십만양병설의 실체

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to inquire into the so-called “Yul-gok’s proposal to draft 100,000 men into armed forces,” widely recognized as Yi Yi’s (李珥, 1536-1586) foresight against the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, based on a close examination of Yi Yi’s literary works. Yi Yi reported “commoners should be raised first” in consideration of the poor public power even after receiving orders from King Sŏnjo, who entrusted the court to prepare for the “Ni T’anggae Rebellion.” In addition, Yi Yi re-examined the principle that the burden of taxes in kind should be reduced by revising the tribute case as a way for the people of commoners, but it was confirmed through the records that the discussion ended without results as King Sŏnjo refused to comply with the revision of the tribute case. The paper reveals that Yi Yi’s political orientation was contrary to his unreasonable the policy of carrying out the same policy as “nurturing 100,000 soldiers against possible foreign enemies” as the king's political ideology, and also pointed out that the socio-economic conditions of the time, such as population and finance, could not handle the proposal to draft 100,000 men into armed forces. However, Kim Jangsaengs’ anecdotal note would form the mythological basis of on Yi Yi’s alleged proposal of “nurturing 100,000 soldiers against possible foreign enemies.” Since then, the biographies of Yi Yi continued to cite Kim Jangsaeng’s notes. Finally, it was included in the Sŏnjo sujŏng sillok for the purpose of strengthen the legitimacy of the reign. In addition, the other records, including the Yulgok Chronicle, show that even Kim Jangseang’s writings were doctored. After Korea's liberation from Japan’s colonial rule, the nationwide slogans of “overcoming Japanese” and “enriching the state” and strengthening the army intensified the myth. This resulted in the elevation of Yi Yi, who did not survive during the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592, as if he made greater contributions to the national defense, and Ryu Sŏngnyong, who made real contributions, was misinterpreted as having ill-advisedly opposed the proposal of raising 100,000 troops. It will be shown that this point is also historically inaccurate.