“P’yoryu kirok”, which is a record of maritime accidents, is necessary for research not solely in foreign relations history. Nevertheless, existing research, as a result of focusing excessively on the diplomatic processes of repatriating castaways, is found primarily in foreign relations history. However, with the accumulation of knowledge from the newly discovered sources, interest in the record of maritime accidents is gradually expanding.
The construction of a database based upon the record of maritime accidents was undertaken with these conditions in mind. In short, the goal of this research project was, while accepting critically the current research, to, of course, extend the period under analysis and broaden the points for analysis, and also to organize the information regarding the numerous maritime incidents into a comprehensible, unified system. For example, first, I introduced and analyzed “Konnansen oyobi hyomin kyujo zakkenChosen-koku no bu” and “Kogi ose-agerare” sources which were not used in the existing research. Second, I added to the database a wide range of information that does not appear in existing research from “Hyomin ose-agerare” and “ P’yoin yongnae tungnok”. That information extends to personal data about the castaways, such as name, age, sex, and religion. Third, reflecting the differences in the calendars of Choson Korea and Japan, I also designed a system that enables one to easily and accurately calculate the time period.
However, the topics for future research are not few. Also called for are the discoveries of still further sources, and micro-level analysis of the amounts of expenses related to castaways, the units for expressing the size of ships, and, further, the variety, volume, and value of the riggings and other items aboard the ships.