Military History Compilation Research Institute, Jeong Tak Completes and Publishes First Full Translation of 'Imjin Records'

[Asia Economy Reporter Yang Nak-gyu] The Military History Compilation Research Institute of the Ministry of National Defense has published the first complete translation in Korea of the 'Imjin Records' by Yakpo (藥圃) Jeong Tak (鄭琢), the Right State Councillor who commanded the Joseon army during the Imjin War.

According to the Ministry of National Defense on the 9th, Jeong Tak's Imjin Records have been designated as Treasure No. 494-6 in recognition of their value as war historical materials. The Imjin Records, which document the political, military cooperation, and conflicts among Korea, China, and Japan during the Imjin War, contain old documents from Joseon and the Ming Dynasty that require specialized knowledge to decipher, limiting their use in war history research despite their historical value.

Professor Lee Min-sook of Hankuk University of Foreign Studies, who majored in Chinese literature, and Professor Lee Joo-hae of Ewha Womans University undertook the translation. Senior Researcher Kim Kyung-rok of the Military History Compilation Research Institute wrote a "special commentary" titled "Military Literature Recording the Imjin War as an International War, Imjin Records." A special commentary refers to an explanation of a field requiring considerable knowledge and experience.

The Imjin Records, compiled by Jeong Tak during his tenure as Right State Councillor while comprehensively commanding the war, gather various documents encountered in the course of his duties. They contain the war process experienced by Joseon and efforts to overcome the national crisis in the complex international war involving the intertwined interests of Joseon, Ming China, and Japan.

Among the main contents included is a memorial by Admiral Yi Sun-sin, Commander of the Three Provinces Naval Command, who strongly refuted the Ming Dynasty's order to cease fighting, the "Geumtopaemun" (禁討牌文), with a strong will to fight. The Geumtopaemun was a notification sent by the Ming envoy Dam Jong-in to Yi Sun-sin, instructing him not to engage the Japanese forces.

The records also include reports to King Seonjo from the State Council (Bibyeonsa) by Prime Minister Yu Seong-ryong regarding measures for military budget expansion and military training, known as "Gye-bon" (啓本), which were document formats submitted to the king for reporting important matters during the Joseon Dynasty. A letter sent by Japanese General Kato Kiyomasa to the Ming army's commander-in-chief requesting peace is also included.

The complete translation will be available for free viewing on the Military History Compilation Research Institute's website (www.imhc.mil.kr) starting from the 13th of this month.