• Journal of the Korean association of regional geographers
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.474-496
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• 2010

In this article I try to investigate fifteen place names presented in the area of Baekdu mountain and Duman river of "Daedongnyeojido". The aims of the investigation are to clear Jeongho Kim's understanding on the national boundary implicated in the map, to search the etymology of the place names, and to analyze the place names miswritten. Through the investigation it will be suggested that the map presents the idea of 'Tomun river = Duman river = Bungye river', and recognizes 'Abrok river-Jeonggyebi-Duman river' as the landmarks of the boundary between Joseon(Korea) and Qing(China). Through the etymological analysis of the place names it will be suggested that some place names(Bundonggang, Geongatoi, Sihuasan, Geolodong and Daedong) originated from Nuzhen(Manchurian), the other place names(Gulsan and Guambong) originated from Korean. The location of the place names will be suggested also.

• Journal of the Korean Geographical Society
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.571-605
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• 2015

This research revealed that 'Yipjiamlyu' in the Mukedeng's map is geographically 'a beginning point of underf low,' whose location is on the Heishigou's riverbed(E.L. 1,840m) in the NNE side of Daegakbong peak, and that 'Tomungangweon'(Heishigou) is one of the upstream reach of the Sungari River, which, according to historical documents and my fieldwork, Mukedeng also knew at the time of Yimjin(1712) Boundary Making and Demarcation(YBMD). These findings suggest the need to reinterpret the processes of YBMD. Mukedeng set up the Baekdusanjeonggyeobi on the mistaken assumptions on the linkage of 'Yipjiamlyu' and Tumen River. It should have been set up on the Daeyeonjibong peak. Mukedeng found the 'Yipjiamlyu' on the riverbed of 'Tomungangweon'(Heishigou), went downstream, and realized that this river did not flow into the Tumen River. During the search for the source of Tumen River, he found a water stream, and regarded it as the source of Tumen River. He speculated that the water at the 'Yipjiamlyu' flows through the underground to reappear at the his 'identified' source of Tumen River. Consequently, he adjured the construction of demarcation from Baekdusanjeonggyeobi through 'Yipjiamlyu' to the his 'identified' source of Tumen River. The water stream pointed as the source of Tumen River, however, was not part of the upstream reach of Tumen River. Actually, Korean officials, who were in charge of establishing boundary features, set up the demarcation from Baekdusanjeonggyeobi through Huanghuasongdianzi to the true source of Tumen River identified by themselves, which Mukedeng had not intended. The ambiguity of the location of 'Yipjiamlyu' caused a difference between Mukedeng's original request and Korean officials' implementation in the boundary demarcation. Throughout the whole processes of YBMD, Korea(Joseon) and China(Qing) both mistook the real geography of the river system. Their understanding on Yalu River system was correct. But the identification of the spring source of the Tumen River by Korean participants was the only geographically correct result related on this river system in YBMD.