조선의 對日關係와 동래 사람들

Abstract

The borders of Joseon Dynasty consisted of the whole area of Dumangang neighboring the Jurchen people in Manchuria, the whole area of Amnokgang which borders on China, and Dongnaebu which was located across the sea and Japan. Among these areas of border lines, Dongnaebu was special in that the residence for the people of the neighboring country, Japan, in this case, was located within the jurisdiction. Japanese residence, called Waegwan, was first established in 1407 and continued to function until Joseon’s opening of ports to the modern world in 1876. Of course, there were times when Waegwan was shut down due to Japanese invasions and riots. Waegwan existed in three southern ports, but the Japanese riots in Saryangjin caused two of them to shut down leaving one in Busanpo. Accordingly, Japanese people who lived in the other two ports moved to Busanpo Waegwan and the Joseon people who engaged in trading crowded around Busanpo as well. Existing studies have emphasized the formation of Busan’s single Waegwan to the era after the Japanese Invasions of Korea in 1592. This position is based on the assumption that Busanpo Waegwan could not have functioned properly because of frequent Japanese riots during the 16th century. However, The role of Waegwan continued to be important, which enabled Joseon people near Waegwan continue to advance exchanges with the Japanese people. this pattern of exchange between Joseon and Japan seems to have provided the opportunity to approve an open market prior to the official resumption of diplomatic relations between to two countries after the Japanese Invasions of Korea in 1592. Besides, despite Japan’s persistent request for opening Jaepo Waegwan, the Joseon officials only allowed one Waegwan in Busanpo, which allowed the people of Dongnae to continue their exchanges with the Japanese people. In particular, the people of Dongnae and the Japanese residing in Waegwan were able to maintain daily relationship through a market where commodities were exchanged and information shared.