earticle

영어

In this paper I review the research trends in Korean Keonkuk myths(建國神話) during the period covering from Japanese occupation in 1920s up until now. Based on the review, I propose the future research directions in this research area. Although my review is grounded on the research tradition in Keonkuk myths, I do not simply enumerate and describe past studies in historical sequence but instead critically review them according to major points of debate or issues. In this way, one can understand the issues that have been emphasized in research tradition and the resulting problems to be resolved.
A careful study of books dealing with Keonkuk myths reveals that it is only the recent time when all Keonkuk myths are completely documented in one single book. I classify the research trends into four categories and examine each of the four categories : 1) research focusing on contents or typology, 2) research dealing with structural features, formation and reformation, meaning and symbols of Keonkuk myths, 3) research comparing with myths of other countries such as Japan, China, or Manchu, or showing the correlation with Korean 'musok myth(巫俗神話), 4) research dealing with individual Keonkuk myths of different times such as 'Tangun Myth', 'Zumong Myth'.
Finally, I present the future directions of research on Keonkuk myths. I assert 1) more materials need to be collected and compiled, 2) more research efforts should be exerted regarding the process of reformation and transmission to the next generation, 3) our own theory on Korean Keonkuk myths should be established, and 4) general and unique feature of korean Keonkuk myths need to be identified through comparison of ours with those of other East Asian people.