Jeju's Crisis, the Increase of Refugees and the Ban Jeju People from Migrating to the Mainland in the 16th century

Abstract

In the 15th century, the economic situation in Jeju Island was not bad. However, in the 16th century, famine continued and infectious diseases occurred frequently. So many people starved and died sick. Also, local officials in Jeju Island did not manage well. In addition, the tax burden increased, making the lives of Jeju Islanders even more impoverished. Jeju Island was unable to escape the crisis as several disasters occurred in a short period of time. Those who judged that they could not live in Jeju Island began to leave Jeju Island. As the number of deaths and displaced people increaseds, the population of Jeju Island decreased sharply. The Government took this seriously. Because at that time, invasions of Japanese pirates were frequent, so it was important to defend Jeju Island. So the government pushed for policies to restore the population. First of all, the refugees who left Jeju Island and wandered from the mainland were repatriated. There was also a discussion to increase the population by bringing people from the southern regions into Jeju Island. Despite these measures, Jeju Island's crisis and population decline had not been overcome. Meanwhile, in the late 16th century, local officials of Jeju controlled Jeju Islanders from entering the mainland. the policy had the effect of preventing the occurrence of Jeju refugees and curbing the population decline in Jeju Island. Therefore, in 1629, the government authorized the Jeju official's policy and imposed a ban on Jeju people from leaving the island.