원 간섭기 역관에 관한 일고찰

Abstract

This paper studied about the activities and makeup of class of interpretation officers and their influence over the society of Goryeo Dynasty during the Yuan Dynasty interference period. Main activity of interpretation officers in Yuan Dynasty interference period was interpretation, and sometimes interpretation officers were dispatched as envoys to other country while serving as escorts or attendants to a king or queen going to Yuan Dynasty. Interpretation officers were engaged in diversified activities participating in even in private matters of king or queen in some cases. During the period of transition from Yuan Dynasty to Ming Dynasty, the interpretation officers were dispatched to Yuan Dynasty and Ming Dynasty respectively to carry out various activities including watching out the movements of partner country and delivering the situation and difficulties then of Goryeo Dynasty. Looking at the makeup of interpretation officer's social class in Yuan Dynasty period, one could act as an interpretation officer even if he is from the lowest class people as long as he was good in Mongol language. However, in the period of King Choonryeol, education institutions such as Yokeodogam and Tongmungwan were established which served a gateway to interpretation officers after providing interpretation re-education programs. Therefore, the makeups of interpretation officer's social class in that period was mostly civilian class or above. During the period of King Choongseon and King Choongmok, the number of Goryeo people who were fluent in Mongol language were gradually increased and thus king's retainer group including king's attendants also acted as interpretation officers. And after the period of King Gongmin, interpretation officer positions were established in the eunuch department and interpretation officers from Namban class acted as interpretation officers. Accordingly, the makeup of interpretation officer's social class in that period was above civilian class. As interpretation officers were gradually growing as the source of wealth power during Yuan Dynasty period, their influence to the society of Goryeo Dynasty was immense weakening the power of royal family of Goryeo Dynasty and also supporting the politicians they favored. And the interpretation officers from the lowest class people also influenced significantly to the changes in social class of Goryeo Dynasty taking up high level positions in the government. And they also influenced to the collapse of economic base of Goryeo society by being engaged in economic plunderage using their positions while even attempting to change Goryeo customs to that of Mongol style.