A Study of the Revolt of Lee Mong-Hak During the Imjin War

Abstract

In the mid-Joseon period, there were signs of social and economic collapse of people's livelihoods, but with the outbreak of the Imjin War, the suffering of the people became even worse. The people's lives were miserable due to the continuous famine and excessive labor, the burden of military service between the Ming and Joseon forces, and the spread of the plague across the country. In addition, as they were mobilized for acid contraction in each region under the guise of defending against Japan's re-invasion, the dissension of public sentiment intensified. In this situation, people's distrust and dissatisfaction with the ruling class expanded, causing riots in various places including Chungcheong Province. Among the revolts that occurred in the Hoseo area during the Imjin War, the largest and most influential rebellion was the Rebellion of Lee Mong-Hak (?~1596, Hometown: Jeonju) that occurred in July 1596 (29th year of King Seonjo). Compared to the accidental or unorganized rebellion that occurred in the early days of the Imjin War with dissatisfaction with the exploitation and corruption of the leaders, it showed a completely different aspect in scale and organization, such as insisting on the overthrow of the dynasty. The attitude towards the rebellion differed according to the class. From the point of view of the ruled class, they would have thought of it as a revolution to create a new world by replacing the incompetent ruling class who only engaged in extortion and exploitation. From the point of view of the ruling class, it was just a rebellion that directly challenged the maintenance of the dynasty's system and order during a disturbance. Interpretation of history may differ according to the passage of time, and that is why the evaluation of a specific event at that time and in the future also differs depending on the author.