김덕령 옥사(獄事)사건에 대한 고찰

Abstract

The objective of this essay is to research the process of Kim Duk Ryung's imprisonment case in order to determine the phenomena caused by the death of Kim Duk Ryung. When considering the case, the point of view that "Kim was a tragic hero severly slandered" must be reconsidered. It is true that Kim was falsely accused. However, such a point of view was made in the late seventeenth century by the Seoin in order to possess Kim exclusively and to attack the Namin. Therefore, the images of Kim made by the Seoin may be accepted unquestioningly if such a point of view is uncritically accepted. There are three possible inferences regarding the case. First, Yoon Doo Soo held a grudge against Kim because he killed Yoon Geun Soo's servant. Thus he allied with King Sunjo to falsely accuse Kim Duk Ryung. Second, the conflict between generals of armies and the leaders of righteous armies was the main cause of the case. The third ruler, King Sunjo controlled the case in order to contain the contributors to warfare. The impact and influence of the case is as follows. First, King Sunjo tried to select and control contributors of warfare throughout the case. Second, the activities of leaders of the righteous army, such as Gwak Jae Woo and Jeong In Hong, were limited. Third, uncompromising stances against Japan relatively weakened.