實錄을 통해 본 郭再祐(1552~1617)의 義兵 활동

Abstract

In Seonjo sillok(宣祖實錄/ Veritable Records of King Seonjo) and Seonjo sujeong sillok(宣祖修正實錄/ Amended Veritable Records of King Seonjo), there are a lot of records about Kwak Jae Woo(郭再祐)'s righteous army(義兵). These records were made out by editing the local officials' reports on the military situation, so they are not detailed like the books which were written by the officials or leaders of righteous army who had fought against Japanese Army. But the records about Kwak Jae Woo's righteous army written in sillok contain the estimates and opinions of Seonjo(宣祖) and officials of central government about Kwak Jae Woo. Those kinds of records are not found in any other books and documents about Kwak Jae Woo's righteous army in Imjin Waeran(Japanese Invasion of 1592), so these records are very valuable as the historical materials for studying on Kwak Jae Woo. Kwak Jae Woo was the first leader of righteous army in Imjin Waeran and he raised righteous army at one´s own expense. In many battles against Japanese Army, Kwak Jae Woo rendered distinguished military services. So he was acknowledged as a good combat leader from everyone. But Kwak Jae Woo had conflicts of opinions and gave rise to complications with the generals of the government troops frequently. It was the most important cause that Seonjo(宣祖) and officials of central government considered Kwak Jae Woo in a negative way. Especially Seonjo(宣祖) regarded Kwak Jae Woo's conflicts with the generals of the government troops as denials of the royal orders. So Seonjo(宣祖) did not trust Kwak Jae Woo and objected to his taking charge of military power and being a meritorious retainer. As a result, Kwak Jae Woo resigned from government service and lived a life of eating not rice but pine niddles after war. Kwak Jae Woo's later life could be representative of unfortunate lives of many other leaders of righteous army in Imjin Waeran.