김옥균과 민비의 죽음 그리고 일본 - ‘친일’/‘반일’ 담론의 불모와 허구 -

Abstract

Kim, Okgyun, the leader of the Gapsin Coup, has been the symbol of the ‘pro Japanese faction’ while Queen Min, assassinated by Japanese thugs, has been the one of the ‘anti Japanese’ in Korea, based on their superficial relationship with Japan. In addition, the anti Japanese sentiment is often regarded as patriotic while proJapanese as treason. Such an oversimplified extreme view premised on the Japanese plan that involved the death of the two and the occupation of Korea. Then, what is the reason for this bizarre view, and why is it still shared by many even today? This paper examines the correlation between the deaths of the two figures and the Japanese intervention in it. It reveals a selective, misleading retroactive interpretation of the facts in history that covers up the reign of potentates of Queen Min’s family, as a major inner factor, that eventually led to the fall of Joseon. Furthermore, it delves into the Japanese plot to utilize such figures as Kim as a way to maximize its influence on Joseon. This paper argues that the old but established dualistic frame of pro and antiJapanese is ineffective in analyzing this Japanese imperial politics.