역관 변원규(卞元圭)의 생애와 중국사행 시의 교유

Abstract

Byeon WonGyu(卞元圭, 1837-1896）was a famous translator and literati in late Joseon. There are many research for his diplomatic and enhance military contribution in the academic circles now. But the research about his descent and the life is seldom. Based on this point, I will do some research for his career and some relative communication activities according to his genealogy and historical documents of late Joseon on this paper. Byeon WonGyu's six generation was Byeon SeungEop(卞承業, 1623-1709) who was a translator between Korean and Japanese. His family began to developed after Byeon SeungEop. When Byeon WonGyu was 19 years old, he got the first in the imperial examination by the department of translation. After then, he served as the director of the Translation Bureau, OhWijang(五衛將) and other positions. And later he was promoted to a third grade civil servant as a interpreter. In 1880, Byeon WonGyu went to Tian Jin to meet Li HongZhang(李鴻章) in the identity as a special officer was in charge of report and advisory. In this meeting they talked about the constitution of senting the students from Joseon to Qing to study weapon manufacturing technology and military training knowledge. For he got a great achievement in this meeting, he was appointed county magistrate of JeokSeong(積城縣監) and magistrate of GaPyeong(加平郡守). Thereafter he occupied municipal official of PyeongSan(平山府使) and the chief local official of HanSeong(漢城府判尹). And also he continue played an important role in the diplomacy. From the existing historical document, Byeon WonGyu went to Qing for 10 times at least. In the process of the visit in 1880, he made a deep friendship with Kim YunSik(金允植, 1835-1922）who was the leader of the Joseon envoys. When he made a friendship with the officers as Yun TaeJun(尹泰駿, 1839-1884), Baek NakYun(白樂倫) and so on, he also communicated with literati of Qing Dynasty, just like You ZhiKai(游智開, 1816-1899), Kong XianYi(孔憲彛), Dong WenHuan(董文渙). Then Byeon WonGyu brought the poetry anthology “CangYuan ShiChao”(藏園詩鈔) to Joseon which was written by You ZhiKai and print it for publication. Although the communication was the regular course of official duties, but they indeed carried out a cultural exchanges. For there was a two way communication between them, so the significance is undeniable.