조선초 왜구의 퇴조와 조선 조정의 ‘회유책’에 대한 비판적 검토 - 1396년(태조 5년) 나가온 왜구 집단의 투항과김사형의 이키･대마도 정벌군 출진 간의 인과관계를 중심으로-

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is (i) to study the background and appearance of the surrender of Nakaon(羅可溫)’s Waegu (or Wakou or Japanese marauders ; 倭寇) group on Decemer 9, 1396, which was the first and largest surrender by Waegu in early Joseon period, and (ii) to review the current prevailing view on this issue. The current prevailing view is that the main background of Waegu surrenders in early Joseon period was the “appeasement policy” by the Joseon government. However, this view has no ground in relevant historical documents, only showing several material conflicts with them. This paper sets forth four points supporting the opinion that the campaigns of Kim Sahyeong(金士衡)’s conquering army in December 1396 were the backgrounds of the Nakaon Waegu’s surrender, as follows: First, it is likely that Nakaon Waegu acquired the information regarding the Kim’s army during the battle which was made from late November to early December of 1396. Nakaon Waegu were scared of the Joseon’s aggresive military actions, and hence surrendered. Second, the tasks of the Kim’s army were both the conquest of Iki Island and Tsushima and the subjugation of Waegu in Korea. It means that the Joseon government integrated all defensing resources into one under the command system of the Kim’s army for the suppression of Waegu. Third, the surrender of Nakaon Waegu led to the achievement of the goal by the Kim’s army without any actual military campaign in Iki or Tsushima, which was the reason why the Joseon government ardently welcomed the Kim’s return to Seoul. Fourth, the surrender of Nakaon Waegu was made only within the limited scope. They temporarily stopped hostile actions against Joseon, but they continued retaining their original troops and warships almost as before. Accordingly, as the Joseon government was vigilant against the surrendered Waegu, it separated the Waegu leaders and permitted only a limited number of surrendered Waegu, which was 10, to enter Seoul. Also, the Joseon government attempted or planned at least twice to attack the surrendered Waegu staying in Kyoungsang-do. The current prevailing view for the “appeasement policy” of the Joseon government has not provided effective explanation on what the above facts mean. Further studies would be necessary for the establishment of a new theory to substitute for the current prevailing view.