『해조신문』의 「본국력사」고찰

Abstract

The Haejo Sinmun was a Korean newspaper published in Vladivostok, Russia, from February 26 to May 26, 1908. It recruited Jang Ji-yeon as the main writer from the beginning of its foundation, who was well-known as the main writer of the Hwangseong Sinmun. The Haejo Sinmun was not just a newspaper for Korean residents in Russia but an important media for the formation of domestic public opinion and the restoration of national sovereignty. The individual serials in The Haejo Sinmun showed the tendency of the newspaper and its main writer's intention. Among its serials, Bongungnyeoksa, which was serialized since its inception, is noteworthy in that not only it attempted to serialize Korean ancient history in order to cultivate the national spirit and raise national consciousness, but also it is possible to examine how protestant Confucianists recognize Korean ancient history. However, since Bongungnyeoksa did not specify its author, there is difficulty in discussing its background or meaning. Therefore, estimating Jang Ji-yeon as the author based on the timing, reference, and content characteristics of Bongungnyeoksa, this paper reviews the unique narrative methods such as catechetical prose that he employed to effectively convey the customs of the Korean ancient history, and consequently discusses the meaning of serializing Korean ancient history in The Haejo Sinmun. The customs of the Korean ancient history that was contained in Bongungnyeoksa and the narrative methods to convey them are designs, through which we can see Jang Ji-yeon's intention to enhance the wisdom of Koreans and awaken their national consciousness against regulating newspapers in Korea by Japanese Empire. This is why we should pay attention to Bongungnyeoksa as an important historical material, from which we can see the nature of the Haejo Sinmun.