President
"In fact, our people have always loved the sea and exploited it generation after generation."
East Sea of Korea was the theatre of our ancestors not only in the period of Koryo dynasty but also in the days of the Feudal Joson Dynasty.
This can be found by the fact of active observations and fishing done by our people.
First of all, our ancestors observed and recorded about East Sea of Korea and carried out discussions using that data.
The movement of seawater was like a tide. (Taejong Silok Vol.29, the April of 15th year, the year of Imsin); in 1605, the color of the seawater became red. (Sonjo Silok Vol.189, the July of 38th year, the year of Kimhae); in 1647, the seawater flew in an opposite direction.(Injo Silok Vol.48, April of the 25th year, the year of jongchuk);in 1655, the seawater was found frozen again after it happened in 1565.(Hyojong Silok Vol.14, April of the 6th year, the year of Ulmyo); in 1702, the flow current of the seawater was found changed.(Sukjong Silok Vol.37, July of the 28th year, the year of Kyongsul); in 1737, there was again red tide in the sea. (Yongjo Silok Vol.46, November of the 13th year, the year of Byongjin)
Here are some examples of the discussions; in 1450, Jong Rin Ji debated with a person from Ming Dynasty of China about the absence of flux in the East Sea.(SejongSilok Vol.127, January of 32nd year, the year of Imja); in the ruling periods of King Songjong(1470-1494), King Injo(1623-1649), King Yongjo(1725-1777), there were discussions about the reason of the absence of flux in East Sea of Korea in royal lessons.
All these facts show that the East Sea was the subject of our ancestors' quest and research.
The fact that East Sea of Korea was our ancestors' theater in the Feudal Joson Dynasty can be found by the proof of active fishing of our ancestors in the sea.
Our ancestors got a good catch of many sea fishes and expanded fishing grounds.In 15th century, our ancestors caught a lot of fishes in the front seas of Hamkil Province, Kangwon Province, Kyongsang Province. Caught fishes included mackerel herring, salmon, dace, pond smelt etc.
According to the data, in summer of 1693, An Ryong Bok, a waterway guide, landed of Ullung Islet after they were confronted by storm, together with 40 people who went fishing.
According to "RimWonSipRyukJi", from late 18th century to the first half of 19th century, our ancestors caught new fishes like filefish, ray, sandfish, and anchovy.
In particular, the production of walleye Pollack which had been caught in the Myongchon area at the coast of the East Sea, boomed thus leading to the formation of fishing ground ranging from Hongwon of South Hamgyong Province to Ryongdae of Tanchon in 1902-1903.
In conclusion, all these mentioned facts clearly show that East Sea of Korea was the major trading zone of our ancestors in the Feudal Joson Dynasty.
