16세기말 조선, 명, 일본의 역사전개를 바꾸었던 임진전쟁은 동아시아 국제전쟁이었다. 국제전쟁이었던 임진전쟁에 대한 다양한 연구가 한, 중, 일 학계에서 진행되어 그 역사상의 대략을 파악하게 되었다. 그럼에도 불구하고, 임진전쟁의 역사성에 부합되는 구체적인 연구과제는 많이 남아 있다. 그 가운데 대표적인 분야가 전쟁의 중요인물이 남긴 전쟁기록을 통한 전쟁연구라 할 것이다. 이러한 연구는 임진전쟁을 단순히 전쟁사의 관점이 아닌 종합된 관점에서 분석하는 기반이 될 것이다.
본 연구는 임진전쟁시기 국왕을 호위하고, 왕세자를 호위하여 실질적으로 전쟁을 지휘하였던 인물 정탁에 주목하고자 한다. 정탁은 전쟁이전 명나라에 사행하였던 경험으로 국제정세에 밝았던 인물이었다. 이런 이력은 임진전쟁의 전황을 바꾸는 계기가 되었던 명군이 참전하였을 때 이를 전담하여 연락업무를 수행하게 되었다. 이후 정탁은 명군이 전쟁인식을 반영하는 각종 군사정보, 외교정보를 적극적으로 수집하여 조명연합군의 작전에 대한 조선의 대응을 준비했다. 특히, 정탁은 명군이 철수를 염두에 두고, 조선의 왕세자가 직접 전투의 최전선에서 지휘할 것을 요구하자 왕세자를 호위하여 전쟁을 지휘하기도 했다. 정탁의 전쟁경험 및 활동은 흩어진 조선군을 모으고, 의병을 모집하는데 한정되지 않고, 명군과의 관계를 원활히 해결하는 수준까지 확장되었다.
정탁은 임진전쟁으로 인한 조선왕실의 권위 추락 및 백성들의 고통에 가슴 아파했다. 정탁의 이러한 임진전쟁에 대한 기억과 인식은 철저하게 전쟁기록으로 남겨져 전쟁이 종료됨과 동시 『임진기록』의 편찬으로 이어졌다. 『임진기록』은 16편의 공문이 수록되어 있으며, 전쟁시와 일기형식의 글도 포함되어 있고, 『용사잡록』은 56편의 공문이 수록되어 있다. 이는 정탁이 임진전쟁에 대한 경험과 기억을 사실에 기초하여 기록하고자 하였음을 반영한다. 또한, 정탁은 임진전쟁을 국제전쟁으로 인식하고, 향후 또 다른 전쟁이 발발하였을 경우에 대비하여 자신이 경험하고 기억한 전쟁기록을 남기고자 했다.
The Imjin War (壬⾠戰爭), which changed the history of Joseon (朝 鮮), Ming (明), and Japan (⽇本) in the late 16th century, was an international war in East Asia. Various studies on the Imjin War, an international war, have been conducted in the historical academic of Korea, China, and Japan to grasp the outline of its history. Nevertheless, many specific research projects remain consistent with the historical characteristics of the Imjin War. One of the most representative areas is the study of war through war records left by important figures in the war. Such research will serve as the basis for analyzing the Imjin War from a comprehensive perspective, not just from the perspective of war history. This study aims to pay attention to Jeongtak (鄭琢), an important figure who actually led the war by escorting the king and crown prince during the Imjin War. Jeongtak was a person who was well versed in international affairs with his experience of envoy to Ming before the war. Jeongtak’s diplomatic career led to Ming’s participation in the war and liaison service, which led to a change in the war situation of the Imjin War. Afterwards, Jeongtak actively collected various military and diplomatic information reflecting the Ming army’s perception of war to prepare Joseon’s response to the operation of the Allied Forces. In particular, Jeong Tak was mindful of the withdrawal of Ming army. When the Ming army demanded that the crown prince of Joseon be directly at the forefront of battle, he escorted the crown prince and led the war. Jeongtak’s experience and activities in the war were not limited to gathering scattered Joseon troops and recruiting righteous army (義兵). His activities extended to the level of smooth settlement of his relationship with Ming army. Jeongtak was heartbroken by the fall of Joseon royal authority and the suffering of the people due to the Imjin War. Jeongtak’s memories and awareness of the Imjin War were thoroughly left as a war record (戰爭記錄), leading to the completion of the war and the compilation of ‘Imjin Records (壬⾠記錄)’ and ‘Yongsajablok(⿓蛇雜錄)’. ‘Imjin Records’ contains 16 official documents and ‘Yongsajablok’ contains 56 official documents including war poetry and diary texts. This reflects that Jeongtak wanted to record his experiences and memories of the Imjin War based on facts. In addition, Jeongtak recognized the Imjin War as an international war and wanted to leave a war records, he experienced and remembered in case another war broke out in the future.
The Imjin War (壬⾠戰爭), which changed the history of Joseon (朝 鮮), Ming (明), and Japan (⽇本) in the late 16th century, was an international war in East Asia. Various studies on the Imjin War, an international war, have been conducted in the historical academic of Korea, China, and Japan to grasp the outline of its history. Nevertheless, many specific research projects remain consistent with the historical characteristics of the Imjin War. One of the most representative areas is the study of war through war records left by important figures in the war. Such research will serve as the basis for analyzing the Imjin War from a comprehensive perspective, not just from the perspective of war history. This study aims to pay attention to Jeongtak (鄭琢), an important figure who actually led the war by escorting the king and crown prince during the Imjin War. Jeongtak was a person who was well versed in international affairs with his experience of envoy to Ming before the war. Jeongtak’s diplomatic career led to Ming’s participation in the war and liaison service, which led to a change in the war situation of the Imjin War. Afterwards, Jeongtak actively collected various military and diplomatic information reflecting the Ming army’s perception of war to prepare Joseon’s response to the operation of the Allied Forces. In particular, Jeong Tak was mindful of the withdrawal of Ming army. When the Ming army demanded that the crown prince of Joseon be directly at the forefront of battle, he escorted the crown prince and led the war. Jeongtak’s experience and activities in the war were not limited to gathering scattered Joseon troops and recruiting righteous army (義兵). His activities extended to the level of smooth settlement of his relationship with Ming army. Jeongtak was heartbroken by the fall of Joseon royal authority and the suffering of the people due to the Imjin War. Jeongtak’s memories and awareness of the Imjin War were thoroughly left as a war record (戰爭記錄), leading to the completion of the war and the compilation of ‘Imjin Records (壬⾠記錄)’ and ‘Yongsajablok(⿓蛇雜錄)’. ‘Imjin Records’ contains 16 official documents and ‘Yongsajablok’ contains 56 official documents including war poetry and diary texts. This reflects that Jeongtak wanted to record his experiences and memories of the Imjin War based on facts. In addition, Jeongtak recognized the Imjin War as an international war and wanted to leave a war records, he experienced and remembered in case another war broke out in the future.