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Re-conquest of the Pajeo River and Policies for Conquering the foreign territory During the Reign of King Sejong of Joseon Dyansty

Kyuchul Lee 1

1가톨릭대학교

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ABSTRACT

During the period of Sejong's reign over the Joseon, the policy for conquering foreign powers began discussing more seriously. Since the foundation of the Joseon, it had continued to show interests in the northern regions. In addition, the King Taejo and Taejong strived to secure influence in the surrounding areas of Amnok River and the Duman River, taking into account the relationship with the Ming. One of these representative foreign policies of the Joseon was the 'conquest' against the savages. In the face of strong protest from the retainers, Sejong was determined to carry out the re-conquest of the regions surrounding the Pajeo River. This showed that Sejong had expanded his political power over the country as a result of the first conquest. The ultimate goal of the Joseon occupying the Pajeo River again was to capture Lee Man Ju, chief of the barbarians called Jurchen. This was because the Joseon had an intention to spread its clout around by removing the figure playing a pivotal role within the Jurchen population in the region of Geonju-wi. More importantly, it was the struggle with the Ming to gain the upper hand over the hegemony of the Jurchen group centering on the whole area of the Amnok River. It seems to me that the Joseon would not shut its eyes to the groups led by Lee Manju, who received the approval from the Ming to move them in the Pajeo River area that the Joseon considered under its influence. Besides, the Lee Manju group put more emphasis on a close rapport with the Ming rather than with the Joseon. The Joseon, therefore, sought to obtain the actual control over the entire area of the Amnok River by getting rid of the forces of Lee Manju. The foreign policy for conquests outside the Joseon was the most suitable and useful one to attack external influences using military strength and take advantage of the achievements. It's because such conquest policy could have an impact on foreign powers as well as domestic groups. This is why foreign subjugation became a proper type of policy that can be politically used in various ways. Since despite the fact that there was a high possibility of failure, if it was successful, it would be expected to produce a bigger fruit, King Sejong took the lead to push ahead and carry out the conquest even when facing strong objection from his subjects.

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