『사군지』 ｢건치연혁(建置沿革)｣조에 나타난 한사군 위치 비정의 특징

Abstract

Examined in this article is Yu Deuk-gong’s historical view, along with certain characteristics in his reasoning, which we can find from the “History of Installation(Geonchi Yeon’hyeok, 建置沿革)” Chapter of Sagun-ji(四郡志). Yu Deuk-gong believed Goguryeo, Okjeo and Ye all thrived on regions that had belonged to the late Joseon(Go-Joseon) territory, and theorized that the four Han(漢) Commandery units, which were Jinbeon-gun, Hyeondo-gun, Imdun-gun and Nakrang-gun, were all installed on these lands in B.C.108. Then he argued that the number of commandery units changed from four to two, when Jinbeon was absorbed by Hyeondo and Imdun was annexed by Nakrang, in B.C.82.<BR> The most noteworthy characteristic of Yu Deuk-gong’s estimation of the Four Commanderies’ location is his theory of ‘Jinbeon in the North,’ which theorized that the Jinbeon Commandery would have been in the Heung’gyeong region, outside the Abrok-gang river. There were other scholars who presented the same argument in the Joseon period’s latter half, but Yu’s theory was a bit different from theirs, as he believed Paesu had always been the Daedong-gang river since the Chinese Han times. He also provided some extra explanation of his reasoning, in case any opinion different from his own was suggested by fellow scholars of his time or readers later on.<BR> Although we cannot say that his suggestions regarding the location of the four Han Commandery units, and supposed changes that occurred later on, are fully grounded in historical facts and evidences. But his attitude itself, in which he did try to consider the possibility of others not sharing his opinions, and be objective in his academic determinations, inspires us all in the academic arena, even today.