임진왜란 기간 류성룡ㆍ이순신 관계와 정유년 위기의 극복

Abstract

The purpose of this article is to reexamine the relationship between Ryu Seong-ryong and Yi Sunshin, what was probably the "greatest encounter" in Korean history. Ryu Seong-ryong and Yi Sunshin became the main players during the Imjin War. They cooperated with each other in order to overcome the dynastic crisis. However, they also had to face a serious challenge. Right before the Japanese invasion in the Jeongyu year, Yi Sunshin was in prison and Ryu Seongryong was also politically troubled. It behooves us to observe such contradictory events in which national heros were punished. This article describes the close relationship between Ryu Seong-ryong and Yi Sunsin, who were the objects of jealousy and conspiracy, based on Annals of King Seonjo, Jingbirok, and Nanjung Ilgi. Furthermore, this study reveals that the opposing party members such as Yoon Doosoo, Lee Sanhae, and King Seonjo were closely tied for political gains. Through a close observation of how the selfish motivations of this group withou King Seonjo as leader obscured their judgment so as to fall into the Japanese tactics of deceipt, this article examines and reaffirms the impossibility of the "Gadeung Cheongjeong Offshore Interception" claimed by spy "Yo Shira" and accepted by King Seonjo and others. Last but not least, this article assesses the historical records regarding Yi Sunshin's appointment and illuminates the processes by which Yi Sunshin was punished in the Jeongyu year.