조선 초기 무인(武人) 정승(政丞) 최윤덕(崔潤德)의 생애와 관료 활동 (The life and Bureaucratic Activities of Muin(武人) Jeongseung(政丞) Choi Yoon-deok in Early Joseon)

서지정보

· 발행기관 : 동아인문학회
· 수록지 정보 : 동아인문학 / 65호 / 439 ~ 471페이지
· 저자명 : 백지국

초록

이 글은 조선 초 활동하였던 무인(武人) 정승(政丞) 최윤덕(崔潤德)의 생애와 관료 활동을 살펴본 것이다. 최윤덕은 북로남왜(北虜南倭)라는 혼란한 시대적 상황 속에 무반으로 관직에 진출하여 태종~세종 대 활동하였다. 특히 세종 대 진행된 여진 정벌 및 북방 개척을 주도하였으며, 대마도 정벌에 참여하고, 하삼도 및 북방 지역의 축성을 통해 왜구와 야인의 침입에 대비하였다.
최윤덕은 조선 전기 진행된 국방정책의 핵심 인물로 큰 공을 세웠고, 이에 무반이었지만 파격적으로 정승의 반열에 올랐다. 통천 최씨 가문 또한 최록(崔錄)-최운해(崔雲海)-최윤덕 등 무반을 중심으로 성장한 가문이었지만, 조선 전기 명문가로 자리 잡았다. 사후에는 공신당(功臣堂)에 제향되며, 세종 대를 대표하는 신료이자 명장으로 인정받았다. 중앙 정부의 이 같은 평가는 향촌 사회의 사대부 계층에게 영향을 주었다. 그 결과 최윤덕이 무인이었음에도 그의 부임지와 가향(家鄕) 등에서 최윤덕을 추모하는 사우가 건립되었다.

영어초록

This study examines the life and bureaucratic activities of Choi Yoon- deok who rose to the rank of Jeongseung (政丞) by playing important roles in the establishment of the dynasty in early Joseon. Choi Yoon- deok’s family originally belonged to the last names of Gyeongju; however, being transferred to Tongcheon, the name came to belong to Tongcheon. Concerning Tongcheon Choi’s family, in the midst of the chaotic situation, the invasion of northern wild men and Japanese raiders during late Goryeo and early Joseon, Choi Rok (崔錄) entered the government office and raised the level of the family. Later, as Choi Un-hae (崔雲海) was appointed as Gaegukwonjonggongsin and Choi Yoon-deok rose to the rank of Jeongseung, Tongcheon Choi’s family established itself as a prestigious family in early Joseon which was rare for the Muban family.
Choi Yoon-deok was the one that led the primetime of Tongcheon Choi’s family. Being in crucial military positions in the reigns of King Taejong and Sejong, Choi Yoon-deok made great contributions to conquering Tsushima Island and defending Yeojin. Particularly, in 1433, he was inducted into Woouijeong making great contributions as the person in charge of conquering Yeojin. From the conquest of Yeojin to 1435, he rose to the rank of Jwauijeong leading the policy against Yeojin and the establishment of border defenses. In the process, Choi Yoon-deok led the development of 4 Gun, one of Sejong’s representative achievements. Meanwhile, Choi Yoon-deok built defense facilities against Japanese raiders and Yeojin through aggressive fortress building in Hasamdo and the northern regions.
Choi Yoon-deok carried out his duties as a military chief with expertise and diligence. Such deeds of his were sufficient to earn King Sejong’s trust. As a result, he was able to rise to the rank of Jeongseung sensationally as Muban. After the death of King Sejong, he was enshrined in Gongsindang (功臣堂) and was recognized as a subject representing the reign of King Sejong and as a prestigious general representing Joseon at the national level. Such evaluation of the central government also influenced Sadaebu in Hyangchon, and though Choi Yoon-deok was not a Confucian scholar, shrines such as Cheoncheonsa (淸川祠) were built to memorialize him.

참고자료

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