1593년 조선 조정의 명군지휘부 접촉과 일본군 공세 논의

Abstract

In 1592, in the early stages of the Imjin war, Joseon changed its defensive position into an offensive one by launching a counterattack with Ming military support. Although the attack by Zǔ Chéngxùn (祖承訓), the Ming commander, failed to recapture Pyeongyang Fortress in July 1592, the second attack, led by Li Rusong (李如松), the Ming supreme commander, defeated the Japanese army and recaptured Pyeongyang Fortress in January 1593. After that, the main aim of the Joseon court was to reclaim Hanseong, Joseon’s capital, and push the Japanese army out of Joseon territory with help from the Ming. At the end of January 1593, Li Rusong’s army was defeated by the Japanese army in the Byeokje area. The Joseon court urged Li to go towards Hanseong. At that time, a difference in opinion between the Joseon court and the Ming military headquarters clearly emerged. The military headquarters, mainly controlled by Song Ingchang (宋應昌), the Ming military commissioner, wanted to end the war to reduce the sacrifice of Ming soldiers. Song seriously considered peace negotiations with the Japanese army. This meant that the Ming military headquarters did not intend to accept the request to fight the Japanese army at Hanseong. At this time, the Joseon court needed to maintain communication with the Ming military headquarters in order to know the exact intentions of the Ming commanding officers. This information was then used to reduce the difference in opinions between the two sides. From the Joseon court’s viewpoint, the Ming army’s help was imperative. What actually happened depended on how the Joseon court was able to persuade the Ming military headquarters to fight the Japanese army. Through understanding communications between the Joseon court and the Ming military headquarters, the developments from 1593 to 1594 during the early stages of the Imjin war can be made clear.