16~17세기 여진의 성장과 요동 변경지대 성격 연구 - 변경지대의 변화를 통해 본 만리장성 동단기점설 비판 -

Abstract

This study aims at illuminating the fabrication of the Amnok (鴨綠)River being the eastern point of the Great Wall in the light of the dynamic development of Jurchens in the sixteenth century. The background, meaning, and intention of the extension of the eastern part to the Amnok River shall be examined. A critical change was in progress in the international relations in the century. While Japan tried to take dominance in East Asia through the Imjin War, Ming still took a pride as the superpower in East Asia,reinforcing close relations with Chosun. However, a significant change in the sixteenth century was also witnessed in Jurchen areas as Jurchens attempted to become involved in new international affairs by absorbing large Manchurian tribes. However, the sixteenth century situation has not been the focal point because it has been blocked by a Chinesecentered historical view which includes the Amnok River hypothesis of the Great Wall. Why is it important to examine the Chinese position academically through the sixteenth century Jurchens? Is it justifiable or necessary?The reason for China to extend the eastern point down to the Amnok River was to preoccupy Manchurian history beyond a view of ‘expanding river area’, to keep stability in the midst of Northeast Asia’s political environment surrounding Manchuria which has already been revealed in the “Northeast Project,” and to counter North Korea. Accordingly, it might be said that the current historical situation in China to solve contemporary and future problems that they face might be an actual pivot in the background. When Zhu Yuanzhang (朱元璋) founded the Ming dynasty in 1368,had to withdraw to the Mongol area. When the Yuan government lost dominancy, Ming progressed into Liaodong and established the Liaodong Regional Military Commission (遼東都司) and succeeded in occupying a part of Liaodong. They intended to spread out to Mongolia and Heilongjiang (黑龍江). However, after Emperor Yongle’s in 1424, death (1403~1424) as no more active foreign policy was available, they changed their strategy to defend Liaodong through the Liaodong Regional Military Commission the which was leading to founding a solid Liaodong defense line in the middle and late Ming dynasty. Soon, became a military organization in the far eastern area to defend Liaodong in the beginning of the fifteenth century. Although there was some time to seek expansion during Yongle’s reign, they had a defensive role in general in the relation with northern territory tribes. Along with this background, the Liaodong defense line was moved back and they began to establish an outpost at the Amnok River. China today has nearly completed a theory that the eastern point of the Great Wall was the Amnok River, allegedly arguing that the Liaodong defense line was part of the Great Wall. This results from falsely assuming that some outposts created by Ming were part of the Great Wall. This in turn logically generates a frame that Ming had a solid reign over Liaodong. This reflects the current intention of China to remove any possible future conflicts with nearby countries over the riverside domain and Manchuria. Whether the eastern point of the Great Wall can be the Amnok River is especially important for determining the Ming dynasty’s sovereignty and territorial coverage. When China started the Northeastern Project,river territory in Ming became an important topic of study, and the book A Study on Northeastern Area in Ming dynasty (Jilin People Press,2008) was a typical work published in 2008 as a result of research to date. This book also argues that the Manchuria area during the Ming dynasty belonged to Ming. However, as this study shows, the Amnok River cannot be the starting point in the east. The Amnok River met the border with Joseon,Ming, and the Jurchens, who were struggling for power. Furthermore,what Ming constructed in the river area of the River huge wall, but a small outpost. That outpost is a small fort that utilized the natural topography. And even it was not constructed with bricks. If China presumes the basic concept of the Great Wall is a line, Liaodong border area linked from Shanhaiguan (山海關) through Kaiyuan (開原) itself cannot be part of the Great Wall.