여말선초 화약 및 관련기술의 ‘국산화’에 대한 체계적 재구성

Abstract

Gunpowder technology on the Korean peninsula developed in the wake of cultural exchanges with China, at the end of the Goryeo dynasty period. The Goryeo government, as part of its ongoing effort to address the Waegu(Japanese pirates) crisis and appropriately respond, attempted to import techniques to produce gunpowder through official channels from the Chinese Ming dynasty, but eventually failed as Ming refused to help. Then a Goryeo figure named Choi Mu-seon managed to develop necessary technical skills, through his own research and civilian exchanges.BR The gunpowder technology secured by Choi Mu-seon not only covered the area of production but the entire range of its applications as well. During his stay in Yuan(元) he acquired general knowledge of how to manufacture weapons using gunpowder, how to use those weapons in battle situations, and how to operate them in battles on the sea. Later he also conversed with Chinese technicians and obtained methods to refine niter as it was a crucial part in gunpowder production.BR Choi Mu-seon also proposed to the Goryeo government the establishment of Hwatong Dogam(火㷁都監), as an office to oversee gunpowder production and supervise related technical issues. His intention was to have all the technical expertise he earlier acquired put to good use in the government’s response to the Waegu problem of the time. Considering how the gunpowder manufacturing technique of Goryeo was developed, a group of technicians led by Choi Mu-seon were virtually in almost private (and exclusive) control of the technology, but the government was able to tap into that through a Dogam office, which was part of Goryeo’s unique governmental system.BR Later leaders of the Joseon government, who aspired to establish a centralized government system, dismantled all the Dogam offices including Hwatong Dogam. But the Joseon government also tried to absorb the technology by enlisting Choi Mu-seon’s son Choi Hae-san for governmental service. What ensued was the acquirement of new technology and the establishment of Joseon’s own technical manual for gunpowder production & usage during the reign of King Sejong. A new standard for state technology involving gunpowder was secured, and that meant the complete internalization of the technology as well as its new status as state asset and governmental property.