이정암과 연안성 전투의 군사적 의의

Abstract

On April 13, 1592, the invasionof Japanese army into Joseon (former Korea) began the Japanese invasion of Korea (Imjinwaeran). In the beginning, Joseon soldiers were continually defeated by the Japanese army. There were many reasons for the defeat in the battle, but the biggest cause was the loss of public support from people due to the tyranny of their military commanders and public officials. As a result, King Seonjo not only fled to Uiju, but also sought asylum in the Ming Dynasty, thus the country facing the brink of ruin. Under the situation, the former public officials and prominent scholars started to recruit the members of righteous army. Patriotic people, regardless of their classes, volunteered to fight their lives only in order to save the country from the Japanese invasion. Lee Jeongam also raised an army under the same situation, and with him, some 1,400 volunteer soldiers and people were mixed up to fight 5,000 Japanese soldiers led by Kuroda Nagamasa, which was one of the most elite troops in the Japanese military. The military implications which resulted in the victory under the commader of the righteous army, Lee Jeongam at the Yeonanseong battle are as follows. First, it was the first fortress defending battle which was won by Joseon for the first time. Second, soldiers and general people united to fight the Japanese soldiers. Third, the righteous army of Joseon had a thorough combat preparation and effective combat action. Fourth, they had the mentality of civil defense and the spirit of patriotism of defending their homecountry to the end of their life. Fifth. they could sustain the ability of continuing the battles by securing the Yeonbaek rice field areas (breadbasket area). Sixth, the line of border was established which linked between three provinces: Chungcheong-do, Jeolla-do and Gyeongsang-do, and the King's temporary quarters (Haengjaeso) located in Uiju (King Seonjo). What’s disappointing is that since the critical locations in this study are located in North Korea, the study has been lacking research and attention. So, the continuous and systematic research is required in the future.