Military history of Korea

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Korea's military history spans back thousands of years, beginning with the early struggles of the ancient Kingdom of Gojoseon. Its long history consists of the many successful repulsions of major invasions and defensive against foreign invasions. Sterling examples of Korean military prowess are the major campaigns during the time of Gojoseon, Three Kingdoms (namely Goguryeo, Baekje, Silla), as well as those of the subsequent Kingdoms of Unified Silla, Balhae, Goryeo, Joseon, and more recently, military developments in both North and South Korea. Throughout her history, Korea has boasted many exceptional generals and military commanders who undertook victorious military campaigns against numerically superior enemies. Chief among them are Gwanggaeto the Great and Eulji Mundeok and Yeon Gaesomun of Goguryeo, Kim Yu-Shin of Silla, Dae JoYoung of Balhae, Jang Bo Go of Unified Silla, Gang Gam-chan and Yoon Gwan during the Goryeo period, and Yi Sun-Sin during the late Joseon dynasty.

Today, both North 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. In addition, South Korean troops actively participated in the Vietnam War and are currently serving in various UN peacekeeping missions around the world. The South Korean military enjoys military alliances with other countries, particularly the United States.

Military history

Gojoseon

Part of a series on the
History of Korea
Prehistory
Jeulmun Mumun
Ancient
Gojoseon Jin state
Proto–Three Kingdoms
Buyeo Goguryeo Okjeo Dongye Samhan Ma Byeon Jin Four Commanderies of Han
Three Kingdoms
Goguryeo 37 BC–668 AD Baekje 18 BC–660 AD Silla 57 BC–935 AD Gaya confederacy 42–562
North and South States
Unified Silla 668–935 Balhae 698–926
Later Three Kingdoms
Later Baekje 892–936 Taebong (Later Goguryeo) 901–918 Silla 57 BC–935 AD
Unitary dynastic period
Goryeo 918–1392 Joseon 1392–1897 Korean Empire 1897–1910
Colonial period
Japanese rule 1910–45 Provisional Government 1919–48
Division of Korea
Military Governments 1945–48 North Korea 1948–present South Korea 1948–present
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• Gojoseon–Yan War - 4th century BCE
• Gojoseon-Han War – 108 BCE

Buyeo

• Mohe conquest

Proto–Three Kingdoms of Korea

Goguryeo

• Continuous battles with the Four Commanderies of Han
  • Battle of Jwa-won
• Gongsun Du's Campaign against Goguryeo – 190
• Goguryeo-Wei War – 244
• Lelang Conquest – 313
• Xianbei Conquest
• Khitan Conquest
• Malgal Conquest

Baekje

• Malgal Conquest
• Jinhan Conquest by Silla

Silla

• Mahan Conquest by Goi of Baekje
• Gaya–Silla War

Gaya

• Campaign with Silla against Baekje

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
• 1st Baekje (with Gaya Confederacy) – Silla War(Battle of Gwansansung) – 554
• Gaya Confederacy Annexation – 532/562

Other conflicts

• The Baekje Conquest of Tamla – 498
• The Silla Conquest of Usan – 512

Goguryeo-Sui War (598–614)

• Goguryeo-Sui War – 598

Goguryeo-Tang War (645–668)

• Goguryeo-Tang War – 645

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 Cheonmun-ryeong – War of Foundation – 698
• Military campaign against Tang – 732
• Balhae-Silla Conflict
• Extension of Balhae's sphere of influence over the Malgal tribes
• Khitan Invasion(Collapse of Balhae) – 926

Silla (668–935)

• Campaigns of Jang Bogo
• Kim Heonchang Rebellion
• Red Pants Rebellion
• Ajagae Rebellion
• Gihwon Rebellion (see also Gi Hwon)
• Yanggil Rebellion (see also Yang Gil)
• 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 Kwiju)
• Campaigns of Gen. Yoon Gwan against Jurchens (see also Korean-Jurchen border conflicts)
• Goryeo warrior rebellion
• Mongol invasions of Korea
• Sambyeolcho contend against Mongols
• Mongol invasions of Japan
  • First Mongol invasion of Japan
  • Second Mongol invasion of Japan
• Red Turban invasions of Goryeo
• War against Japanese piracy
  • 1st Tsushima invasion
• Liaodong Campaign-Wihwado Revolution (coup by Yi Songgye)

Internal strife

• Yi Ja-gyeom Rebellion
• Myo Cheong Rebellion
• Military Coup of 1170
• Kim Bodang Rebellion
• Jo Wichong Rebellion
• Mangi and Mangsoi Rebellion
• Kim Sami and Hyosim Rebellion
• Slave Rebellions of Goryeo

Joseon Dynasty

Conflicts

• 2nd Tsushima Conquest (Ōei Invasion) – 1419
• Sampo Waeran (small-scale Korea-Japanese War) – 1510
• Seven Year War (Imjin) – 1592–1598
• Northern Expansion against Jurchens (see also Korean-Jurchen border conflicts)
• Jeongmyo Horan (1st Manchu Invasion) – 1627
• Byeongja Horan (2nd Manchu Invasion) – 1636
• Russian Campaign which is part of Russian-Manchu border conflicts – 1654–1658
• Byeongin Yangyo
• General Sherman Incident
• Sinmi Yangyo
• Righteous army Actions

Nationwide Internal strifes

• Imo Incident
• Donghak Peasant Revolution

1910–1945: Colonial Korea

• Campaigns of Independence Forces
  • Battle of Cheongsanri
  • Battle at Luozigou
  • Battle at Dadianzi
  • Battle of Bongohdong
  • Battle of Samdunja
• Righteous army
• Actions of Korean Liberation Army

After 1945

• Korean War
• Vietnam War
• Yom Kippur War
• Gulf War
• War in Afghanistan
• Iraq War

See also

• History of Korea
• Military of South Korea
• Naval history of Korea
• List of battles of Korea
• War Memorial of Korea

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