자암 이민환의 학적 연원과 경세론

Abstract

This study traces the academic origin and administration theory of Ja-am Lee Minhwan. Lee Minhwan lived over the 16th and 17th century, when international order in East Asia was turbulently reorganized while the throne of China was changed from Ming to Qing. In his twenties were Imjin War (Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1592) and Jeongyu War (Japanese Invasion of Korea in 1597). He fought the Simha battle and was taken prisoner in that war. In his fifties and sixties, Jeongmyo War (the Manchu war of 1627) and Byeongja War (the Manchu war of 1636) broke out. What makes his tumultuous life noticeable is his journals on war experience and captivity in Simha battle as well as his circumstantial records on Qing society to be a preparation for the future. Unfortunately, his feat was neglected by Buk In - it means “northern academic clique” in Korean, the ruling clique in that period of history. Though, Ja-am never gave up suggesting numerous policies and kept the records of them, which must have been a huge loss of that time. His administration strategies are primarily focused on national defense policy as suggested in Bieoyukjo (備禦六條, six strategies as preparation) for he foresaw the invasion of Qing and tried to prepare for it. He emphasized repairing the castles, raising the army with horse, organizing the elite special forces unit, and training skills and spirits. In particular, his pioneering insight appears in focusing on raising the army with horse, which was the first around those days.