Korea's military history spans thousands of years, beginning with the ancient nation of Gojoseon and continuing into the present day with the countries of North Korea and South Korea, and is notable for its many successful triumphs over invaders.
Throughout its history, Korea has boasted numerous exceptional leaders who gained outstanding victories against numerically superior enemies. Famed leaders credited with defending Korea against foreign invasions include: Ŭlchi Mundŏk of Goguryeo, who defeated Sui China during the Goguryeo–Sui War; Yŏn Kaesomun of Goguryeo, who defeated Emperor Taizong of Tang China during the Goguryeo–Tang War; "After the Tang dynasty succeeded the Sui, the second Tang emperor also tried to bring Goguryeo under its control, launching an unsuccessful attack in 645. Goguryeo repelled a second invasion in 662 with victories by the general Yeon Gaesomun." Kang Kam-ch'an of Goryeo, who defeated the Khitan Empire during the Goryeo-Khitan War; "Later, in 1018, however, a third large-scale invasion from the Khitan was thwarted by Goryeo forces led by the general Gang Gamchan (948-1031). The Khitan thereafter gave up trying to subjugate Goryeo by force." Ch'oe Yŏng and Yi Sŏnggye of Goryeo, who defeated the Red Turbans during the Red Turban Invasions; "Yi Sŏng-gye himself won advancement through his success in the numerous battles of his day. He played a major role in repulsing the attacks of the Red Turban bandits and Japanese marauders, as well as in the campaign against the Yüan Tung-ning Commandery in Manchuria." and Yi Sun-shin of Joseon, who defeated the Japanese at sea during the Imjin War.
Other notable leaders include: Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo, who created a great empire in Northeast Asia through conquest, and subjugated the other Korean kingdoms of Baekje, Silla and Gaya to bring about a brief unification of the Three Kingdoms of Korea; Geunchogo of Baekje, who captured Pyongyang and established overseas territories to control much of the Korean Peninsula and dominate the seas; "Then, in 371, Paekche struck northward into the Koguryŏ domain as far as Pyŏngyang, killing the Koguryŏ king, Kogugwŏn, in the course of the campaign. Paekche thus came to hold sway over a sizeable portion of the Korean Peninsula, including all the modern provinces of Kyŏnggi, Ch'ungch'ŏng, and Chŏlla, as well as parts of Hwanghae and Kangwŏn. Furthermore, King Kŭn Ch'ogo solidified his international position by making overtures to the Eastern Chin state in the Yangtze river region and to the Wa people in Japan." Munmu and Kim Yu-sin of Silla, who united the Three Kingdoms of Korea and defeated Tang China to gain complete control of the Korean peninsula; "In 674 and 675 Tang forces under Liu Rengui attacked Silla itself. Chinese histories record that Liu was victorious and forced the king of Silla to sue for peace, while Korean historians report the defeat of the Chinese armies. The fact that the Tang government found it necessary to withdraw the headquarters of its Korean protectorate to the Liao River valley in the early months of 676 suggests that the Korean version is probably closer to the truth. Silla was left in uncontested control of almost the whole of the Korean Peninsula, and there was no great Tang campaign to recover what had been won with such difficulty and so quickly lost." Dae Jo-yeong, who created Balhae from Goguryeo's ashes and reconquered Goguryeo lands lost during the Goguryeo-Tang War; Jang Bogo of Later Silla, who created a maritime empire and commanded a powerful fleet; "Using his official position and his immense military influence, Jang Bo-go amassed substantial wealth by controlling maritime trade between Silla, Tang and Japan. The famous American scholar of Asian history, Edwin O. Reischauer hailed Jang Bo-go as the trade prince of the maritime commerce empire. As Jang emerged as a formidable force in the sea, high-ranking officials in the Silla capital, Gyeongju, could no longer ignore him. Jang Bo-go ruled his domain with absolute political, military and economic autonomy." Wang Kŏn, who united the Later Three Kingdoms of Korea and established Goryeo as the successor to Goguryeo; "General Wang Kŏn founded a new dynasty in 918. He named it Koryŏ, symbolizing that it was the successor to Koguryŏ." and Yun Kwan of Goryeo, who defeated the Jurchens and constructed nine fortresses in Manchuria.
During the Cold War, South Korean troops actively participated in the Vietnam War, contributing the second largest foreign military contingent after the United States. North Korea also contributed soldiers, military equipment and advisors to several conflicts during the Cold War in support of the Communist bloc, including the Yom Kippur War, Ethiopian Civil War, and Ugandan Bush War.
Today, both North Korea and South Korea field some of the largest and most lethal armies in the world. On one hand, North Korea is widely suspected of having nuclear weapons, as well as other weapons of mass destruction. South Korea, for its part, is equipped with a sophisticated conventional military with state-of-the-art weapons. South Korea currently serves in several UN peacekeeping missions around the world. The South Korean military enjoys military alliances with other countries, particularly the United States.
Timeline Gojoseon Gojoseon–Yan War – 4th century B.C. Han conquest of Gojoseon – 109–108 BC
Buyeo Mohe conquest
Proto–Three Kingdoms of Korea Goguryeo Continuous battles with the Four Commanderies of Han Battle of Jwawon Xuantu Conquest – 302 Lelang Conquest – 313 Daifang Conquest – 314 Gongsun Du's Campaign against Goguryeo – 190 Goguryeo-Wei War – 244 Xianbei Conquest Khitan Conquest
Baekje Malgal Conquest Conquest of Mahan by Baekje
Silla Conquest of Jinhan by Silla Campaign with Gaya
Gaya Campaign with Silla
Three Kingdoms period Goguryeo campaigns Campaign of Geunchogo of Baekje: Conquest of Pyongyang Baekje Campaign of Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo Attack from Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo Gaya confederacy Campaign Goguryeo–Yamato War Campaigns of Gwanggaeto the Great of Goguryeo Xianbei Campaign Malgal Conquest Khitan Conquest Buyeo Conquest
Goguryeo, Baekje–Silla Alliance War Campaign of Jangsu of Goguryeo against Silla and Baekje Invasion of Baekje–Silla alliance – 475 Campaign of Baekje–Silla–Gaya armies against Goguryeo Battle of Gwansan – 554 Gaya confederacy Annexation – 532/562
Other conflicts The Baekje Conquest of Tamna – 498 The Silla Conquest of Usan – 512
Goguryeo–Sui War (598–614) Goguryeo–Sui War – 598
Goguryeo–Tang War (645–668) First conflict of the Goguryeo–Tang War – 645 Battle of Ansi — 645 Battle of Mount Jupil — 645 Battle of Sasu — 662 Battle of Geumsan — 667 Including Goguryeo and Baekje alliance against Tang and Silla
Baekje–Tang War (660–663) Baekje–Tang War – 660
Silla–Tang War (668–676) Other rebellions from Baekje and Goguryeo people Battle of Maeso fortress
North South States period
Balhae Battle of Tianmenling – War of Foundation – 698 Balhae expedition to Dengzhou – 732 Balhae-Silla Conflicts Conquest of Balhae by Khitan – 926
Silla (676–935) Campaigns of Chang Pogo Kim Hŏnch'ang Rebellion Red Pants Rebellion Ungjin Commandery Conquest – 676 Gyerim Territory Area Command Conquest – 735 Protectorate General to Pacify the East Conquest – 773 Ajagae Rebellion Ki Hwŏn Rebellion Yang Kil Rebellion Later Three Kingdoms – 900~936
Goryeo dynasty Goryeo wars Northern Expansion of Manchuria Goryeo-Khitan War First conflict in the Goryeo–Khitan War Second conflict in the Goryeo–Khitan War Third conflict in the Goryeo–Khitan War (see also Battle of Gwiju) Campaigns of General Yun Kwan against the Jurchens (see also Korean-Jurchen border conflicts) Mongol invasions of Korea Sambyeolcho Rebellion Mongol invasions of Japan First Mongol invasion of Japan Second Mongol invasion of Japan Dongnyeong Conquest – 1290 Ssangseong Conquest – 1356 Red Turban invasions of Goryeo Liaoyang campaign – 1370 War against Japanese piracy 1st Tsushima invasion
Internal strife Yi Cha-gyŏm Rebellion Myo Cheong Rebellion Military Coup of 1170 Kim Po-dang Rebellion Cho Wi-ch'ong Rebellion Mangi and Mangsoi Rebellion Kim Sami and Hyosim Rebellion Slave rebellion by Manjeok Wihwado Retreat
Joseon dynasty Conflicts 2nd Tsushima Conquest (Gihae Eastern expedition) – 1419 Japanese riots in Southeast Korea (1510) Seven Year War (Imjin) – 1592–1598 Northern expedition against Manchus (see also Korean-Jurchen border conflicts) Later Jin invasion of Joseon – 1627 Qing invasion of Joseon – 1636 Russian-Manchu border conflicts – 1654–1658 French campaign against Korea General Sherman Incident United States expedition to Korea Ganghwa Island incident
Nationwide Internal strifes Yi Si-ae's Rebellion Yi Gwal's Rebellion Hong Gyeong-Rae's Rebellion Imo Incident Donghak Peasant Revolution
Korean Empire Conflicts Korean invasion of Manchuria Namdaemun Battle
1910–1945: Colonial period Campaigns of Independence Forces Battle of Qingshanli Battle of Fengwudong Free City Incident Actions of Korean Liberation Army South-East Asian theatre of World War II
After 1945 Korean War Korean DMZ Conflict Vietnam War South Korea in the Vietnam War Gulf War War in Afghanistan Iraq War Zaytun Division North Korean involvement in the Russo-Ukrainian war (2022–present)
See also History of Korea Military of North Korea Military of South Korea Naval history of Korea List of battles of Korea List of wars involving South Korea North Korea and weapons of mass destruction War Memorial of Korea
References