Warfare in Korean History
A history of warfare in Korea.
Location: North Korea; South Korea
Traditions of Warfare in Korea
For thousands of years, Korea has been a small nation surrounded by giants. With Mongolia, China, Japan, and Russia for neighbors, its independence was never guaranteed. Records reveal around 900 invasions of Korea over 2,000 years. Despite these many attempts, few invaders reached the heart of the peninsula. Korea's people defended themselves through an impressive military force and political alliances. Its long history of war prompted the isolationist policies that would lead to the nickname "Hermit Kingdom."[1]
Today, mountain forts and walled cities still dot North and South Korea, remnants of a past when enemies arrived on horseback. The 20th century upended this traditional model of warfare. Annexed by Japan in 1910, the country found itself at the center of multiple global conflicts. After regaining its independence in World War II, Korea fell into a civil war fuelled by Cold War interests. The conflict has not been resolved.
Combat in the Three Kingdoms and Goryeo Periods
The Three Kingdom and Goryeo periods marked uncertain times for Korea. Wave after wave of invaders from western steppes poured into the peninsula. To turn them back, early Korean dynasties developed strong military cultures specializing in defense. They built fortresses on top of mountains, giving them a key advantage in their native terrain. On the plains, armored horses gave skilled mounted archers an advantage. Armor likely reached Japan through Korea.[2][3]
Warfare in the Joseon Dynasty
The yangban scholars of Joseon were initially divided into two distinct groups. The first, the munban, served as civil bureaucrats. The second, the muban, devoted their lives to warfare. The Joseon dynasty was a turbulent period in Korean history. While it had long been a loyal tributary state to China, Japan was rising in the east. The threat pushed Korea to develop cutting-edge weapons like cannons and prepare its citizens for home defense.
Archery remained a valued skill. The yangban were required to practice it whenever they had the time. After the 16th century, this training expanded to rural villages through state-sponsored archery clubs. Korean bows were smaller than Chinese ones, typically made from bamboo, wood, and horn. Although powerful, these bows could be difficult to shoot precisely. South Korea continues to perform well in archery competitions, most notably through its women's Olympics team.[4]
Despite its innovations and mandatory training, Joseon society was not war-like at heart. Unlike the civil exam, both commoners and yangban could take the military test. Many more passed the military exam than the civil one. While peasants hoped to improve their lot in life through military posts, the yangban viewed them as a last resort. As a result, the Joseon military was mostly staffed by its lesser talent. In 1592, Japan invaded Korea. The invasion ended in 1598, but only after reinforcements arrived from China.[5]
Joseon Turtle Ships
Korea also developed a unique naval tradition. Japanese pirates threatened Korea's coasts since at least 1220 CE. In response, military engineers mounted sophisticated cannons to their ships. Korea's most famous warship is the turtle ship, or geobukseon. Developed by Admiral Yi Sunshin in the late 16th century, the armored ships carried five different types of cannons. They were nearly impossible to board. The dragon's head at the prow shot fire or cannon shot from its mouth. The ships were fast, agile, and ideal for ramming. The first turtle ship was completed just one day before the 1592 invasion. They remained in use until the 19th century.[6]
The Korean War
The 20th century forever changed Korea. Japan's annexation of Korea in 1910 made the nation an unwilling stage in World War II. With the defeat of the Japanese in 1945, Korea was divided in two along the thirty-eighth parallel. The United States vowed to protect the South, while the Soviet Union through China claimed the North. The resulting Cold-War struggle led to the Korean War, a bloody conflict among a divided people.
The Korean War is ongoing. Both sides have worked out an uneasy truce, enforced along a nearly abandoned DMZ.[7] In North Korea, young men and women both participate in mandatory service. Men serve in the army for 10 to 12 years, women for seven. South Korea conscripts young men for two years. Despite repeated attempts to negotiate peace, the two nationare still officially at war.[8][9]
Bibliography
South Korea Diplomatic Handbook (Washington, DC: International Business Publ., 2010), 20-30.
Michael J. Seth, A History of Korea: From Antiquity to the Present (Lanham: Rowman & Littlefield, 2011), 36-41.
Kim Seon-mi and Shim Seol-a, World Heritage in Korea: 1995-2011 (Daejeon: Cultural Heritage Administration, Republic of Korea, 2011), 64-66.
Charles E. Grayson, Mary French, and Michael J. O'Brien, Traditional Archery from Six Continents the Charles E. Grayson Collection (Columbia: University of Missouri Press, 2007).
Seth, 160-167.
Reg G. Grant, Battle at Sea: 3,000 Years of Naval Warfare (New York: DK Pub., 2011), 108-110.
Bruce Cumings, The Korean War: A History (New York, NY: Modern Library, 2011).
Lauren Frayer, "'I Was Shocked By Freedom': Defectors Reflect On Life In North Korea," NPR, May 26, 2017, NPR, accessed June 01, 2017.
Gene Kim and Will Wei, "South Korea Requires All Males to Serve in the Military - Here's What It's Like," Business Insider, May 21, 2017, Business Insider, accessed June 01, 2017.
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