[Korea Root] Poor 'Saengsanja' and Full-Bellied 'Sutalja'

The Indulgent Rulers and Yangban Officials, Eager to Satisfy Personal Greed
Abusing Power to Extract Tenfold Profits in Kind... A Barrier to Economic Development

Annals of the Joseon Dynasty, Volume 8 [National Institute of Korean History]

[Asia Economy Reporter Ra Young-cheol] At Saganwon, a report was made to the king: "The upper tribute (上供) entrusted to fishermen by Saongwon is causing great harm in the Gyeonggi region. At this time of reforming the old ways and making them new, it is only proper to reduce it compared to before, but the unauthorized allocation of soeo 蘇魚 (bandeongi, anchovy) and wio 葦魚 (ungeo, goby) amounts to 2,000 bundles each." - 『Annals of King Injo』 Volume 8, Year 3 of King Injo (1625), March 8

After the Imjin War, government officials and offices imposed excessive tax burdens on fishermen under various pretexts. In the Gyeonggi region, corruption within Saongwon, which managed the king’s and royal court’s food, made life even harder for fishermen.

Bureaucrats and powerful figures collected ship taxes from fishermen and imposed tolls on fishing boats passing through fishing grounds.

Local magistrates colluded with local landlords to embezzle seafood and profit, even conducting commercial activities through agents. Some magistrates in the Gyeonggi region abused their power to take exorbitant profits up to ten times the value of the actual goods.

The Saheonbu reported to the king: "Namyangbu magistrate Yoo Se-deok paid fishermen and salt producers in advance at low prices for fish and salt, then forcibly collected ten times the price later and transported it to his own house. I humbly request his dismissal."

- 『Annals of King Yeongjo』 Volume 73, Year 27 of King Yeongjo (1751), Lunar May 10

Behind the rampant exploitation of fishermen by officials and powerful figures was the government’s fisheries policy and the interest and investment of the yangban class. This led to the development of fishing boat construction and fishing techniques, activating coastal fisheries.

Fishermen on the western coast of Gyeonggi also adopted new fishing technologies early, employing efficient fishing methods and playing a key role in the development of fisheries in the late Joseon period. However, this growth would have been difficult without the life-risking fishing activities and sweat of poor fishermen.

Fishing Vessel and Gear Lease Contract Certificate (漁船漁具賃貸借契約書) [National Folk Museum]

In 1750, with the implementation of the Gyunyeok Law, fisheries policy underwent changes.

The military service burden was reduced from two men to one, and part of the shortfall was compensated by fish tax (eose 魚稅) and salt tax (yeomse 鹽稅). Taxes could be paid in kind or currency, somewhat easing the burden on fishermen.

However, problems soon surfaced. The magistrates responsible for tax collection engaged in trickery and embezzlement, causing fishermen to bear heavy tax burdens again. Local magistrates embezzled collected taxes and often collected more than the regulated amount.

Corruption worsened over time, and a structured exploitation system was firmly established from low-level local officials to the central government.

A secret inspector’s report investigating the fishing villages in the Gyeongju area in the late 18th century stated that fishermen regularly had to pay as much as 1,000 nyang in tribute to the local town, provincial office, and central government.

The burden of tribute in the form of local specialties was also problematic. In the 17th century, the Daedong Law allowed substitution of local specialties with rice or cotton cloth. However, separately paid tributes and goods presented to the king or high officials remained, and taxes still had to be paid.

Even during King Jeongjo’s reign in the 18th century, exploitation of fishermen by state agencies and the royal household intensified, and the exploitation by officials and local landlords never ceased. This created a social atmosphere where fishermen’s lives became difficult and poverty increased.

Panjungchubu official Jeong Hong-sun reported to the king: "Tribute is a very important matter and not something to be negotiated lightly. However, to mention, the icefish (gwaeo 苽魚) can be caught in large quantities only after the Lunar New Year, but tribute is demanded in November; the yellow corvina (hwangeo) can be caught in large quantities before the Lunar New Year, but tribute is demanded in February. Because of this, the people suffer greatly when delivering icefish and yellow corvina, which is truly pitiful."

- 『Annals of King Jeongjo』 Volume 15, Year 7 of King Jeongjo (1783), April 25

Brass Type Ornamentation [National Museum of Korea]

Officials and yangban bureaucrats who lived in luxury by illicitly collecting fishery products were only eager to satisfy their selfish desires, and the misconduct of powerful figures became a barrier to the growth of the fisheries industry.

The ruling class’s excessive extraction of fishing profits narrowed fishermen’s opportunities to reinvest earnings into production.

Nevertheless, fishermen showed tenacious vitality by sending fishing boats even to distant seas. They never gave up hope for a world without oppression and exploitation, where they would not starve and where social status discrimination would not exist.

Fishing villages had a stronger communal character than farming villages and required closer bonds in work. When fishing collectively, work discipline was strict and hierarchical relationships were clear.

Division of labor and cooperation were definite, and work was carried out in coordinated movements under tension. This was to minimize accidents and risks during fishing operations.

This also improved work efficiency and increased catch volume.

In the 19th century, night fishing was practiced by attracting anchovies with lights and catching them with nets, and mackerel was caught by fishing with lights. Seaweed harvesting techniques also advanced; compared to earlier times when divers collected kelp and seaweed underwater, fishermen spread fish oil on the water surface to see underwater better and then harvested kelp and seaweed.

With the growth of private shipbuilding in the late Joseon period, fishing-specific vessels were introduced, ship functions were enhanced, and ships of various sizes were built. The number of ships increased, and it is estimated that by the late 18th century, the total number of ships nationwide exceeded 10,000.