Journal of the Korean Geographical Society ISSN:1225-6633(Print) 대한지리학회지

This study explores Kim Woosik’s border exploration process carried out in twice in 1883 and tries to identify its implication for the border issues. In this paper, it was pointed out that previous studies have misinterpreted Kim’s border exploration records. Therefore, a more accurate translation and interpretation was suggested by confirming the geographical entities mentioned in his records and restoring the exploration route. As a result, the following points were confirmed. First, Kim Woosik’s report on the distribution of Yimjin (1712) border markers was based on facts and not fabricated. Second, his report that the river originates from Baekdusanjeonggyebi stele flows into the Songhua River was also grounded in reality and not fabricated. Third, he found that the ‘Tomun River’ is not connected with the ‘Bungye River’ and consequently not a tributary of the Duman (Tumen) River. His reference to the ‘Bungye River’ was only a suggestion concerning the necessity of a closer geographical investigation on the area beyond the Duman (Tumen) River. After all, the results of his border exploration did not confirm that Gando was Joseon’s territory, nonetheless, his exploration has significance in that it demonstrates a broader geographical perception towards the opposite region of the Duman (Tumen) River among Koreans.