What are the political values of the Myeong Commonwealth?

In response to past upheavals and societal transformations, the Myeong Commonwealth is rebuilding human civilisation based on the primacy of personal conscience and action over mere words. Rooted in the liberating wisdom of Sage Wang Yangmyeong (1472-1529), which affirms the potential of every human being, including the weakest and most marginalised, to become a sage, and advocates the unity of one's conscience with one's action, the Myeong Commonwealth's Constitution embodies a vision of politics where every citizen not only participates in the public affairs of a vibrant parliamentary democracy supported by the rule of law, but also prioritises the survival and advancement of humane civilisation against the threats of the collapse of civilisation in face of drastic events that might happen in the 21st century, such as a Third World War.

What is the mission of the Myeong Commonwealth?

Where is the sovereign territory of the Myeong Commonwealth located?

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As the Confucian doctrine of 'nothing beneath Heaven does not already belong to the Suzerain' (하늘 아래 왕의 땅 아닌 곳이 없다) recorded in the Classic of Odes (《시경》) goes, the Commonwealth's spiritual sovereignty transcends physical borders. It exists within the conscience in the heart-minds of all individuals, of citizens and foreigners, who acknowledge the objective truth about the existence of the Myeong Commonwealth. The Myeong Commonwealth, while consisting of real people who know and conduct affairs with each other, is primarily spiritual and aterritorial. 

However, the Myeong Commonwealth denies the validity of the First Convention of Peking of 1860, under which the Manchu Qing Empire (Daecheongguk, 대청국) outrageously ceded to Tsarist Russia a 32-km sq Korean territory (and former Ming territory during the 15th century under the Nurgan Protectorate), Nokdundo (녹둔도), without the knowledge, let alone consent of the Kingdom of Joseon, the predecessor of the Daehan Empire, whose cultural legacy and imperial lineage the Myeong Commonwealth inherits. Therefore, it can be said that, in principle, Nokdundo is a de jure possession of the Daehan Empire, whose micronational successor is none other than the Myeong Commonwealth. The Myeong Commonwealth, nonetheless, has absolutely no intention to exercise actual control over that piece of land by any means.

Does the Myeong Commonwealth have its own Constitution?

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The Myeong Commonwealth's legal system, inspired by the common law tradition, is governed by a Constitution adopted through a democratic process by a Constituent Assembly representing the spiritual remnants of the Confucian moral order. This supreme law is a manual of moral and political principles that is highly valued not just by the Myeong Commonwealth but also by everyone on the planet.

Why does the Myeong Commonwealth use an era name calendar system?

The era name system is a beautiful cultural tradition restored by the Myeong Commonwealth on continental East Asia after a lapse of over a century. The Seongchi era began on 17 August 2023, which was thereafter referred to as 'Seongchi 1'. On the advice and consent of the Privy Council, HM The Emperor adopted as his era name 'Seongchi' (성치), taken from the chapter bearing the same name from the Confucian Classic of Filial Piety (《효경》). The relevant passage reads 'The wisdom of the Sages prevails through gentle guidance; their government manifests in harmony not harshness. For they stand on a strong foundation.' (Hanja: 聖人之教，不肅而成，其政不嚴而治，其所因者本也。)  

Era names, or yeonho (연호), have been a significant component of calendar systems in the Sinosphere for almost two millennia. It consists of two parts: the era name itself and a numerical indication of the year within that era. The characters chosen to form an era name tend to be taken from meaningful verses selected from the Confucian classics and venerable historical documents. This elegant practice has been abandoned in most East Asian macronations with the ascendancy of secular republicanism everywhere. Today, Japan is the only macronation that continues to use era names officially and in government documents. The era name of incumbent Emperor of Japan is Reiwa (令和), which started on 1 May 2019, and means 'a culture born and nurtured by people coming together beautifully.'

Era names have their origins in the Han Empire in around 140 BCE, under the rule of Emperor Mu (r. 141-87 BC). Similar systems of era names gradually developed in Japan, Korea, and Vietnam. Joseon Korea had since its founding used the era names of the Ming Empire in an official and later unofficial manner, until 1897, instead of coming up with its own era names.

Before the founding of the Ming Empire in 1368, monarchs often used multiple names during their reigns, leading to the use of multiple era names for a single monarch, resulting in confusion and sometimes chaos in the recording of events. In 1368, the Hongmu Emperor (홍무제) (r. 1368-1398) initiated the practice of assigning one era name to each monarch, establishing the 'one-era-name-for-a-reign system' (Hagul: 일세일원; Hanja: 一世一元). Thereafter, the era name had also become the de facto reign name of any given emperor.

What are the opportunities and responsibilities of citizenship in the Myeong Commonwealth?

Individuals aged 18 and above can become Spiritual Citizens of the Myeong Commonwealth by registering on this website, accepting the Constitution, and acknowledging the Myeong Emperor as the Head of the Commonwealth. Citizenship is confirmed through a Spiritual Citizenship electronic certificate. Opportunities of Spiritual Citizens include establishing businesses within the Commonwealth. Obligations of Spiritual Citizens can be found in the Constitution. Spiritual Citizens cannot vote nor take up public office.

The Myeong Commonwealth encourages people worldwide to become Spiritual Citizens and partake in the daunting but most meaningful mission of re-civilising a world torn by contemporary barbarism—secularism, atheism, armed conflict, extremism,  terrorism, the sexual revolution, mass gender dysphoria, and the modern collapse of aesthetics.

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How can Full Citizenship of the Myeong Commonwealth be attained?

Full Citizenship of the Myeong Commonwealth, ordinarily attained after at least one probational year under the monitoring of the Home Office of His Majesty's Government, grants privileges such as voting in public elections and holding public positions mentioned in the Constitution in Commonwealth authorities, including His Majesty's Government, the Houses of the Commonwealth Assembly, the Supreme Court of Justice, the Commonwealth Prosecutorate, and the Commonwealth Inspectorate. Full Citizens have access to current and future online services, contributing to the development and governance of the Myeong Commonwealth.

Full citizens aged 18 and above need to pay taxes, whenever required, which will form part of the Myeong Commonwealth's annual budget, supporting the confederation's objectives and operations. The House of Peoples of the Commonwealth Assembly makes decisions on budget allocations, covering administrative costs, events, and parliamentary sessions. Notice that His Majesty's Government has never taxed Full Citizens since the Founding of the Myeong Commonwealth in August Seongchi 1 (2023).

Can children become Full Citizens of the Myeong Commonwealth?

Minors can obtain Full Citizenship if at least one parent (biological or adopted) holds Full Citizenship. A written request must be submitted to the Home Office of His Majesty's Government for minors to acquire Full Citizenship status.

Does the Myeong Commonwealth lay any claims over territories controlled by South Korea and North Korea?

The Myeong Commonwealth is not related to or in any form of competition with the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. It does not lay any territorial claim over lands controlled by the Republic of Korea or the Democratic People's Republic of Korea. The Myeong Commonwealth deems both Koreas as independent sovereign states whose  macronational sovereignties deserve recognition and respect. 

Does the Myeong Commonwealth intend to expand its population and territory?

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No. The Myeong Commonwealth has no active plan to expand its population, except through natural pregnancies amongst existing citizens, and approvals of requests of other micronations participating in the Myeong Commonwealth as Associated States. 

Is the Myeong Commonwealth a secessionist movement?

No, the Myeong Commonwealth is not a secessionist movement. The Myeong Commonwealth, is a spiritual realm, which does not secede from any existing territorial sovereign state in order to create a new territorial sovereign state. The Myeong Commonwealth respects the sovereignty and territorial integrity of all Members of the United Nations, including the Republic of Korea and the Democratic People's Republic of Korea, and is firmly committed to not commenting on, let alone participating in macronational politics.

Does the Myeong Commonwealth issue passports?

In general, no. The Myeong Commonwealth issues diplomatic passports only to those working for His Majesty's Government whose responsibilities include visiting foreign micronations, and only when those micronations demand diplomatic passports. It does not issue passports to ordinary citizens, including public servants whose work does not relate to external relations.

Does Myeong citizenship entitle a person to diplomatic protection or assistance in any jurisdiction of the world? 

No. Myeong citizenship, whether Full Citizenship or Spiritual Citizenship, does not entitle a person to diplomatic protection or assistance in any jurisdiction of the world. Myeongeans must abide by the laws of whichever jurisdiction or territory that they are located in.

​Does Myeong citizenship entitle me to live or work in Korea or the rest of East Asia? 

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No. Myeong citizenship does not entitle anyone to live or work in any territory controlled by any recognised member state of the United Nations. Officers of the Immigration Service of His Majesty's Government are not authorised to provide personal references to Myeong citizens seeking legal entry to any territorial sovereign state.

Do I need to be an ethnic Korean in order to become a Myeong citizen?

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No. The Myeong Commonwealth draws its members from all over the world, wherever they are based, without regard to their ethnicity and macronationality. The Myeong Commonwealth allows those not from an East Asian cultural background or never exposed to Confucian civilisation to become a member of an East Asian cultural and religious community. However, there is at least one caveat: every citizen of the Myeong Commonwealth must choose for himself or herself a surname and name writable in Hangul and Hanmun with no more than three characters.

Why do you sometimes call yourselves a 'crowned republic'? Is that not a contradiction in terms?

The Myeong Commonwealth is a republic, because every citizen enjoys political equality, in the sense of being able to take part in one-person-one-vote House of Peoples General Election. It is for the House of Peoples to choose the Prime Minister, and for the Prime Minister from amongst other duly elected Members of the Commonwealth Assembly to become Secretaries of the Commonwealth of His Majesty's Government. The Commonwealth Assembly and the Government are locked in a relationship of checks and balances with other constitutional institutions, including the Supreme Court of Justice, the Commonwealth Procuratorate, and the Commonwealth Inspectorate, under the grand scheme of things outlined in the Constitution of the Myeong Commonwealth.

However, the Myeong Commonwealth is not an ordinary republic but a 'crowned' republic. Although major public powers are exercised by government officials hand-in-hand with elected representatives, a constitutional hereditary monarch exists as the ceremonial Head of the Commonwealth, whose role is largely symbolic, devoid of all public powers. Constitutional monarchy provides stability and continuity in governance as the monarch embodies the nation's history, religion, traditions, and moral values, transcending political changes and partisan differences.

What is the relationship between the Myeong Commonwealth and the Ming Empire?

The Kingdom of Joseon (조선국) (1392-1910) and its suzerain, the Ming Empire (대명국) (1368-1662) had a close trade and diplomatic relationship. The Hongmu Emperor of Ming personally selected 'Joseon' ('fresh dawn') to be the name of the new Kingdom and settled borders with King Taejo of Joseon through peaceful negotiations in 1392. Both realms shared Neo-Confucian ideals, with Joseon being the most favoured tributary of the Ming Court. The Ming militarily assisted Joseon Korea during Toyotomi Hideyoshi's invasions (1592-1598), and in return, Joseon supported the Ming against the invading Manchus. After the Ming's demise in the hands of the Manchus, Joseon adopted the Sojunghwa (대명국) ('Little China') ideology, asserting itself as the legitimate heir to Ming civilisation, and retaining the attire, etiquette, and scholarship of the Ming for its own. Joseon also continued to use Ming reign periods long after nominally submitting to the Manchus. In 1897, the penultimate Joseon monarch, King Gojong, ascended the imperial throne of the Daehan Empire (대한제국 ) (1897-1910) as the Gwangmu Emperor in the regalia of the Ming emperor, according to the rites used by the Ming court.

All traditions, practices, and institutions of the Ming Empire, the Kingdom of Joseon, and the Daehan Empire consistent with the Constitution are upheld, preserved, revitalised, and promoted by the Myeong Commonwealth. Conversely, all traditions, practices, and institutions of the same that conflict with the Constitution, including but not limited to absolute monarchy, arbitrary arrest and detention, centralisation that undermines checks and balances, collective punishment, covert judicial proceedings, forced labour, the use of clandestine courts, the participation of eunuchs in the management of the Imperial Household and of public affairs, political censorship, polygamy, punitive measures involving violence, conviction and sentencing without fair and public trials, and the deployment of secret police by the state, are strictly prohibited.

Why does the Myeong Commonwealth refuse to recognise the legitimacy of the defunct Manchu Qing Empire as a legitimate Confucian imperial dynasty of continental East Asia?

The Manchu Qing Empire (Daecheongguk, 대청국) was founded by the Manchus, also known as the Jurchens, who were barbarians previously subject to the Ming Empire and the Kingdom of Joseon.  the Manchu Empire stands guilty of heinous deeds - from the brutal massacres in Yangjeo (양저) to the heartless slaying of the defenseless last Ming monarch, the Yeonglyeok Emperor (영력제) (r. 1646-1662) and his noble Crown Prince Constantine in 1662, rather than through the traditional Confucian method of a peaceful transferal of power through the rite of seon-yang (선양). 

Seizing the Dragon Throne, the Manchus imposed cruel policies of cultural genocide. In the eyes of the Myeongean tradition, these usurpers could never be deemed as rightful heirs to the glorious lineage of the revered sovereigns going back all the way to the Emperor Bokhui (복희), original author of the Yeokgyeong (I Ching)​. The Manchus coerced, on the pain of death, non-Manchu men to submit to the indignity of shaving their foreheads and adorning themselves in foreign nomadic garb, and imposed draconian speech restrictions called 'literary inquisition' (문자의 옥) that suffocated the development of Confucian thought. These were all irreconcilable with Confucian teaching about proper attire, etiquette, and filial piety. 

During the Qing hegemony, following the collapse of the Ming, Joseon Korea maintained its role in the tributary system as a vassal state to the dominant empire of continental East Asia. Nevertheless, Joseon had always seen the Qing as an illegitimate barbaric usurper regime, as evidenced by Korea's continued adherence and development of Ming Empire attire, hair-style, and etiquette into the Hanbok culture. Joseon, and its successor, the Daehan Empire, identified themselves to be the final stronghold of Sojunghwa and saw themselves as the legitimate heirs to the late Ming Empire, until they were conquered by the Empire of Japan in 1910.

The Myeong Commonwealth, as the spiritual successor of the Ming Empire, permanently condemns and refuses to recognise the legitimacy of the Qing Empire and its successor, the Manchukuo (만주국) (1932-1945), which was also a puppet state of Imperial Japan during the Second World War.