There was a Korean once, called Song Sang-in, whose mind was upright
and whose spirit was true. He hated witches with all his might, and
regarded them as deceivers of the people. "By their so-called prayers,"
said he, "they devour the people's goods. There is no limit to the
foolishness and extravagance that accompanies them. This doctrine of
theirs is all nonsense. Would that I could rid the earth of them and
wipe out their names for ever."
Some time later Song was appointed magistrate of Nam Won County in
Chulla Province. On his arrival he issued the following order: "If
any witch is found in this county, let her be beaten to death." The
whole place was so thoroughly spied upon that all the witches made
their escape to other prefectures. The magistrate thought, "Now we
are rid of them, and that ends the matter for this county at any rate."
On a certain day he went out for a walk, and rested for a time at
Kwang-han Pavilion. As he looked out from his coign of vantage,
he saw a woman approaching on horseback with a witch's drum on her
head. He looked intently to make sure, and to his astonishment he
saw that she was indeed a mutang (witch). He sent a yamen-runner
to have her arrested, and when she was brought before him he asked,
"Are you a mutang?"