of the times, more and more Korean women are devoting themselves to the medical profession. In this process, the spirit of the "medical girl" has been inherited and developed to a certain extent. For example, in the 60s of the 20th century, there was a severe cholera epidemic in South Korea. At that time, a group of young female doctors spontaneously organized themselves and went deep into the epidemic area to provide treatment. Their spirit of fearless and tireless work reminds people of the deeds of the ancient "medicine girl" who stood up in the plague.
In the field of oriental medicine, the influence of "medical women" is more direct. Many of the treatments created or improved by the "healing women" have been passed down and developed by generations and are still used today. For example, in the treatment of gynecological diseases, there is a prescription called "Yuzhusan", which is said to have been originally created by a "medical woman" named Choi Jung-sook. This medicine has been clinically proven for hundreds of years and is still one of the preferred remedies for certain gynecological conditions in Korean medicine.
In addition, the contribution of the "medical women" in acupuncture and moxibustion cannot be ignored. Traditional Korean acupuncture has many unique features, including the wisdom of the "medicine women". For example, there is a type of acupuncture known as the "Four Flower Acupoints", which is said to have been created by a "medicine woman" named Li Huashan. This acupuncture method has been very effective in treating gynecological diseases and has now become an important part of acupuncture in Oriental medicine.
In modern Korean society, although the profession of "medical woman" no longer exists, its spirit has been passed down in various forms. For example, in some traditional markets in Seoul, some elderly women can still be seen sitting in front of small stalls performing simple medical services such as moxibustion, cupping, etc. Although these women do not have a formal medical education, their existence is to some extent a continuation of the tradition of "medical women" serving ordinary people.
In the field of academic research, "medical women" has also become a subject of attention. In recent years, some scholars in South Korea have begun to delve into the history of the "medical woman" system in an attempt to draw useful lessons from it. For example, a research team at Seoul National University is conducting a research project called "Medical Women and the Development of Korean Medicine", which aims to comprehensively sort out the contributions of "medical women" in the history of Korean medicine.
Not only that, but the image of the "medical woman" often appears in Korean literature and film and television works. These works often portray the "medicine woman" as wise, brave, and compassionate, reflecting the collective memory and beautiful imagination of modern Koreans about this ancient profession. For example, in the Korean drama "Queen Cheolin" broadcast in 2019, there is a role of a "medical woman", although the plot is somewhat fictional, it also reflects the status and role of "medical girl" in North Korean society to a certain extent.
In contemporary Korea, although the term "medical woman" has faded into obscurity, their spiritual heritage is still influencing the medical industry and social culture of Korea in various forms. In a sense, every Korean woman who dedicates her life to the medical profession is a modern inheritor of the spirit of the ancient "medical woman". Their existence has made this ancient and humanistic profession gain new vitality in modern society.