중봉(重峯) 조헌(趙憲)의 「비왜지책」 분석

Abstract

Cho-hun is well known as one of the righteous army generals in the early Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592. However, he was one of the scholars representing Joseon in the 16th century, and a reformed politician who tried to lead the reality of the time to ideal politics. Furthermore, as Joseon entered an urgent situation, he also showed the appearance of a pioneer trying to solve the historical crisis. Joseon was in a complicated relationship with Japan before the Imjin War. Japan had ambitions to invade the continent after reunifying the Warring States Period. However, Joseon was not facing Japan's ambitions. Japan asked for Joseon's diplomatic mission in a rude manner, but Joseon was afraid of Japan's violent forces and could not take proper action. Cho-hun excellently predicted the countermeasures against the Japanese invasion at this time, but the government did not take that initiative. However, the countermeasures against the Japanese invasion proposed by Cho-hun has a significant meaning in the history of the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592. He proposed diplomatically establishing international joint war alliances with Ming and other countries. And he presented a reasonable analysis of the Japanese enemy's first invasion route and intermediate stops and combat patterns. Furthermore, he suggested reducing the suffering of the people in society, hiring talented people, and removing harsh military administration. This was a measure that based on Neo-Confucian theory, could be applied directly to international politics and social systems at the time. The countermeasures against the Japanese invasion is of great significance in that it presented an accurate model for the Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592.