광산김씨의 임란 의병활동과 의의

Abstract

This paper aims to investigate the righteous army movement led by Gwangsan Kim clan during the Imjin War and its significance. Kim Hae, in particular, who was one of the members of Gwangsan Kim clan, was in the center of the righteous army in Ye-Ahn since the early Imjin War. After organizing Andong Yeol-eup Hyang-byung, he generalized the righteous armies in northern area of Gyeongbuk province as a general. This paper examines the aspects and historical significance of the righteous army movement in Andong and Ye-Ahn. Since the early Imjin War, Gwangsan Kim Ye-Ahn clan voluntarily organized and played an active part in the righteous army. At first, they tried to stop Japanese advance into Jungnyeong in cooperation with the government troops. They accomplished the intended goal, but the movement of righteous army in this area became less active since Japanese invasion of Ye-Ahn. However, the righteous army re-formed after the war situation reversed. ‘Andong Yeol-eup Hyang-byung’ which included most of the areas in northern Gyeongbuk, was organized. Kim Hae was the general of it. Andong Yeol-eup Hyang-byung attacked Danggyo which was the core military post of Japanese army in cooperation with the government troops. They also advanced into Miryang and Gyeongju when Japanese withdrew their troops in Danggyo. The righteous army disconnected the Japanese army in Gyeongsang province and the one in the upper area and destroyed the military post within Gyeongsang province. Thus, they played a significant role in weakening Japanese military strength and leading the war in their favor. Andong Yeol-eup Hyang-byung which was generalized by Kim Hae, was like a combined army composed of prestigious local elites. Most of them were Lee Hwang’s literati. The government troops were also the same. They were closely connected as they had the sense of unity in terms of studying and marriage. This made the relationship between the righteous army in Ye-Ahn and the government troops close. They were able to achieve their goal because of the military strength and good weapons of the government troops. The righteous army movement in Ye-Ahn provides a new perspective to the studies on the history of Imjin War and righteous army. This leads to re-evaluate the movement led by the government troops during the early Imjin War.