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Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
ZENODO
Preprint . 2026
License: CC BY
Data sources: Datacite
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Incommensurable Spatial Reference Systems in Korean Historical Geography

Authors: Jang, GoodLodil;

Incommensurable Spatial Reference Systems in Korean Historical Geography

Abstract

This paper examines whether shared toponyms appearing in both the Goryeosa and the Geographical Treatise of the Veritable Records of King Sejong (Sejong Sillok Jiriji) can be methodologically understood as referring to the same spatial entities. While previous studies have often treated the coexistence of identical place names as evidence of a shared geographical space described through different narrative styles, this study questions the validity of that assumption. The paper argues that establishing spatial identity requires a set of shared reference criteria, including common reference points, commensurable concepts of distance, consistent directional frameworks, and comparable spatial hierarchies. Through a comparative examination of the two texts, it demonstrates that these conditions are not met. The Goryeosa constructs space through relational and narrative logics centered on events and movement, whereas the Sejong Sillok Jiriji presupposes a standardized administrative spatial framework. As a result, the spatial reference systems underlying the two texts do not share a common metric by which spatial identity can be determined. This condition is defined as incommensurability between spatial reference systems. Consequently, the presence of shared toponyms does not, in itself, warrant the conclusion that the two texts refer to the same spatial coordinates. This study does not seek to determine whether particular place names correspond to the same physical locations. Rather, it aims to clarify the methodological conditions required for such determinations to be possible. By doing so, it explains why direct spatial correspondence between the Goryeosa and the Sejong Sillok Jiriji cannot be assumed without prior methodological justification. 본 논문은 『고려사』와 『세종실록지리지』에 공통으로 등장하는 지명이 동일한 공간을 지시한다고 판단할 수 있는지의 문제를 방법론적으로 검토한다. 기존 연구에서 동일 지명의 병존은 종종 동일 공간의 상이한 기술로 이해되어 왔으나, 본 연구는 그러한 해석이 성립하기 위해 요구되는 조건 자체를 분석 대상으로 삼는다. 본 논문은 공간 동일성 판단을 위해서는 공통 기준점, 거리 개념, 방향 체계, 공간 위계 등 최소한의 공통 기준 척도가 필요함을 전제로 하고, 『고려사』와 『세종실록지리지』가 전제하는 공간 참조 체계가 이러한 기준을 공유하지 않음을 논증한다. 『고려사』는 사건과 이동을 중심으로 한 관계적·서사적 공간 논리에 기반하는 반면, 『세종실록지리지』는 행정 단위와 위계를 중심으로 한 표준화된 공간 체계를 전제한다. 이로 인해 두 문헌의 공간 서술은 상호 비교의 대상이 될 수는 있으나, 동일한 공간 좌표를 지시한다고 판정할 수 있는 공통 척도를 제공하지 않는다. 본 논문은 이러한 상태를 공간 참조 체계의 비공약성(incommensurability)으로 규정하며, 공통 지명의 존재가 곧 공통 공간의 존재를 의미하지 않음을 밝힌다. 본 연구는 특정 지명이 실제로 동일한 공간을 가리키는지 여부를 단정하지 않으며, 그러한 판단이 가능하기 위해 필요한 방법론적 조건을 명확히 하는 데 목적을 둔다. 이를 통해 『고려사』와 『세종실록지리지』를 동일한 공간 좌표 체계 아래 직접 대응시키는 해석이 왜 신중함을 요구하는지를 이론적으로 제시한다.

One-line summary Shared toponyms do not guarantee shared space when spatial reference systems lack a common metric. 본 논문은 공통 지명의 병존이 공간 동일성을 보장하지 않으며, 그 이유가 두 문헌의 공간 참조 체계가 비공약적이기 때문임을 논증한다.

Keywords

Sejong Sillok Jiriji, incommensurability, 세종실록지리지, Goryeosa, 고려사

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selected citations
These citations are derived from selected sources.
This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Citations provided by BIP!
popularity
This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Popularity provided by BIP!
influence
This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).
BIP!Influence provided by BIP!
impulse
This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.
BIP!Impulse provided by BIP!
0
Average
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