『조선보건사를 통해 살펴본 북한의 전통의학 인식

North Korea s Perception of Korean Traditional Medicine in Joseonbogeonsa[History of Public Health in Joseon Korea] - Focusing on Premodern Medical History -

Objectives :The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the significance of the Joseonbogeonsa by examining North Korea’s perspective in its documentation of the history of medicine, and to further understand North Korea’s perception of Korean Traditional Medicine. Methods : The focus of examination was on the perspective of historical description as shown in the first chapter of the Joseonbogeonsa. Its unique features were made clear through comparison with historical texts of medicine of South Korea such as the History of Medicine in Korea, and the History of Korean Medicine. In order to grasp the current of historical research in North Korea, various Traditional Medicine related dictionaries and academic journals of North Korea along with the Joseontongsa were examined. Results & Conclusions : The historical views of the Joseonbogeonsa could be categorized as nation-focused, materialistic, and nationalistic. These are core elements that make up North Korea’s self-reliance ideology, which influenced the interpretation of medical facts. While the text is valuable in that it introduced new historical material along with its interpretation, and argued for a more independent development of Traditional Medicine, its limitation of interpreting historical material from a conclusive, pre-determined standpoint cannot be overlooked. The North Korean ‘Goryeo Medicine’ is defined by its historical nature rather than academic characteristics, and its significance is determined by its clinical efficacy rather than theoretical value.