해방 직후 간도에서 발행된 『우리國史』의 체재와 한국사 인식 - 桂奉瑀의 『最新東國史』에서 『우리國史』로 -

Abstract

This article explores Gye Bongu’s historical accounts and view of Korean history through the history textbook Our National History (Uri yeoksa 우리역사) published in Gando immediately after the 1945 Liberation.BR The Our National History, produced via mimeograph in three volumes in November 1945, has the same content as the Up-to-Date History of the Eastern Country (Choesin Dongguksa 최신동국사) written by Gye Bongu in the Society for the Education of Korean Settlers (Ganmin gyoyukoe 간민교육회). The Our National History (and the Up-to-Date History of the Eastern Country) divides Korean history into early antiquity (Buyeo and Four Kingdoms), middle antiquity (Southern and Northern Dynasties and Goryeo), and late antiquity (Joseon and the Great Han). Gye’s periodization of Korean history is unique to him that cannot be found in other history books from late Joseon to the early Japanese colonial periods.BR He recognized the history of Old Joseon as pivoting on the Buyeo tribes, described the ancient history centered on Goguryeo and Balhae, and emphasized the unification of the Korean nation by Goryeo, not Silla. This view of history reveals the influence of contemporary nationalist historians such as Park Eunsik and Shin Chaeho. Gye had a negative view of Joseon, regarding the fall of Goryeo and the founding of Joseon as the vanishing of national essence and martial spirit. As for the history of the Great Han Empire, he emphasized the anti-Japanese struggle of the ‘righteous army’ and the introduction of modern education, viewing the latter focusing on history was crucial to nurture independence activists in Gando. That was the reason he wrote a history textbook called the Up-to-Date History of the Eastern Country.