The Suzerain shall reign with grace and dignity, facing the south in humility. Embodying truth and righteousness, honouring virtue and recognising merit, the Suzerain shall bear witness to order being maintained throughout the Commonwealth by simply allowing his robes to fall and folding his hands. The Suzerain shall carry out his kingly responsibilities with integrity and impartiality; following the Kingly Way of Humaneness free from personal bias. By avoiding self-interest and favouritism, he shall embrace the righteous Kingly Way of Humaneness. Through fairness and impartiality, the Kingly Way of Humaneness becomes wide and enduring; by remaining unbiased and fair, it becomes open and accessible. By avoiding distortion and one-sidedness, the Kingly Way of Humaneness remains correct and direct. Striving for excellence always, and constantly aiming for the highest standards.
Article III(2), Constitution of the Myeong Commonwealth
The Myeong Commonwealth is a free confederation united under a constitutional monarchy, which serves as a central symbol of unity and continuity. The monarch, while a figurehead, holds no executive, legislative, judicial, prosecutorial, or supervisory powers. These functions are carried out by confederal authorities, including His Majesty’s Government and the Commonwealth Assembly, both of which are appointed through transparent, democratic processes ensuring fairness and openness.
The Emperor of the Myeong Commonwealth is constitutionally required to maintain strict impartiality and remain detached from political matters. As stipulated in Article III(5) of the Constitution of the Myeong Commonwealth, the monarch has no authority to veto or interfere with decisions made by:
Either or both chambers of the Commonwealth Assembly
His Majesty’s Government
The Supreme Court of Justice
The Commonwealth Prosecutorate
The Commonwealth Inspectorate
Independent statutory commissions outlined in the Constitution
Public authorities of confederal subjects
This separation ensures that the ceremonial and symbolic duties of the monarch are distinct from the operational governance of the Commonwealth, promoting efficiency and clarity in the administration of state functions.
The constitutional monarchy of the Myeong Commonwealth represents values such as allegiance, duty, and hierarchy, which remain vital for the stability and cohesion of any thriving society. The monarchy also plays a key role in preserving cultural heritage and fostering international relations, contributing to the Commonwealth’s stability and global presence. By having a monarch as a non-political, enduring head of state—rather than a temporary politician or appointee—the Commonwealth provides its diverse population with a sense of permanence, unity, and shared identity, particularly during periods of political or social upheaval.
The Commonwealth’s governance is underpinned by democratic principles, with power distributed among confederal authorities. His Majesty’s Government and the Commonwealth Assembly work collaboratively to enact legislation, oversee executive functions, and ensure accountability. The judiciary, led by the Supreme Court of Justice, operates independently to uphold the rule of law, while the Commonwealth Prosecutorate and Inspectorate maintain oversight and integrity across public institutions.
'Governing effortlessly by doing nothing: it must be the Sage Sovereign! What did he do? He did nothing but reverently sat on his Throne, uprightly facing the south.”
Sage Confucius
THE CONFUCIAN
MANSEYA
The honorific Manseya (만세야) ('Lord of Ten Thousand Years') is used to address HM The Emperor, who holds the spiritual title 'Suzerain of All-Under-Heaven' according to the ancient Confucian doctrine of 'There is Nowhere Under Heaven That is Not the Suzerein's' (하늘 아래 왕의 땅 아닌 곳이 없다), as a form of respect and reverence.
Within the polity of the constitutional monarchy of the Myeong Commonwealth, the role of HM The Emperor is largely ceremonial. Following Ming court practice, the Commonwealth confers the title of Manseya on HM The Emperor (pictured here, accompanied by HM The Empress Consort) and his legitimate successors. HM The Emperor retains significant moral responsibilities despite lacking legal and political powers.
Article III of the Constitution of the Commonwealth spells out the universal monarch's full title as 'By the Grace of God, the Emperor of the Myeong Commonwealth, Suzerain of All-Under-Heaven, Defender of the Way' (황천상제의 은총으로의, 명연방황제, 천하공주, 왕도수호자). As 'Defender of the Way,' HM The Emperor has a unique constitutional responsibility—as a prospective Sage King—to admonish, from time to time, the entire Commonwealth to organise their lives in greater accord with the Way of humaneness, justice, propriety, wisdom, and trustworthiness, through documents known as 'Exhortations.' Exhortations are not legally binding.
Using the Manseya title for the Suzerain during the Ming Empire was a way to express hope in the Emperor's longevity and divine mandate to reign. In traditional Confucian culture, the number ten thousand symbolises infinity or an immeasurable quantity, so calling the Suzerain the 'Lord of Ten Thousand Years' is a way of wishing him a long reign.
HM THE EMPEROR
성상폐하
HM The Emperor, reign name Seongchi (성치) ('He Who Reigns as a Sage'), personal name Joo Sung-jun (주숭준), formerly the Convenor of the Constituent Assembly and a Founding Father of the Myeong Commonwealth, acceded to the throne on 12 August Yunghui 117 (2023). A Confucian philosopher, he is known for his passion in promoting traditional familial values throughout the Commonwealth and beyond with humane love, and for tirelessly performing charitable works to provide aid and support to the needy, especially those who are mentally unhealthy.
HM THE EMPRESS CONSORT
중전 폐하
HM The Empress Consort Won So-yong (원소용) is consort to HM The Emperor, and a Founding Mother of the Myeong Commonwealth in her own right, as a Representative of the Constituent Assembly. She supports her husband in his deliverance of constitutional responsibilities and is deeply involved in promoting the rights and interests of children and adolescents. Recognising the transformative power of education, she champions initiatives to improve training for teachers and the provision of educational materials to those who are marginalised and vulnerable.
IMPERIAL STANDARDS
Banner of HM The Emperor
Banner of HM The Empress Consort
The Emblem of the House of Joo features a stylised Molan flower (모란), symbolising love, resilience, determination, and the family.
THE HOUSE OF JOO
On 12 August 2023, the Constituent Assembly of the Myeong Commonwealth formally proclaimed its Chair, Joo Sung-jun (주숭준; 朱崇峻), as the Seongchi Emperor (성치황제; 聖治皇帝), thereby establishing the House of Joo (주 왕가; 朱皇家) as the ruling dynasty of the Myeong Commonwealth. This historic moment marked the inception of a new imperial lineage, rooted in centuries of tradition yet poised to lead a modern confederation. The Myeong Commonwealth named its dynastic house the House of Joo (명연방 왕실; 明聯邦皇室), drawing its name from the surname of His Majesty the Emperor, Joo Sung-jun. The surname 'Joo,' which signifies vermilion—a vivid red hue symbolising vitality, auspiciousness, and celestial authority—was deemed fitting for a dynasty tasked with reigning the 'Confederation of Sublime Illumination,' the literal meaning of the Myeong Commonwealth's name.
The House of Joo traces its lineage as a cadet branch of the Imperial House of Zhu (朱明王朝), historically associated with the Ming Empire (1368–1644), where the surname 'Zhu' is also pronounced 'Joo' in Mandarin. According to family tradition, the Seongchi Emperor is a twenty-sixth-generation descendant of Zhu Sijiu (주사구; 朱四九), a peasant from the Song Empire (960–1279) who lived in the thirteenth century. Zhu Sijiu’s third son, Zhu Xiao (주효; 朱孝), is said to be the direct ancestor of the Myeong Commonwealth’s ruling house, whereas his eldest son Zhu Chuyi (주초일; 朱初一) holds particular significance as the grandfather of Zhu Yuanzhang (주원장; 朱元璋), who founded the Ming Empire as the Hongwu Emperor.
The Hongwu Emperor posthumously conferred upon his great grandfather Zhu Sijiu the title of Yizu Emperor (의조황제; 懿祖皇帝), cementing his imperial status as the last common paternal ancestor linking the House of Zhu of the Ming and the House of Joo of the Myeong. This ancestral connection imbues the House of Joo with a profound historical legitimacy, tying the Myeong Commonwealth to the storied legacy of the Ming Empire while forging a distinct identity for a new era. As the Myeong Commonwealth seeks to navigate the complexities of the 21st century, the House of Joo stands as a symbol of continuity, cultural heritage, and enlightened governance, poised to shape the destiny of its people under the vermilion banner of the Seongchi Emperor.
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Above: Their Majesties at the establishment of The Emperor's Trust (Courtesy: HM Government).
Above: Official Photograph of Their Majesties (Courtesy: Imperial Household Agency).
Above: On 25 August Seongchi 2 (2024), Their Majesties were solemnly crowned and enthroned in Myeongdeokgung Palace, Gyeongsa. HM The Emperor was robed with the Myeonbok (면복), and HM The Empress Consort the Jeok-ui (적의), both the most solemn vestment that a Confucian monarch and his consort could wear (Courtesy: Imperial Household Agency).
THE PRIVY COUNCIL OF THE MYEONG COMMONWEALTH
The highest advisory body to the Suzerain is the Privy Council (한림원). Ex officio Privy Counselors (한림원 대학사) include the Supreme Patriarch, the Lord Chancellor, the Prime Minister, the First Deputy Prime Minister (Foreign Affairs), the Second Deputy Prime Minister (Home Affairs), the Lord Speaker of the House of Representatives of Parliament, the Lord Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Justice, the Lord Prosecutor-General, and the Lord Inspector-General.
The Lord Chancellor (한림원 대승지), appointed by the Suzerain for renewable five-year terms, upon recommendation of an independent statutory commission, will also serve as the Lord President of the Privy Council, the Lord President of the Confederal Council, the Secretary of Justice of His Majesty's Government, and the Lord President (대리관) of the Court of Appeals of the Supreme Court of Justice. This office aims to promote mutual respect and a better understanding of fundamental constitutional principles, especially the rule of law and judicial independence, among these organs of the Commonwealth.
The Suzerain must obtain the consent of the Privy Council, by a simple majority of attending Privy Counselors, before making decisions regarding his enthronement; the promulgation of charters, edicts, and letters patent; the adoption of a new reign name, the investiture of peers; the interpretation or amendment of the Grand Rules of the Imperial Household; and adbdication. The organisation of the Privy Council is to be determined by law.
THE SUPREME ORDER OF SUBLIME ILLUMINATION
The Grand Cordon of the Supreme Order of Sublime Illumination (대훈위대명대수장) is the most prestigious award of the Myeong Commonwealth. It was established in Seongchi 2 (2024) by the Seongchi Emperor as the continuation of the Grand Cordon of the Golden Ruler (대훈위 금척대수장) established in 1897 by the Gwangmu Emperor as the highest award in the Daehan Empire. The Seongchi Emperor currently serves as the Sovereign of the Supreme Order of Sublime Illumination, whose Grand Cordon is bestowed only to distinguished foreign heads of state and the most outstanding statesmen of the Myeong Commonwealth for their dedicated service to the conservation of human civilisation.
The Grand Cordon showcases the Il-wol Habmyeong (일월합명) symbol inspired by the Myeong Commonwealth flag, representing the harmonious brilliance of the sun and moon illuminating the world. This symbol signifies that individuals of virtuous character, such as the recipients of this important award, embody a genuine visibility akin to the synchronised movements of celestial bodies. It symbolises the authenticity and radiant conscience of a sage, free from pretense, insincerity, deceit, or secrecy. Those awarded the Grand Cordon can use the post-nominals 'GSOSL' after their names.
Current Members of the Supreme Order of Sublime Illumination:
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